Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2017 Houzz
Inspiration for an eclectic kitchen remodel in New York

Location: Bethesda, MD, USA This total revamp turned out better than anticipated leaving the clients thrilled with the outcome. Finecraft Contractors, Inc. Interior Designer: Anna Cave Susie Soleimani Photography Blog: http://graciousinteriors.blogspot.com/2016/07/from-cellar-to-stellar-lower-level.html

Greg Scott Makinen
Mid-sized eclectic wooden straight open staircase photo in Boise

Sometimes, I can’t help but smile. Recently October 5 met a beautiful couple, Al and Shawn. With their two sons gone, they decided to remodel their kitchen. The house was built in 1957, with the original kitchen remaining. When I first met Shawn, she was determined, make no mistake about it. She wanted, “. . . dark cabinets with a dark floor.” End of story! Hmmm . . . I just smiled and listened. She finally asked me what I thought. I told her, “Well, I don’t really see dark cabinets with a dark floor.” Beautifully carved wooden beams supported the living room ceiling, along with a well design wrap-around comfortable bay-window seat. All of it painted white, which looked beautiful and enjoyed architectural significance. I guess after living in a house for 27 years, we tend to overlook its natural treasures. Shawn was having none of it. “Oh my god, white? Who’s going to keep it clean? No way? Dark, dark, dark!” Sometimes, you just have to let an idea sit and marinate. You might guess as to who won . . . remember, I am writing this. Shawn and Al have to be one of my favorite clients of all times. We debated, argued and even kept score. Shawn won on the countertops, Arabian Nights, I have to give her credit, and the backsplash. She did not want outlets in the Carrera Marble backsplash, which surprisingly has changed my opinion, but I won everything else. At the end of the project the score was Shawn = 2 (may be 3) and Jim = 12+ (I eventually lost count, but who’s counting anyway.) Sometimes, I can’t help but smile. Hope you do too, when you look at the pictures below.

Inspiration for a large rustic black one-story wood house exterior remodel in Portland with a shed roof and a metal roof

Inspiration for a scandinavian home design remodel in Orange County

Example of a mid-sized transitional master dark wood floor bedroom design in Louisville with white walls and no fireplace

Example of a danish bathroom design in Orange County

Elegant bathroom photo in Raleigh

Michael Hunter Photography
Example of a large transitional formal and open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room design in Dallas with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace and no tv

Michael Hunter Photography
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized traditional galley medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen idea in Dallas with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, cement tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

Inspiration for a contemporary home design remodel in Dallas

Elegant closet photo in Raleigh

Elegant bathroom photo in Raleigh

Example of a mid-sized trendy guest wallpaper bedroom design

This space represents a recent collaboration on a spec house with a local homebuilder. Barbara Gilbert Interiors worked with the builder from start to finish on this project to build a neutral palette for future homeowners to turn this house into their home. The end product is a beautifully finished, move-in ready home. Michael Hunter Photography

Dawn Suderman
Transitional bathroom photo in Wichita

Inspiration for a mid-sized industrial walk-out carpeted and beige floor basement remodel in Minneapolis with gray walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace