An open floor plan between the Kitchen, Dining, and Living areas is thoughtfully divided by sliding barn doors, providing both visual and acoustic separation. The rear screened porch and grilling area located off the Kitchen become the focal point for outdoor entertaining and relaxing. Custom cabinetry and millwork throughout are a testament to the talents of the builder, with the project proving how design-build relationships between builder and architect can thrive given similar design mindsets and passions for the craft of homebuilding.

Modern family loft renovation. A young couple starting a family in the city purchased this two story loft in Boston's South End. Built in the 1990's, the loft was ready for updates. ZED transformed the space, creating a fresh new look and greatly increasing its functionality to accommodate an expanding family within an urban setting. Improvement were made to the aesthetics, scale, and functionality for the growing family to enjoy. Photos by Eric Roth. Construction by Ralph S. Osmond Company. Green architecture by ZeroEnergy Design.

SIMON CONVERTIBLE OFFICE Traditional Wall Bed & Office (closed) • Blending office space with guest space, this elegant wall bed is both functional and gorgeously designed. • Lago®Milano Grey finish and coordinating Milano Grey countertop create a seamless look. • Lago®Milano Grey 5-piece Shaker fronts contribute to the monochromatic color palette. • 5-piece Shaker fronts with Ecoresin Fossil Leaf insets add a natural accent. • Side-tilt wall bed provides sleeping area as needed. • Puck lighting illuminates the space. • Decorative hardware add finishing touches.

This sophisticated home bar strikes a perfect balance between function and high-end design. Open floating shelves stretch across the wall, showcasing an impressive bottle collection beneath a striking hexagon-pattern tile backsplash that climbs all the way to the ceiling. Rich, dark wood cabinets offer storage and depth, while glass-front cabinets elegantly display glassware for easy access. A large beverage fridge ensures everything stays chilled and ready. The bar is finished with a sleek gold faucet and matching water spout above the integrated sink, while open-back bar stools sit neatly at the wood-topped counter—inviting guests to gather in style.

Photography: Tiffany Ringwald Builder: Ekren Construction
Inspiration for a transitional master white tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile, white floor and double-sink corner shower remodel in Charlotte with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, an undermount tub, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops, a niche and a built-in vanity

Raft Island Kitchen Redesign & Remodel Project Overview Located in the beautiful Puget Sound this project began with functionality in mind. The original kitchen was built custom for a very tall person, The custom countertops were not functional for the busy family that purchased the home. The new design has clean lines with elements of nature . The custom oak cabinets were locally made. The stain is a custom blend. The reclaimed island was made from local material. ..the floating shelves and beams are also reclaimed lumber. The island counter top and hood is NEOLITH in Iron Copper , a durable porcelain counter top material The counter tops along the perimeter of the kitchen is Lapitec. The design is original, textured, inviting, brave & complimentary. ​Photos by Julie Mannell Photography

Jill Buckner
Family room - contemporary dark wood floor and beige floor family room idea in Chicago with beige walls, a two-sided fireplace and a media wall

A shared therapy and Zoom space for the couple, the office retained its original built-in cabinetry, now painted in a silver-blue tone to harmonize with the home’s lightened palette. Recessed lighting and pale finishes help counteract the home’s former darkness, establishing a fresh and functional workspace.

Example of a transitional built-in desk medium tone wood floor and brown floor home office design in New York with white walls

A living room in the Oakland Hills for a family with two young kids. The goal was simple: sophisticated enough for the adults, relaxed enough for real life. Dark painted built-ins anchor the space with quiet drama, while a fuzzy rug, playful organic lighting, and family-friendly fabrics keep it warm, approachable, and never too precious to use.

(TOP WALL): Pure White OC-64, ben® Eggshell (CEILING): Pure White OC-64, ben® Flat (BOTTOM WALL): Turquoise Powder 2057-50, ben® Semi-Gloss
Beach style built-in desk brown floor and medium tone wood floor home office photo in New York with blue walls

BROOKLYN OFFICE Contemporary Wall Bed (closed) • Modern design meets superior functionality with this multi-use space that provides and office, storage and an extra bed. • Lago® Milano Grey Finish provides a darker backdrop adding a touch of drama to the space. • Brushed aluminum frames with multiple Ecoresin inserts contribute to the contemporary look and add a pop of color. • Puck lighting illuminates the space. • Side-tilt Murphy bed provides a sleeping area as needed. • Aluminum sliding doors provide concealed storage. • Push-to-open door and drawer hardware offer ease of use.

Living room with arched windows and an open concept and a built in fireplace and tv wall
Inspiration for a transitional light wood floor and beige floor living room remodel in Austin with white walls, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Home office - transitional built-in desk light wood floor home office idea in Seattle with white walls

Example of a mid-sized transitional light wood floor and brown floor utility room design in Nashville with an undermount sink, white cabinets, white walls, open cabinets, a side-by-side washer/dryer and brown countertops

Dwight Myers Real Estate Photography
Walk-in closet - large farmhouse gender-neutral carpeted and gray floor walk-in closet idea in Raleigh

Transitional medium tone wood floor and brown floor breakfast nook photo in Boston with white walls

BRANDON STENGER
Home design - large traditional home design idea in Minneapolis

Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW As with most projects, it all started with the kitchen layout. The home owners came to us wanting to upgrade their kitchen and overall aesthetic in their suburban home, with a combination of fresh paint, updated finishes, and improved flow for more ease when doing everyday activities. A monochromatic, earth-toned palette left the kitchen feeling uninspired. It lacked the brightness they wanted from their space. An eat-in table underutilized the available square footage. The butler’s pantry was out of the way and hard to access, and the dining room felt detached from the kitchen. Lead Designer, Stephanie Cole, saw an improved layout for the spaces that were no longer working for this family. By eliminating an existing wall between the kitchen and dining room, and relocating the bar area to the dining room, we opened up the kitchen, providing all the space we needed to create a dreamy and functional layout. A new perimeter configuration promoted circulation while also making space for a large and functional island loaded with seating – a must for any family. Because an island that isn’t big enough for everyone (and a few more) is a recipe for disaster. The light white cabinetry is fresh and contrasts with the deeper tones in the wood flooring, creating a modern aesthetic that is elevated, yet approachable for everyday living. With better flow as the overarching goal, we made some structural changes too. To remove a bottleneck in the entryway, we angled one of the dining room walls to create more natural separation between rooms and facilitate ease of movement throughout the large space. At The Kitchen Studio, we believe a well-designed kitchen uses every square inch to the fullest. By starting from scratch, it was possible to rethink the entire kitchen layout and design the space according to how it is used, because the kitchen shouldn’t make it harder to feed the family. A new location for the existing range, flanked by a new column refrigerator and freezer on each side, worked to anchor the space. The very large and very spacious island (a dream island if we do say so ourselves) now houses the primary sink and provides ample space for food prep and family gathering. The new kitchen table and coordinating banquette seating provide a cozy nook for quick breakfasts before school or work, and evening homework sessions. Elegant gold details catch the natural light, elevating the aesthetic. The dining room was transformed into one of this client’s favorite spaces and we couldn’t agree more. We saw an opportunity to give the dining room a more distinguished identity by closing off the entrance from the foyer. The relocated wet bar enhances the sophisticated vibe of this gathering space, complete with beautiful antique mirror tiles and open shelving encased by moody built-in cabinets. Updated furnishings add warmth. A rich walnut table is paired with custom chairs in a muted coral fabric. The large, transitional chandelier grounds the room, pairing beautifully with the gold finishes prevalent in the faucet and cabinet hardware. Linen-inspired wallpaper and cream-toned window treatments add to the glamorous feel of this entertainment space. There is no way around it. The laundry room was cramped. The large washer and dryer blocked access to the sink and left little room for the space to serve its other essential function – as a mudroom. Because we reworked the kitchen layout to create more space overall, we could rethink the mudroom too – an essential for any busy family. The first step was moving the washer and dryer to an existing area on the second floor, where most of the family’s laundry lives (no one wants to carry laundry up and down the stairs if they don’t have to anyway). This is a more functional solution and opened up the space for all the mudroom necessities – including the existing kitchen refrigerator, loads of built-in cubbies, and a bench. It’s hard to not fall in love with every detail of a new space, especially when it serves your day-to-day life. But that doesn’t mean the clients didn’t have their favorite features they use on the daily. This remodel was focused largely on function with a new kitchen layout. And it’s the functional features that have the biggest impact. The large island provides much needed workspace in the kitchen and is a spot where everyone gathers together – it grounds the space and the family. And the custom counter stools are the icing on the cake. The nearby mudroom has everything their previous space was lacking – ample storage, space for everyone’s essentials, and the beloved cement floor tiles that are both durable and artistic.