Search results for "Grade update" in Home Design Ideas

Phoenix's food scene is vibrant and thriving, but also one of the most closely watched in the country. Health inspectors in Maricopa County are strict, and customers expect spotless dining spaces.
To stay competitive, restaurant owners and food vendors must stay on top of evolving health codes, sanitation protocols, and food safety benchmarks. That starts with a firm grip on restaurant cleaning safety standards. Ignoring sanitation rules risks more than bad reviews. It invites citations, customer complaints, and operational shutdowns.
Whether you're operating a food truck or a restaurant, following these Phoenix cleaning standards helps you stay compliant, pass health inspections, and build customer trust.
Importance of a Clean Phoenix Restaurant that Follows Food Health and Safety Standards
The restaurant industry in Phoenix operates under strict oversight. The Maricopa County Environmental Services Department conducts regular inspections, and violations can result in fines or closures. In this climate, restaurant cleaning is not just a hygiene standard. It is a business-critical measure.
Proper food handling and establishment cleaning protocols reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses, control pests, protect equipment, and keep your staff safe. Inconsistent practices, on the other hand, can quickly become liabilities.
Start With the Food Code
Phoenix food vendors must comply with the 2017 FDA Food Code as adopted by Maricopa County. This includes rules on:
- Sanitizing food-contact surfaces after each use
- Maintaining proper water temperatures for dishwashing
- Cleaning restrooms frequently and keeping them stocked
- Storing cleaning chemicals away from prep areas
- Daily: Wipe prep tables, mop floors, clean grills, sanitize cutting boards
- Weekly: Deep clean kitchen hoods, polish cooking equipment, disinfect drains
- Monthly: Check pest control measures, clean freezer coils, and inspect HVAC filters
- Using the right sanitizers and PPE
- Logging cleaning times and who performed the task
- Identifying signs of mold, grease buildup, or rodent activity
- Conducting thorough surface cleaning to ensure all food-contact surfaces are sanitized regularly
- Food-safe and non-corrosive
- Effective against norovirus, salmonella, and E. coli
- Clearly labeled and stored in original containers
- Seal gaps around doors and pipes
- Store dry goods in sealed, elevated containers
- Keep outdoor waste bins locked and distanced from entry points
- Record cleaning completion in real time
- Alert managers when tasks are missed
- Keep a historical record for inspections
- Is certified and understands the Arizona food codes
- Provides documented service reports
- Offers customized cleaning plans
- Offers flexible scheduling around your operating hours
- Cross-contamination prevention: Regularly clean food prep surfaces and tools, and use separate equipment for raw meats, vegetables, and ready-to-eat foods. Proper cleaning prevents any contact with food that could lead to cross-contamination and affects food quality.
- Temperature monitoring: While not directly related to cleaning, maintaining proper food temperature is essential. Hot foods should be stored above 140°F, and cold foods below 40°F. Regularly monitor temperatures and clean temperature gauges to ensure accuracy.
- Proper storage: Use clean storage containers and shelving for food storage, keeping items off the floor. Ensure all food is sealed and labeled to avoid contamination risks and comply with food safety standards.

Powder room at Project Clausfarm was more of an update to the bulder's grade room that was there. We spruced up the ceiling with a splash of color using Benjamin Moore Water Melon, used some beautiful patterned wallpaper , Art prints behind the toilet and a brand new mirror to replace what was there. Small details had this little powder room totally transformed.
Design: Michelle Berwick
Photography: Sam Stock
Artist: Black Rooster Decor
Wallpaper : Homesense
Paint: Water Melon by Benjamin Moore

Eichler Orange is a stunning expression of mid-century modern architecture. The vision in modernizing this historic Eichler home with a 21st-century makeover was to honor the work of Joseph Eichler and restore it to the 1964 icon of California modernism it once was.
The clean aesthetics of this home features glass walls, post and beam, tongue and groove ceilings, and oversize porcelain tile floors throughout. The free-flowing indoor/outdoor floorplan is highlighted with a signature atrium, and all material selections were made to honor the time period. Custom cherry cabinets and warm slab walnut doors grace the interior.
This home had significant structural termite damage with three-quarters of the framing needing replacement. Additionally, the original house did not come close to meeting the current seismic codes. During reconstruction, we upgraded the post and beam structure with seismic hold-downs and concealed fasteners. The house lacked energy efficiency due to its flat roof and did not meet California’s current Title 24 energy-efficient standards. While honoring its era, this fully renovated residence is now updated with today’s energy efficiencies, including all-aluminum dual-glazed windows and doors, new spray foam insulation atop the flat roof, and tankless water heaters.
A new photovoltaic solar system was added. We abandoned the radiant floor heat and installed a new high-efficiency ductless heating and air units to each room. This increased the building’s performance and provided each room with its own thermostat and control. This system also allowed us to eliminate soffits and ductwork and maintain the exposed tongue and groove ceiling throughout the home.
The living space next to the family and dining room was repurposed to relocate the washer and dryer and allowed space to add a third bathroom. The primary bathroom was also reconfigured for a larger layout.
The sleek kitchen design includes frameless Crystal Cabinets, professional-grade Miele appliances, a large stainless steel Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer, and a generous Caesarstone countertop workspace.
The outdoor backyard living space captures the natural beauty of Southern California and mid-century modern features, including drought-resistant landscaping with decomposed granite planter areas and all-new concrete hardscape. A new spa was added to the existing pool, along with a new BBQ area and firepit.
Photographer: Public 311 Design
Find the right local pro for your project

PA Landscape Group INC http://www.palandscapegroup.com
Project Entry: Yellow Breeches Residence
2014 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner
Category: Hardscaping-Residential $60,000-$120,000
Award Level: Bronze
Photo Description:
At this Yellow Breeches Residence our hardscape project went hand in hand with an addition to the back of the house, not uncommon. However, the new addition was designed in such a way that it created one opportunity to integrate an outdoor kitchen and living area into the design. With the pool already in place and the location of the house against a mountain side, after the addition was built it would cut off all access to add out living space in the future. So with careful thought and planning we set out to make sure that nothing was forgotten, from a kitchen area for congregating and preparing meals, to creating adequate patio space for entertaining, to assuring that the area was drained properly. The materials for the project were staged 6 months in advance of them being installed while the addition was being constructed and drainage work and base preparation for paving happened before the construction for the addition started.
The homeowners’ goal was to add an outdoor living space that had an updated feel, while still feeling as if it fit behind this mountainside home. The blending of the refined look of the Unilock Umbriano paver with the border of natural river stone was our way of meeting their request. Gravel-lock was applied to the gravel border so that it could act as spill over patio space when entertaining large groups.
Boulders where used to retain grade where needed and keep with the natural feel. Accent boulders were added to the slope to blend existing with the new. Natural slab step where used as the transition between the upper patio space and pool surround.
LED low voltage lighting was used to accent the plant material and structures as well as make the space usable for the evening hours. The lighting was installed up the mountainside to stretch out the landscape at night and give the landscape depth.
In the end the project exceeded the homeowners’ expectations and it is the most used room in the house we are told.
Photo Credit: Dimitri Ganas

This kitchen had a boring builder grade kitchen. There was not too much we could do to change the layout, but we did want to open up the space so we opened up the wall between the dining room and kitchen. Then we extended the wall between the patio door and window to give it more space since we lost the other wall. The end result is open, bright and very updated AND the kitty loves it too!

VISION AND NEEDS:
Our client came to us with a vision for their dream house for their growing family with three young children. This was their second attempt at getting the right design. The first time around, after working with an out-of-state online architect, they could not achieve the level of quality they wanted. McHugh delivered a home with higher quality design.
MCHUGH SOLUTION:
The Shingle/Dutch Colonial Design was our client's dream home style. Their priorities were to have a home office for both parents. Ample living space for kids and friends, along with outdoor space and a pool. Double sink bathroom for the kids and a master bedroom with bath for the parents. Despite being close a flood zone, clients could have a fully finished basement with 9ft ceilings and a full attic. Because of the higher water table, the first floor was considerably above grade. To soften the ascent of the front walkway, we designed planters around the stairs, leading up to the porch.

We must admit, we’ve got yet another show-stopping transformation! With keeping the cabinetry boxes (though few had to be replaced), swapping out drawer and drawer fronts with new ones, and updating all the finishes – we managed to give this space a renovation that could be confused for a full remodel! The combination of a vibrant new backsplash, a light painted cabinetry finish, and new fixtures, these cosmetic changes really made the kitchen become “brand new”. Want to learn more about this space and see how we went from “drab” to “fab” then keep reading!
Cabinetry
The cabinets boxes that needed to be replaced are from WW Woods Shiloh, Homestead door style, in maple wood. These cabinets were unfinished, as we finished the entire kitchen on-site with the rest of the new drawer and drawer fronts for a seamless look. The cabinet fronts that were replaced were from Woodmont cabinetry, in a paint grade maple, and a recessed panel profile door-style. As a result, the perimeter cabinets were painted in Sherwin Williams Tinsmith, the island in Sherwin Williams Sea Serpent, and a few interiors of the cabinets were painted in a Sherwin Williams Tinsmith.
Countertop
The countertops feature a 3 cm Caesarstone Vivid White quartz
Backsplash
The backsplash installed from countertops to the bottom of the furrdown are from Glazzio in the Oceania Herringbone Series, in Cobalt Sea, and are a 1×2 size. We love how vibrant it is!
Fixtures and Fittings
From Blanco, we have a Meridian semi-professional faucet in Satin Nickel, and a granite composite Precis 1-3/4 bowl sink in a finish of Cinder. The floating shelves are from Danver and are a stainless steel finish.
Flooring
The flooring is a cork material from Harris Cork in the Napa Collection, in a Fawn finish.

Sponsored
Columbus, OH
HomeCraft Remodeling
Custom Craftsmanship & Build Solutions in Franklin County, Ohio

This San Diego remodel masterfully blends the aesthetic style of this home with the necessities of a functional lifestyle. This standard builder grade kitchen was in need of a modern update which was accomplished with thoughtful accents, color selections and more.
Replacing the outdated cabinets with a classic white and black pallet made the pairing feel modern or traditional, depending on the use of accessories and surrounding materials. Stacking cabinets took advantage of gorgeous, high ceilings and brought volume to the space, while delivering multiple storage options with a custom feel. For this particular client, we added touches of grey marble and dramatic blue glass to bring a contemporary edge to this kitchen.
In addition, the wood look porcelain tile throughout the space brings kitchen, dining, and family room together to create an open concept with connection and flow and virtually zero maintenance for a busy family.

This 1990s home needed some updates in key areas of the home. We refreshed the family room mantel with a new profile and designer tile to liven up the living space, then took the home’s multiple bathrooms to a whole new level. In the master bathroom, we took out the builder grade tub and added a sleek soaker tub with more functional his and her vanities. For less maintenance, we used ceramic porcelain tile that replicates the marble the homeowners admired. In a smaller secondary bathroom, the floor is the star of the show and is appropriately complemented by the undulating quasi subway tile revealing subtle variations. We also repurposed their existing vanity and maintained a craftsman feel with clean-lined accessories to stay pristine. The third bathroom embraces simplicity with subtle texture, from the navy concrete looking floors to the unique ombre coloration in the 4×8” shower tile. We kept the overall design simple, leaving all the design details to exude from the variation in the tiles themselves.

2011 NARI CAPITAL COTY GRAND AWARD WINNER
Having a small 10’ x 12’ kitchen tucked in the back corner of their home wasn’t working for this this young and growing family. Its cramped layout didn’t allow for a breakfast area and storage space was non-existent, both major issues for their busy day-to-day lifestyle. After consulting with Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes, they decided to build a 300 square foot addition onto the back of this 1960’s vintage split level.
The planned addition expanded and updated the home’s kitchen via a contemporary design, added plenty of storage and provided a much needed breakfast seating area. More importantly, it created a great place for the family to gather.
The new kitchen contains a 48” professional-grade range and a large built-in refrigerator, as well as lots of cabinetry and counter space to meet client’s storage needs. Use of lighter shaker style custom painted cabinetry with honed black counter tops has lightened the space tremendously. A large island with distress black cherry cabinetry ans a mahogany countertop was installed and has become the focal point of the kitchen.
By removing a partition that previously separated the kitchen from the dining room, the new design has created a wide open floor plan. The casual dining room flows right into a casual seating area with a corner fireplace. French doors open onto a large new deck.
Best of all, the addition lets the family spend time together before, during and after mean preparation. It’s truly become the hearth of the home.

Xtreme Renovations, LLC has completed another Renovation Project for our clients in Coles Crossing/NW Harris County. When our clients desired to update their Kitchen from the original builder grade Cabinetry, Floor Tile, Counter Tops, Backsplash and Kitchen Island, they turned to the Xtreme renovations, LLC Team to deliver the Renovation that would be the least intrusive to their Family and flow seamlessly from Demolition to Project Completion.
This Renovation included new Custom Built Upper and Lower Kitchen Cabinetry and Kitchen Island in the “Shaker Style” which provided additional storage space and the ability to design the configuration of Cabinetry Drawers and Doors. New Tile Flooring was installed along with new Subway Tile Backsplashes, New LED recessed Lighting and Painting of the New Cabinetry, Walls and Ceiling. Contact Xtreme Renovations, LLC for your Renovation Projects and let our Team of Professionals deliver the “Wow Factor you desire and Xtreme Renovations, LLC is known for. At Xtreme Renovations, LLC, “It’s All In The Details”!

This stunning Avon Lake renovation showcases a thoughtfully reimagined kitchen and dining space, blending timeless elegance with modern functionality. The project began with a reconfiguration of the kitchen, expanding it into the former dining room to create a spacious, open-concept layout perfect for entertaining and family gatherings. The hearth room was transformed into a sophisticated new dining room, complete with an updated fireplace and a stunning chandelier, adding warmth and elegance to the space.
The centerpiece of this luxury kitchen remodel is its striking design and high-end finishes. The countertops and backsplash feature quartzite “Australian Pearl,” offering a luxurious, natural aesthetic. Custom Mullet cabinetry elevates the design, with white inset beaded cabinets paired with rich cherry wood cabinets on the islands for a striking contrast. Top Knobs honey bronze hardware adds a warm, polished touch, while paneled appliances seamlessly integrate into the cabinetry for a sleek, cohesive look.
This kitchen boasts two islands, designed for both practicality and style, and includes two dishwashers by Fisher & Paykel to streamline cleanup. The Fisher & Paykel cooktop and double oven provide professional-grade performance, making this kitchen ideal for avid chefs. Underfoot, beautiful white oak floors tie the space together with warmth and character.
Lighting plays a key role in the design, with pendant lighting over the islands and statement fixtures throughout the kitchen and dining areas. Each piece was carefully selected to enhance the ambiance and add a touch of elegance.
This custom kitchen renovation in Avon Lake perfectly balances form and function, making it an inviting space for both everyday living and entertaining. With premium materials, expert craftsmanship, and a thoughtful layout, this project is a true showcase of Hurst Design Build Remodel’s commitment to creating dream spaces with timeless appeal.

Incredible views from this waterfront beauty in Ponte Vedra. The clients wanted to update their 1990's home with a fresh open floor plan, furniture grade cabinetry, an eat-in island, a custom built in china display and storage cabinet, wine cooler and commercial appliances. The result is this stunning gathering and entertaining kitchen that opens to the family room, pool and inter-coastal waterway. The choice of a translucent quartz counter top and waterfall island along with a chic wavy back splash all evoke the beauty of the water. Perfect for this setting and this stylish client.

Sponsored
Columbus, OH
HomeCraft Remodeling
Custom Craftsmanship & Build Solutions in Franklin County, Ohio

A gorgeous kitchen remodeled from a builder’s basic, incorporating a palette of bright blue, soft grey and pops of warm copper. As a multi-generational home, it was really important to create smooth transitions, allowing ease of accessibility, and the client’s favourite colour, blue! We started, with removing a wall in the kitchen, that opened up the space to the much-used family room. We created an island with overhang for conversations with the cook, and a rest stop for Grandma. As all three adults have different dietary demands, a set of wall ovens was added, and a commercial grade range hood for lots of yummy food prep.
Additional functional design features a new built-in buffet with storage, and a window bench seat. By adding a pendant light over the kitchen table, along with the beautiful big window, this space has been lovingly updated, showcasing the family’s personality and has now earned the most popular spot in the house.
Designed by Melissa Hardwick Design serving Vancouver, and the Lower Mainland. For more information about Melissa Hardwick Design, click here: https://www.melissahardwick.com/

This kitchen had a boring builder grade kitchen. There was not too much we could do to change the layout, but we did want to open up the space so we opened up the wall between the dining room and kitchen. Then we extended the wall between the patio door and window to give it more space since we lost the other wall. The end result is open, bright and very updated AND the kitty loves it too!

Houston Interior Designer Lisha Maxey took this Museum District condo from the dated, mirrored walls of the 1980s to Mid Century Modern with a gallery look featuring the client's art collection.
"The place was covered with glued-down, floor-to-ceiling mirrors," says Lisha Maxey, senior designer for Homescapes of Houston and principal at LGH Design Services in Houston. "When we took them off the walls, the walls came apart. We ended up taking them down to the studs."
The makeover took six months to complete, primarily because of strict condo association rules that only gave the Houston interior designers very limited access to the elevator - through which all materials and team members had to go.
"Monday through Friday, we could only be noisy from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and if we had to do something extra loud, like sawing or drilling, we had to schedule it with the management and they had to communicate that to the condo owners. So it was just a lot of coordination. But a lot of Inner City Loopers live in these kinds of buildings, so we're used to handling that kind of thing."
The client, a child psychiatrist in her 60s, recently moved to Houston from northeast Texas to be with friends. After being widowed three years ago, she decided it was time to let go of the traditionally styled estate that wasn't really her style anyway. An avid diver who has traveled around the world to pursue her passion, she has amassed a large collection of art from her travels. Downsizing to 1,600 feet and wanting to go more contemporary, she wanted the display - and the look - more streamlined.
"She wanted clean lines and muted colors, with the main focus being her artwork," says Maxey. "So we made the space a palette for that."
Enter the white, gallery-grade paint she chose for the walls: "It's halfway between satin and flat," explains Maxey. "It's not glossy and it's not chalky - just very smooth and clean."
Adding to the gallery theme is the satin nickel track lighting with lamps aimed to highlight pieces of art. "This lighting has no wires," notes Maxey. "It's powered by a positive and negative conduit."
The new flooring throughout is a blended-grey porcelain tile that looks like wood planks. "It's gorgeous, natural-looking and combines all the beauty of wood with the durability of tile," says Maxey. "We used it throughout the condo to unify the space."
After Maxey started looking at the client's bright, vibrant, colorful artwork, she felt the palette couldn't stay as muted anymore. Hence the Mid Century Modern orange leather sofas from West Elm and bright green chairs from Joybird, plus the throw pillows in different textures, patterns and shades of gold, orange and green.
The concave lines of the Danish-inspired chairs, she notes, help them look beautiful from all the way around - a key to designing spaces for loft living.
"The table in the living room is very interesting," notes Maxey. "It was handmade for the client in 1974 and has a signature on it from the artist. She was adamant about including the piece, which has all these hand-painted black-and-white art tiles on the top. I took one look at it and said 'It's not really going to go.'"
However, after cutting 6 inches off the bottom and making it look a little distressed, the table ended up being the perfect complement to the sofas.
The dining room table - from Design Within Reach - is a solid piece of mahogany, the chair upholstery a mix of grey velvet and leather and the legs a shiny brass. "The side chairs are leather and the end ones are velvet," says Maxey. "It's a nice textural mix that lends depth and texture."
The galley kitchen, meanwhile, has been lightened and brightened, with white quartz countertops and backsplashes mimicking the look of Carrara marble, stainless steel appliances and a velvet green bench seat for a punch of color. The cabinets are painted a cool grey color called "Silverplate."
The two bathrooms have been updated with contemporary white vanities and vessel sinks and the master bath now features a walk-in shower tiled in Dolomite white marble (the floor is Bianco Carrara marble mosaic, done in a herringbone pattern.
In the master bedroom, Homescapes of Houston knocked down a wall between two smaller closets with swing doors to make one large walk-in closet with pocket doors. The closet in the guest bedroom also came out 13 more inches.
The client's artwork throughout personalizes the space and tells the story of a life. There's a huge bowl of shells from the client's diving adventures, framed art from her child psychiatry patients and a 16th century wood carving from a monastery that's been in her family forever.
"Her collection is quite impressive," says Maxey. "There's even a framed piece of autographed songs written by John Lennon." (You can see this black-framed piece of art on the wall in the photo above of two green chairs).
"We're extremely happy with how the project turned out, and so is the client," says Maxey. "No expense was spared for her. It was a labor of love and we were excited to do it."

Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Snider & Metcalf Interior Design, LTD
Leading Interior Designers in Columbus, Ohio & Ponte Vedra, Florida

This stunning Avon Lake renovation showcases a thoughtfully reimagined kitchen and dining space, blending timeless elegance with modern functionality. The project began with a reconfiguration of the kitchen, expanding it into the former dining room to create a spacious, open-concept layout perfect for entertaining and family gatherings. The hearth room was transformed into a sophisticated new dining room, complete with an updated fireplace and a stunning chandelier, adding warmth and elegance to the space.
The centerpiece of this luxury kitchen remodel is its striking design and high-end finishes. The countertops and backsplash feature quartzite “Australian Pearl,” offering a luxurious, natural aesthetic. Custom Mullet cabinetry elevates the design, with white inset beaded cabinets paired with rich cherry wood cabinets on the islands for a striking contrast. Top Knobs honey bronze hardware adds a warm, polished touch, while paneled appliances seamlessly integrate into the cabinetry for a sleek, cohesive look.
This kitchen boasts two islands, designed for both practicality and style, and includes two dishwashers by Fisher & Paykel to streamline cleanup. The Fisher & Paykel cooktop and double oven provide professional-grade performance, making this kitchen ideal for avid chefs. Underfoot, beautiful white oak floors tie the space together with warmth and character.
Lighting plays a key role in the design, with pendant lighting over the islands and statement fixtures throughout the kitchen and dining areas. Each piece was carefully selected to enhance the ambiance and add a touch of elegance.
This custom kitchen renovation in Avon Lake perfectly balances form and function, making it an inviting space for both everyday living and entertaining. With premium materials, expert craftsmanship, and a thoughtful layout, this project is a true showcase of Hurst Design Build Remodel’s commitment to creating dream spaces with timeless appeal.

Simply apply a MirrorMate frame to your existing bathroom mirror in just minutes. The do-it-yourself frame kit is easy to install and ships to your door. It'll transform your builder's grade mirror and add quality, custom detailing to the room and is designed to cover the clips that hold your mirror. It also covers the de-silvering edge in the process. See all 65+ frames styles available and order samples to help pick the right look for your room. This bathroom was finished with the popular Cherokee Barnwood frame.

Houston Interior Designer Lisha Maxey took this Museum District condo from the dated, mirrored walls of the 1980s to Mid Century Modern with a gallery look featuring the client's art collection.
"The place was covered with glued-down, floor-to-ceiling mirrors," says Lisha Maxey, senior designer for Homescapes of Houston and principal at LGH Design Services in Houston. "When we took them off the walls, the walls came apart. We ended up taking them down to the studs."
The makeover took six months to complete, primarily because of strict condo association rules that only gave the Houston interior designers very limited access to the elevator - through which all materials and team members had to go.
"Monday through Friday, we could only be noisy from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and if we had to do something extra loud, like sawing or drilling, we had to schedule it with the management and they had to communicate that to the condo owners. So it was just a lot of coordination. But a lot of Inner City Loopers live in these kinds of buildings, so we're used to handling that kind of thing."
The client, a child psychiatrist in her 60s, recently moved to Houston from northeast Texas to be with friends. After being widowed three years ago, she decided it was time to let go of the traditionally styled estate that wasn't really her style anyway. An avid diver who has traveled around the world to pursue her passion, she has amassed a large collection of art from her travels. Downsizing to 1,600 feet and wanting to go more contemporary, she wanted the display - and the look - more streamlined.
"She wanted clean lines and muted colors, with the main focus being her artwork," says Maxey. "So we made the space a palette for that."
Enter the white, gallery-grade paint she chose for the walls: "It's halfway between satin and flat," explains Maxey. "It's not glossy and it's not chalky - just very smooth and clean."
Adding to the gallery theme is the satin nickel track lighting with lamps aimed to highlight pieces of art. "This lighting has no wires," notes Maxey. "It's powered by a positive and negative conduit."
The new flooring throughout is a blended-grey porcelain tile that looks like wood planks. "It's gorgeous, natural-looking and combines all the beauty of wood with the durability of tile," says Maxey. "We used it throughout the condo to unify the space."
After Maxey started looking at the client's bright, vibrant, colorful artwork, she felt the palette couldn't stay as muted anymore. Hence the Mid Century Modern orange leather sofas from West Elm and bright green chairs from Joybird, plus the throw pillows in different textures, patterns and shades of gold, orange and green.
The concave lines of the Danish-inspired chairs, she notes, help them look beautiful from all the way around - a key to designing spaces for loft living.
"The table in the living room is very interesting," notes Maxey. "It was handmade for the client in 1974 and has a signature on it from the artist. She was adamant about including the piece, which has all these hand-painted black-and-white art tiles on the top. I took one look at it and said 'It's not really going to go.'"
However, after cutting 6 inches off the bottom and making it look a little distressed, the table ended up being the perfect complement to the sofas.
The dining room table - from Design Within Reach - is a solid piece of mahogany, the chair upholstery a mix of grey velvet and leather and the legs a shiny brass. "The side chairs are leather and the end ones are velvet," says Maxey. "It's a nice textural mix that lends depth and texture."
The galley kitchen, meanwhile, has been lightened and brightened, with white quartz countertops and backsplashes mimicking the look of Carrara marble, stainless steel appliances and a velvet green bench seat for a punch of color. The cabinets are painted a cool grey color called "Silverplate."
The two bathrooms have been updated with contemporary white vanities and vessel sinks and the master bath now features a walk-in shower tiled in Dolomite white marble (the floor is Bianco Carrara marble mosaic, done in a herringbone pattern.
In the master bedroom, Homescapes of Houston knocked down a wall between two smaller closets with swing doors to make one large walk-in closet with pocket doors. The closet in the guest bedroom also came out 13 more inches.
The client's artwork throughout personalizes the space and tells the story of a life. There's a huge bowl of shells from the client's diving adventures, framed art from her child psychiatry patients and a 16th century wood carving from a monastery that's been in her family forever.
"Her collection is quite impressive," says Maxey. "There's even a framed piece of autographed songs written by John Lennon." (You can see this black-framed piece of art on the wall in the photo above of two green chairs).
"We're extremely happy with how the project turned out, and so is the client," says Maxey. "No expense was spared for her. It was a labor of love and we were excited to do it."
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