Stunning blue cabinets with oak flooring, farmhouse sink, open shelving and gold accents. Kristian Walker Photography
Farmhouse medium tone wood floor kitchen photo in Grand Rapids with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite countertops and an island

Inspiration for a huge transitional formal and open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room remodel in Calgary with gray walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

Contemporary gray three-story mixed siding house exterior idea in Seattle

Living room - huge contemporary open concept and formal white floor and ceramic tile living room idea in Miami with white walls, no fireplace and no tv

The master bath is a true oasis, with white marble on the floor, countertop and backsplash, in period-appropriate subway and basket-weave patterns. Wall and floor-mounted chrome fixtures at the sink, tub and shower provide vintage charm and contemporary function. Chrome accents are also found in the light fixtures, cabinet hardware and accessories. The heated towel bars and make-up area with lit mirror provide added luxury. Access to the master closet is through the wood 5-panel pocket door.

The Historic Home lies at the heart of Michael Carter’s passion for interior design. Well versed in the academics of period architecture and antiques, Carter continues to be called on to bring fresh and inspiring ideas to historic properties that are undergoing restoration or redecoration. It is never the goal to have these homes feel like museums. Instead, Carter & Company strives to blend the function of contemporary life with design ideas that are appropriate – they respect the past in a way that is stylish, timeless and elegant.

Original checkerboard flooring sets an elegant tone in the entry, as do appropriately chosen antiques, such as a George III serving table from the 18th century and a 19th-century Rococo bench, both in mahogany. The mirror sitting atop, from BK Antiques, is also mahogany and gilt wood, and the set of the obelisks is from Gerald Bland. A Rococo red-painted Jansen chair add a functional note. Walls are painted in Benjamin Moore’s Snow on the Mountains. Photographer: Christian Harder

A built in desk was designed for this corner. File drawers, a skinny pencil drawer, and lots of writing surface makes the tiny desk very functional. Sea grass cabinets with phantom green suede granite countertops pair together nicely and feel appropriate in this old farmhouse.

Inspiration for a large transitional porcelain tile and multicolored floor enclosed kitchen remodel with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Clean lines and a refined material palette transformed the Moss Hill House master bath into an open, light-filled space appropriate to its 1960 modern character. Underlying the design is a thoughtful intent to maximize opportunities within the long narrow footprint. Minimizing project cost and disruption, fixture locations were generally maintained. All interior walls and existing soaking tub were removed, making room for a large walk-in shower. Large planes of glass provide definition and maintain desired openness, allowing daylight from clerestory windows to fill the space. Light-toned finishes and large format tiles throughout offer an uncluttered vision. Polished marble “circles” provide textural contrast and small-scale detail, while an oak veneered vanity adds additional warmth. In-floor radiant heat, reclaimed veneer, dimming controls, and ample daylighting are important sustainable features. This renovation converted a well-worn room into one with a modern functionality and a visual timelessness that will take it into the future. Photographed by: place, inc

Clean lines and a refined material palette transformed the Moss Hill House master bath into an open, light-filled space appropriate to its 1960 modern character. Underlying the design is a thoughtful intent to maximize opportunities within the long narrow footprint. Minimizing project cost and disruption, fixture locations were generally maintained. All interior walls and existing soaking tub were removed, making room for a large walk-in shower. Large planes of glass provide definition and maintain desired openness, allowing daylight from clerestory windows to fill the space. Light-toned finishes and large format tiles throughout offer an uncluttered vision. Polished marble “circles” provide textural contrast and small-scale detail, while an oak veneered vanity adds additional warmth. In-floor radiant heat, reclaimed veneer, dimming controls, and ample daylighting are important sustainable features. This renovation converted a well-worn room into one with a modern functionality and a visual timelessness that will take it into the future. Photographed by: place, inc

A custom bath in a 1930 home given renewed function but remaining in keeping to its historical roots. Simple flat panel doors with a planted mold, inset doors,flush drawers, an elegant small beaded frame, paneled sides,and a historical cabinet base (plinth) combine to present cabinetry in the best and most appropriate light to the home. Custom design and craftsmanship from Jaeger & Ernst cabinetmakers make the difference.

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   The homeowners came to us looking to update the kitchen in their historic 1897 home. The home had gone through an extensive renovation several years earlier that added a master bedroom suite and updates to the front façade. The kitchen however was not part of that update and a prior 1990’s update had left much to be desired. The client is an avid cook, and it was just not very functional for the family. The original kitchen was very choppy and included a large eat in area that took up more than its fair share of the space. On the wish list was a place where the family could comfortably congregate, that was easy and to cook in, that feels lived in and in check with the rest of the home’s décor. They also wanted a space that was not cluttered and dark – a happy, light and airy room. A small powder room off the space also needed some attention so we set out to include that in the remodel as well. See that arch in the neighboring dining room? The homeowner really wanted to make the opening to the dining room an arch to match, so we incorporated that into the design. Another unfortunate eyesore was the state of the ceiling and soffits. Turns out it was just a series of shortcuts from the prior renovation, and we were surprised and delighted that we were easily able to flatten out almost the entire ceiling with a couple of little reworks. Other changes we made were to add new windows that were appropriate to the new design, which included moving the sink window over slightly to give the work zone more breathing room. We also adjusted the height of the windows in what was previously the eat-in area that were too low for a countertop to work. We tried to keep an old island in the plan since it was a well-loved vintage find, but the tradeoff for the function of the new island was not worth it in the end. We hope the old found a new home, perhaps as a potting table. 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

Homecrest Cherry Cabinets in the Eastport door style. This spacious kitchen is full of storage with rollout drawers located both in the Island and in the custom refrigerator wall unit. The Brown Fantasy granite countertops are beautifully complimented with an undulated subway tile splash. Crown and appropriate-sized trim finish this classic, traditional look. Kichler under cabinet lighting aids in task lighting and adds to the functional features of this beautiful kitchen.

A built in desk was designed for this corner. File drawers, a skinny pencil drawer, and lots of writing surface makes the tiny desk very functional. Sea grass cabinets with phantom green suede granite countertops pair together nicely and feel appropriate in this old farmhouse.

Clean lines and a refined material palette transformed the Moss Hill House master bath into an open, light-filled space appropriate to its 1960 modern character. Underlying the design is a thoughtful intent to maximize opportunities within the long narrow footprint. Minimizing project cost and disruption, fixture locations were generally maintained. All interior walls and existing soaking tub were removed, making room for a large walk-in shower. Large planes of glass provide definition and maintain desired openness, allowing daylight from clerestory windows to fill the space. Light-toned finishes and large format tiles throughout offer an uncluttered vision. Polished marble “circles” provide textural contrast and small-scale detail, while an oak veneered vanity adds additional warmth. In-floor radiant heat, reclaimed veneer, dimming controls, and ample daylighting are important sustainable features. This renovation converted a well-worn room into one with a modern functionality and a visual timelessness that will take it into the future. Photographed by: place, inc

Monica Perrone This sixteen-bed hospice care facility completed in 2006 has a 150' long rose arbor as its crowning feature. Traditional in theme and appropriate for its agrarian setting, this facility needed to feel very "residential" so that patients and guests could feel at home while managing end of life issues. Hedges, tree canopies and private patient patios offer beauty and comfortable transitions to/from the larger garden. An organized layout of paths and various points of interest, including four water features and a mist-filled grotto, allow for strolling and retreating. A significant herringbone brick formal patio and lawn support larger functions.

Photo: Corynne Pless © 2013 Houzz
Inspiration for an eclectic dining room remodel in New York

A vent hood is necessary for proper ventilation and function in the kitchen. Why not make this a focal point instead of an eye sore? This large mantle style wood hood is the perfect choice for this Craftsman kitchen.