Search results for "Functionality" in Home Design Ideas

Relocating from their home in Brisbane, Australia with ocean views to the Pacific, our clients envisioned a refresh for their new lakefront cottage on Pine Lake in West Bloomfield, Michigan. Completed in July 2024, we created new spaces, reimagined old ones, and even swapped places for a primary bedroom and its en suite bath.
Our goal was to create a serene and soothing spa- like experience for the bathroom, all while maintaining gorgeous lake views. But this reconfiguration presented some challenges. The primary bedroom was oversized, while its adjacent bath was tiny and crowded. We completely flipped the locations of the bedroom and bathroom, even rerouting plumbing over the bar in the lower level to accommodate the freestanding tub.
To maximize space, we designed large, walk-in dressing pantries that are as functional as they are beautiful, and lead to the large dual custom vanity. The vanity itself is freestanding to provide access for hand towel bath hardware on its sides. The his-and-hers unit contains built-in dividers, laundry hampers and trash pullouts to maximize its function. An enclosed water closet allows for privacy in the open concept bathroom, and is placed beyond the cabinetry.
The star of this space is the large enclosed wet room. As the focal point of the bathroom, its oversized tiled walls and deep built-in bench allow for a steam or soaking in the tub while enjoying stunning lake views. The wet room is spacious and serene, and perfect for an end to a Michigan winter day.

Example of a transitional master gray tile gray floor bathroom design in Los Angeles with white walls and a hinged shower door

This project was designed to accommodate the client’s wish to have a traditional and functional barn that could also serve as a backdrop for social and corporate functions. Several years after it’s completion, this has become just the case as the clients routinely host everything from fundraisers to cooking demonstrations to political functions in the barn and outdoor spaces. In addition to the barn, Axial Arts designed an indoor arena, cattle & hay barn, and a professional grade equipment workshop with living quarters above it. The indoor arena includes a 100′ x 200′ riding arena as well as a side space that includes bleacher space for clinics and several open rail stalls. The hay & cattle barn is split level with 3 bays on the top level that accommodates tractors and front loaders as well as a significant tonnage of hay. The lower level opens to grade below with cattle pens and equipment for breeding and calving. The cattle handling systems and stocks both outside and inside were designed by Temple Grandin- renowned bestselling author, autism activist, and consultant to the livestock industry on animal behavior. This project was recently featured in Cowboy & Indians Magazine. As the case with most of our projects, Axial Arts received this commission after being recommended by a past client.
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Example of a mid-sized danish master light wood floor bedroom design in London with white walls and no fireplace

This Winchester home was love at first sight for this young family of four. The layout lacked function, had no master suite to speak of, an antiquated kitchen, non-existent connection to the outdoor living space and an absentee mud room… yes, true love. Windhill Builders to the rescue! Design and build a sanctuary that accommodates the daily, sometimes chaotic lifestyle of a busy family that provides practical function, exceptional finishes and pure comfort. We think the photos tell the story of this happy ending. Feast your eyes on the kitchen with its crisp, clean finishes and black accents that carry throughout the home. The Imperial Danby Honed Marble countertops, floating shelves, contrasting island painted in Benjamin Moore Timberwolfe add drama to this beautiful space. Flow around the kitchen, cozy family room, coffee & wine station, pantry, and work space all invite and connect you to the magnificent outdoor living room complete with gilded iron statement fixture. It’s irresistible! The master suite indulges with its dreamy slumber shades of grey, walk-in closet perfect for a princess and a glorious bath to wash away the day. Once an absentee mudroom, now steals the show with its black built-ins, gold leaf pendant lighting and unique cement tile. The picture-book New England front porch, adorned with rocking chairs provides the classic setting for ‘summering’ with a glass of cold lemonade.
Joyelle West Photography

Inspiration for a timeless l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen remodel in Portland Maine with flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an island and black countertops

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Columbus, OH
Structural Remodeling
Franklin County's Heavy Timber Specialists | Best of Houzz 2020!

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary 3/4 beige tile and matchstick tile alcove shower remodel in Other with flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, a one-piece toilet, an undermount sink, a hinged shower door and gray countertops

Our clients purchased this 1950 ranch style cottage knowing it needed to be updated. They fell in love with the location, being within walking distance to White Rock Lake. They wanted to redesign the layout of the house to improve the flow and function of the spaces while maintaining a cozy feel. They wanted to explore the idea of opening up the kitchen and possibly even relocating it. A laundry room and mudroom space needed to be added to that space, as well. Both bathrooms needed a complete update and they wanted to enlarge the master bath if possible, to have a double vanity and more efficient storage. With two small boys and one on the way, they ideally wanted to add a 3rd bedroom to the house within the existing footprint but were open to possibly designing an addition, if that wasn’t possible.
In the end, we gave them everything they wanted, without having to put an addition on to the home. They absolutely love the openness of their new kitchen and living spaces and we even added a small bar! They have their much-needed laundry room and mudroom off the back patio, so their “drop zone” is out of the way. We were able to add storage and double vanity to the master bathroom by enclosing what used to be a coat closet near the entryway and using that sq. ft. in the bathroom. The functionality of this house has completely changed and has definitely changed the lives of our clients for the better!

Photo: Carolyn Reyes © 2015 Houzz
Living room - eclectic living room idea in Los Angeles
Living room - eclectic living room idea in Los Angeles

This MandiCasa project exemplifies the art of making the most of petite kitchens, showing it is possible to fulfill the user’s every wish in both style and function, regardless of square footage.
For their apartment on New York’s Upper East Side, our client wanted their kitchen re-design to include a high-counter island that would open to the living room, providing a convenient area for preparing and enjoying meals. Aesthetically, they desired a more urban yet warm feel that would enhance the interior of their home.
Designers:
Lorena Polon, MandiCasa New York
Matthew Lee Interiors
Cabinetry: Rho and Yoga in Ghisa Urban lacquer and wood melamine
Appliances: Sub Zero/Wolf, Fisher Paykel DW, Galley workstation
Countertop: Dekton Rem by Cosentino

RnD Builders Inc - Custom Home Builders | Woodland Hills
Trendy kitchen photo in Los Angeles
Trendy kitchen photo in Los Angeles

Stacy Goldberg
Living room - transitional open concept brown floor living room idea in DC Metro with a bar and white walls
Living room - transitional open concept brown floor living room idea in DC Metro with a bar and white walls

Kohler Caxton under mount with bowls are accented by Water-works Studio Ludlow plumbing fixtures. Metal cross handles in a chrome finish adorn both bowls.
The Wellborn Estate Collection in maple with a Hanover door style and inset hinge Vanities support the beautiful Carrera white honed marble vanity tops with a simple eased edge. A large 1” beveled mirrors up to the ceiling with sconce cut-out were framed out matching trim– finishing the look and soften-ing the look of large mirrors.
A Kohler Sun struck freestanding soak tub is nestled between two wonderful windows and give view to the sky with a Velux CO-4 Solar powered Fresh Air Skylight. A Waterworks Studio Ludlow freestanding exposed tub filler with hand-shower and metal chrome cross handles continues the look.
The shower fixtures are the Waterworks Studio Lodlow and include both the wall shower arm and flange in chrome along with the hand shower. Two Moen body sprays add to the showering experience. Roeser’s signature niche for shower needs complete the functioning part of the shower. The beauty part is AE Tongue in chic tile in the “You don’t snow me”- 2.5 X 10.5 on shower walls to ceiling. Matching stone slabs were installed on the shower curb, niche sill and shelf along with the wall cap. A frameless custom shower door keeps the shower open and eloquent.
Tile floor was installed over heated flooring in the main bath with a Carrera Herringbone Mosaic on the bathroom flooring– as well the shower flooring.
To complete the room the AE Tongue in Chic tile was installed from the floor to 42” and finished with a pencil liner on top. A separate toilet room (not shown) gave privacy to the open floor plan. A Toto white elongated Bidet Washlet with night light, auto open and close, fan, deodorizer and dryer, to men-tion just a few of the features, was installed finishing this most eloquent, high-end, functional Master Bathroom.

Designed by Sheryl Manning of Reico Kitchen & Bath in Charlotte, NC in collaboration with Home Care & Remodeling, this multi-room design includes a kitchen, pantry and laundry room. The kitchen and pantry feature the Merillat Masterpiece Turner door style in the finishes Onyx and Barley. The laundry room features Merillat Basics Collins in a Cotton finish with Bally Butcher Block maple tops. Reico provided the design, cabinets and butcher block for this project.
“This remodel of a 1979 home was challenging but fun! The homeowner had a very clear idea of what they wanted, and chose a modern transitional look with a Parisian influence, utilizing the Onyx finish with Brushed Gold hardware, and natural wood floating shelves, finished in a light brown Barley stain,” said Sheryl.
“We utilized every space, opening up a large closet for the oven and pantry cabinet and a small closet to form an art/display niche. The laundry room was not functional, with just a small wall for the washer-dryer. We placed wall cabinets above, pulling them forward 6" for ease of access. We added a working pantry and counter space for small appliances with butcher-block tops.”
“What a fun remodel, functional and beautiful, and a pleasure to work with a client with a good eye for design!”
“Sheryl from Reico was easy to work with and responsive as we worked through the design process!” said the client. “We were able to achieve the French modern traditional style I dreamed of while also maximizing the space. The contrast of the black cabinets, quartz countertops and gold hardware made the kitchen modern, welcoming and a true statement piece in the home! What I love the most is the dramatic waterfall island! A close second favorite is how functional the storage is.”
“Sheryl was fantastic at placing the optimal storage solutions in each area. We are thrilled with how this dream kitchen became a reality and made our house feel like a home.”
Photos courtesy of Six Cents Media LLC.

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The homeowners built their traditional Colonial style home 17 years’ ago. It was in great shape but needed some updating. Over the years, their taste had drifted into a more contemporary realm, and they wanted our help to bridge the gap between traditional and modern.
We decided the layout of the kitchen worked well in the space and the cabinets were in good shape, so we opted to do a refresh with the kitchen. The original kitchen had blond maple cabinets and granite countertops. This was also a great opportunity to make some updates to the functionality that they were hoping to accomplish.
After re-finishing all the first floor wood floors with a gray stain, which helped to remove some of the red tones from the red oak, we painted the cabinetry Benjamin Moore “Repose Gray” a very soft light gray. The new countertops are hardworking quartz, and the waterfall countertop to the left of the sink gives a bit of the contemporary flavor.
We reworked the refrigerator wall to create more pantry storage and eliminated the double oven in favor of a single oven and a steam oven. The existing cooktop was replaced with a new range paired with a Venetian plaster hood above. The glossy finish from the hood is echoed in the pendant lights. A touch of gold in the lighting and hardware adds some contrast to the gray and white. A theme we repeated down to the smallest detail illustrated by the Jason Wu faucet by Brizo with its similar touches of white and gold (the arrival of which we eagerly awaited for months due to ripples in the supply chain – but worth it!).
The original breakfast room was pleasant enough with its windows looking into the backyard. Now with its colorful window treatments, new blue chairs and sculptural light fixture, this space flows seamlessly into the kitchen and gives more of a punch to the space.
The original butler’s pantry was functional but was also starting to show its age. The new space was inspired by a wallpaper selection that our client had set aside as a possibility for a future project. It worked perfectly with our pallet and gave a fun eclectic vibe to this functional space. We eliminated some upper cabinets in favor of open shelving and painted the cabinetry in a high gloss finish, added a beautiful quartzite countertop and some statement lighting. The new room is anything but cookie cutter.
Next the mudroom. You can see a peek of the mudroom across the way from the butler’s pantry which got a facelift with new paint, tile floor, lighting and hardware. Simple updates but a dramatic change! The first floor powder room got the glam treatment with its own update of wainscoting, wallpaper, console sink, fixtures and artwork. A great little introduction to what’s to come in the rest of the home.
The whole first floor now flows together in a cohesive pallet of green and blue, reflects the homeowner’s desire for a more modern aesthetic, and feels like a thoughtful and intentional evolution. Our clients were wonderful to work with! Their style meshed perfectly with our brand aesthetic which created the opportunity for wonderful things to happen. We know they will enjoy their remodel for many years to come!
Photography by Margaret Rajic Photography

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/

This beautiful French Provincial home is set on 10 acres, nestled perfectly in the oak trees. The original home was built in 1974 and had two large additions added; a great room in 1990 and a main floor master suite in 2001. This was my dream project: a full gut renovation of the entire 4,300 square foot home! I contracted the project myself, and we finished the interior remodel in just six months. The exterior received complete attention as well. The 1970s mottled brown brick went white to completely transform the look from dated to classic French. Inside, walls were removed and doorways widened to create an open floor plan that functions so well for everyday living as well as entertaining. The white walls and white trim make everything new, fresh and bright. It is so rewarding to see something old transformed into something new, more beautiful and more functional.

Photo by Thom Greene
Inspiration for a timeless kitchen remodel in Chicago with an integrated sink, white backsplash and subway tile backsplash
Inspiration for a timeless kitchen remodel in Chicago with an integrated sink, white backsplash and subway tile backsplash

Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized contemporary u-shaped medium tone wood floor and beige floor eat-in kitchen idea in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops
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