Gordon Beall
Example of a mid-sized trendy great room design in DC Metro with beige walls and a standard fireplace

In Colonial House, once home to Bette Davis and Clark Gable, this pied-a-terre was designed for comfort and elegance. Green curtains reference the lush foliage outside. Clean lines, traditional details and contemporary art complete this home.

www.erikabiermanphotography.com
Small minimalist staircase photo in Los Angeles

Utility room - mid-sized coastal utility room idea in Cleveland with a side-by-side washer/dryer

As featured in New York Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, and Brownstoner: The client, a young woman working in tech, grew up living abroad in various places as a State Department kid. She picked up items along the way which she wanted to incorporate into the design – the most prominent pieces were the wool rug and crewel embroidered wallhanging in the Guest Room, both of which she found when living in Pakistan. Her parents now live in France and her grandparents live in Germany, so her more recent finds have been from family visits (for example, German ceramics as seen in the kitchen). When they began discussing a design scheme, the client sent Tara a Pinterest board that prominently featured Dawnridge, Tony Duquette’s home in Beverly Hills. Little did the client know that that happens to be one of Tara’s favorite sources of inspiration. Since Tony Duquette was a master at mixing and matching antiques from different places and periods, his work was a natural North Star for this project. The Chinese Art Deco carpet was the perfect “something old” to ground the space and aesthetically, it reminded Tara of the Eastern influences seen throughout Dawnridge. Since the kitchen, dining area, and living room are all collected, Tara had the built-in shelving painted to match the cabinets. Then, the shelves were lined with Roger Arlington wallpaper inspired by Chinese 18th century tea paper, the pewter paper used to line tea chests sent from China. There wasn’t quite the space for grand curtains like those Duquette found at the Paris Flea and hung in the Drawing Room, but something a bit smaller sourced at that same flea was included. From the Paris flea market, Tara texted the client a photo of the Louis XV gilt-metal sconces and got an immediate “Yes!” The antique floor lamp is from a shop not far from the client’s apartment — Humble House in Boerum Hill. The vintage tole chandelier is from there, as well. The client’s directive to source only things “with a story behind them” was a dream come true. Take the pleated silk shade for example — it’s got a few holes in it, but that wasn’t disqualifying. It was a pleasure to work with a client who sees the beauty in something sourced locally and dripping with character, even if it’s got a few imperfections. Tara transformed the closet in the Guest Bedroom into a dramatic little work-from-home nook. The floor-to-ceiling curtains cover the entire wall and handily conceal an unattractive tiny window looking into an airshaft. The client requested a “lush bedroom,” so a variety of textures were incorporated to make things feel layered and luxurious. She has an extensive collection of perfume bottles, and they won a 1950s Hollywood Regency style mirrored vanity at auction — the perfect place to display them. The green of the Living Room is carried to the bedroom with the silk taffeta curtains and block-printed bedding. The headboard is upholstered in a pleated silk Georgette. There was limited space on either side of the bed, so Tara suggested mounting swing-arm lamps to the wall and sourced sleek little metal and travertine nightstands, which add just the right touch of “today.” The Rococo wood mirror over the bed was also won at auction.

The tea height ormolu coffee sits in front of the large all weather slip covered sofa. Two side chairs add seating. A beige sisal area rug defines the space. Wall art is well arranged for accent and interest. Peter Rymwid, Photographer

Example of a classic formal living room design in New York with green walls

Bathroom - huge transitional master beige tile and subway tile porcelain tile bathroom idea in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite countertops, a two-piece toilet and beige walls

Example of a mid-sized minimalist l-shaped dark wood floor eat-in kitchen design in San Francisco with an island, glass-front cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a drop-in sink

Wall Color: Cup of Tea PPU6-16 Fireplace/Accent Wall Color: Amazon Jungle PPU9-24 Ceiling Color: Morocco Red PPU2-17 Trim Color: Clove Brown PPU7-25
Example of a trendy dining room design in Orange County

Dining room
Inspiration for a large eclectic dark wood floor, brown floor, wallpaper ceiling and wall paneling dining room remodel in New York with blue walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW This family from Wheaton was ready to remodel their kitchen, dining room and powder room. The project didn’t call for any structural or space planning changes but the makeover still had a massive impact on their home. The homeowners wanted to change their dated 1990’s brown speckled granite and light maple kitchen. They liked the welcoming feeling they got from the wood and warm tones in their current kitchen, but this style clashed with their vision of a deVOL type kitchen, a London-based furniture company. Their inspiration came from the country homes of the UK that mix the warmth of traditional detail with clean lines and modern updates. To create their vision, we started with all new framed cabinets with a modified overlay painted in beautiful, understated colors. Our clients were adamant about “no white cabinets.” Instead we used an oyster color for the perimeter and a custom color match to a specific shade of green chosen by the homeowner. The use of a simple color pallet reduces the visual noise and allows the space to feel open and welcoming. We also painted the trim above the cabinets the same color to make the cabinets look taller. The room trim was painted a bright clean white to match the ceiling. In true English fashion our clients are not coffee drinkers, but they LOVE tea. We created a tea station for them where they can prepare and serve tea. We added plenty of glass to showcase their tea mugs and adapted the cabinetry below to accommodate storage for their tea items. Function is also key for the English kitchen and the homeowners. They requested a deep farmhouse sink and a cabinet devoted to their heavy mixer because they bake a lot. We then got rid of the stovetop on the island and wall oven and replaced both of them with a range located against the far wall. This gives them plenty of space on the island to roll out dough and prepare any number of baked goods. We then removed the bifold pantry doors and created custom built-ins with plenty of usable storage for all their cooking and baking needs. The client wanted a big change to the dining room but still wanted to use their own furniture and rug. We installed a toile-like wallpaper on the top half of the room and supported it with white wainscot paneling. We also changed out the light fixture, showing us once again that small changes can have a big impact. As the final touch, we also re-did the powder room to be in line with the rest of the first floor. We had the new vanity painted in the same oyster color as the kitchen cabinets and then covered the walls in a whimsical patterned wallpaper. Although the homeowners like subtle neutral colors they were willing to go a bit bold in the powder room for something unexpected. For more design inspiration go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Lightly hammered darkened hood with burnished strapping and bullnose trim. Pewter finish zinc insert at bottom with dads at strapping and insert
Example of a mid-sized classic eat-in kitchen design in Charlotte with multicolored backsplash, raised-panel cabinets, an island, light wood cabinets, granite countertops and mosaic tile backsplash

Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized traditional u-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone countertops, green backsplash, subway tile backsplash, paneled appliances and no island

Large island style blue three-story wood exterior home photo in Miami with a hip roof

Kitchen/dining room combo - mid-sized traditional light wood floor and brown floor kitchen/dining room combo idea in Portland Maine with green walls

This bedroom features a stenciled accent wall with built-in bedside tables, picture rail, high kickboards and plush carpeting. Designed by Blake Civiello Photos by Philippe Le Berre

Inspiration for a large tropical blue three-story wood exterior home remodel in Miami with a hip roof

MVB.
Example of a large transitional l-shaped dark wood floor eat-in kitchen design in Seattle with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island