A comfortable and sophisticated space filled with interesting accent pieces, where the family can spend quality time and entertain guests.
Example of a large trendy open concept brown floor and coffered ceiling family room design with a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace

Example of a minimalist home design design in Charlotte

Inspiration for a transitional bedroom remodel in San Francisco

Originally this side patio was simply a barren cement patch that was cold and uninviting (see the BEFORE picture). It has a basic stone and concrete patio floor, with concrete brick walls. There was some natural bamboo behind the wall, but otherwise no plants. The house sits down in to the property, and to get to the front door you have to descend a steep set of stairs. This patio area is one of the first things people see as they descend the stairs to the front door, so we wanted to make it as inviting and cozy as possible. Plus, with all the natural tree coverage, it's a perfect place during hot days to curl up with a book or glass of wine under the shade. Not wanting to spend money on a massive renovation, the goal was to create a cozy niche for both entertaining guests and personal relaxation, reminiscent of an India-meets-Bali exotic retreat. We created something that was organic and natural looking, in harmony with the relaxed environment of Laguna Beach. To keep it budget friendly - and better for the environment - we also opted for recycled and pre-owned items we found on Craiglist and eBay. I chose to first mask the barren concrete walls with an carved wood screen from India, to add depth and interest. I placed two large daybeds with heavily padded cushions in an “L” shape to entice people to curl up and sink in. Rather than opting for a regular square patio table, I found a one-of-a-kind custom oak tree slab table (a fantastic Craiglist find!) that added a beautiful organic feel. The Moroccan lamp I brought back from one of my trips to Marrakech, and it added the perfect personal touch, in addition to personal sacred objects such as an antique Kwan Yin statue (great eBay find), crystals, and shells found at the beach. Finally, various plants were added — including both a satsuma orange tree and grapefruit tree that add lovely bursts of color when in season. And makes for a great quick snack when lounging about!

Small white painted kitchen in cottage on the beach in California. Natural wood shelves and natural materials with white cabinetry, A small weekend beach resort home for a family of four with two little girls. Remodeled from a funky old house built in the 60's on Oxnard Shores. This little white cottage has the master bedroom, a playroom, guest bedroom and girls' bunk room upstairs, while downstairs there is a 1960s feel family room with an industrial modern style bar for the family's many parties and celebrations. A great room open to the dining area with a zinc dining table and rattan chairs. Fireplace features custom iron doors, and green glass tile surround. New white cabinets and bookshelves flank the real wood burning fire place. Simple clean white cabinetry in the kitchen with x designs on glass cabinet doors and peninsula ends. Durable, beautiful white quartzite counter tops and yes! porcelain planked floors for durability! The girls can run in and out without worrying about the beach sand damage!. White painted planked and beamed ceilings, natural reclaimed woods mixed with rattans and velvets for comfortable, beautiful interiors Project Location: Oxnard, California. Project designed by Maraya Interior Design. From their beautiful resort town of Ojai, they serve clients in Montecito, Hope Ranch, Malibu, Westlake and Calabasas, across the tri-county areas of Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles, south to Hidden Hills- north through Solvang and more.

J,Weiland

Roger Wade Studio

Photo: Teness Herman © 2015 Houzz
Inspiration for an eclectic kitchen remodel in Los Angeles

See what our client say about working with us: I started my search for a contractor about a year before I hired Paul to do a kitchen and bathroom renovation. This was my first time at the bat, and I really had no idea what to expect. I had many contractor proposals that swung wildly in price but for some reason I never felt inclined to hire any of the guys I met with. I happened to be looking at Houzz one day and came across Paul’s company and he had very good reviews. I gave him a call and he came to my apartment quickly. I liked him immediately when we met. I thought it was strange that he asked me for my budget and how much I wanted to spend but in hindsight, providing that information allowed Paul to come back to me with a very detailed proposal based on my budget. I soon realized that the lower proposals I had did not include many of the budget items that would be necessary to complete the job. Paul laid out the pricing and provided a very reasonable “allowance” based on your measurements for tile, toilet, sinks, etc. It is up to you to stay within that allowance. Another reason I hired Paul was because of his design skills. Paul met me in the at tile stores several times and helped guide me in choosing tile and a style for the bathroom that really looks beautiful. I fought him a little but in the end, was glad I went with his recommendations. He also uses a kitchen cabinet maker so all the cabinets are custom to what you want. Paul also has a great customer website that allows you to see all the expenses, make choices, and easily communicate with him. If you are planning to do a renovation, I think it helps to plan for the worst and hope for the best. I live in a co-op and we had a couple of little glitches and Paul was always quick to resolve issues as they arose. He was extremely responsive and really cared about the work and doing a good job. I would definitely hire Paul again if I needed a contractor.

This home outside of Philadelphia was designed to be family friendly and comfortable space and is just the place to relax and spend family time as well as have enough seating for entertaining. The living room has a large sectional to cozy up with a movie or to entertain. The historic home is bright and open all while feeling collected, comfortable and cozy. The applied box molding on the living room wall adds a subtle pattern all while being a striking focal point for the room. The grand foyer is fresh and inviting and uncluttered and allows for ample space for guests to be welcomed to the home. The kitchen was refreshed to include a contrasting toned island, blue backsplash tile and bright brass fixtures and lighting

Our client’s goal was to connect the kitchen with the family room for ease of conversation across the room while entertaining, cooking, reading and spending time together. Our plan to connect the kitchen and family room included eliminating most of the wall between the spaces and adding a peninsula island that would serve as working space on the kitchen side, and seating on the family room side. Our design also included new lighting, new furniture, and new flooring throughout the first floor. We also remodeled the first floor powder room and second floor guest bathroom with a completely new look.

Our mission was to completely update and transform their huge house into a cozy, welcoming and warm home of their own. “When we moved in, it was such a novelty to live in a proper house. But it still felt like the in-law’s home,” our clients told us. “Our dream was to make it feel like our home.” Our transformation skills were put to the test when we created the host-worthy kitchen space (complete with a barista bar!) that would double as the heart of their home and a place to make memories with their friends and family. We upgraded and updated their dark and uninviting family room with fresh furnishings, flooring and lighting and turned those beautiful exposed beams into a feature point of the space. The end result was a flow of modern, welcoming and authentic spaces that finally felt like home. And, yep … the invite was officially sent out! Our clients had an eclectic style rich in history, culture and a lifetime of adventures. We wanted to highlight these stories in their home and give their memorabilia places to be seen and appreciated. The at-home office was crafted to blend subtle elegance with a calming, casual atmosphere that would make it easy for our clients to enjoy spending time in the space (without it feeling like they were working!) We carefully selected a pop of color as the feature wall in the primary suite and installed a gorgeous shiplap ledge wall for our clients to display their meaningful art and memorabilia. Then, we carried the theme all the way into the ensuite to create a retreat that felt complete.

Built-in coffee bar means never having to spend your early morning anywhere but your luxurious master suite.
Bedroom - transitional bedroom idea in Dallas

Rustic Splendor is a beautiful family retreat in Texas. Full of charm, this exterior features a beautiful statement chimney and unique chevron barn doors. The 12-foot open porch provides plenty of shade for entertaining outside, and the pool allows guests to escape the Texas heat. Inside, you will find a rustic yet refined design. Exposed post-and-beam framing creates warmth throughout the home and is beautifully paired with brick and dark steel accents to create a rustic look. Soft touches throughout the house, such as white cabinets, soft tan furnishings, glittery chandeliers, and statement lighting, add elegance to the masculine base of the space. This barn home is the perfect place to spend quality time with loved ones.

We were excited when the homeowners of this project approached us to help them with their whole house remodel as this is a historic preservation project. The historical society has approved this remodel. As part of that distinction we had to honor the original look of the home; keeping the façade updated but intact. For example the doors and windows are new but they were made as replicas to the originals. The homeowners were relocating from the Inland Empire to be closer to their daughter and grandchildren. One of their requests was additional living space. In order to achieve this we added a second story to the home while ensuring that it was in character with the original structure. The interior of the home is all new. It features all new plumbing, electrical and HVAC. Although the home is a Spanish Revival the homeowners style on the interior of the home is very traditional. The project features a home gym as it is important to the homeowners to stay healthy and fit. The kitchen / great room was designed so that the homewoners could spend time with their daughter and her children. The home features two master bedroom suites. One is upstairs and the other one is down stairs. The homeowners prefer to use the downstairs version as they are not forced to use the stairs. They have left the upstairs master suite as a guest suite. Enjoy some of the before and after images of this project: http://www.houzz.com/discussions/3549200/old-garage-office-turned-gym-in-los-angeles http://www.houzz.com/discussions/3558821/la-face-lift-for-the-patio http://www.houzz.com/discussions/3569717/la-kitchen-remodel http://www.houzz.com/discussions/3579013/los-angeles-entry-hall http://www.houzz.com/discussions/3592549/exterior-shots-of-a-whole-house-remodel-in-la http://www.houzz.com/discussions/3607481/living-dining-rooms-become-a-library-and-formal-dining-room-in-la http://www.houzz.com/discussions/3628842/bathroom-makeover-in-los-angeles-ca http://www.houzz.com/discussions/3640770/sweet-dreams-la-bedroom-remodels Exterior: Approved by the historical society as a Spanish Revival, the second story of this home was an addition. All of the windows and doors were replicated to match the original styling of the house. The roof is a combination of Gable and Hip and is made of red clay tile. The arched door and windows are typical of Spanish Revival. The home also features a Juliette Balcony and window. Library / Living Room: The library offers Pocket Doors and custom bookcases. Powder Room: This powder room has a black toilet and Herringbone travertine. Kitchen: This kitchen was designed for someone who likes to cook! It features a Pot Filler, a peninsula and an island, a prep sink in the island, and cookbook storage on the end of the peninsula. The homeowners opted for a mix of stainless and paneled appliances. Although they have a formal dining room they wanted a casual breakfast area to enjoy informal meals with their grandchildren. The kitchen also utilizes a mix of recessed lighting and pendant lights. A wine refrigerator and outlets conveniently located on the island and around the backsplash are the modern updates that were important to the homeowners. Master bath: The master bath enjoys both a soaking tub and a large shower with body sprayers and hand held. For privacy, the bidet was placed in a water closet next to the shower. There is plenty of counter space in this bathroom which even includes a makeup table. Staircase: The staircase features a decorative niche Upstairs master suite: The upstairs master suite features the Juliette balcony Outside: Wanting to take advantage of southern California living the homeowners requested an outdoor kitchen complete with retractable awning. The fountain and lounging furniture keep it light. Home gym: This gym comes completed with rubberized floor covering and dedicated bathroom. It also features its own HVAC system and wall mounted TV.

This San Diego backyard was designed to feel like a private resort, perfect for relaxing, entertaining, and spending time outdoors year-round. At the heart of the space is a sleek custom pool and raised spa, finished with glass tile and surrounded by large-format porcelain decking. A raised stone wall with spillway water features adds movement and creates a beautiful focal point from throughout the yard. The standout feature is the covered outdoor kitchen and bar pavilion, designed as a true outdoor living room. The structure includes exposed beams, integrated lighting, ceiling fans, and heaters for year-round comfort. A large quartz bar island provides seating for guests, while the kitchen includes a professional grill, refrigeration, and plenty of prep space. Behind the bar, a decorative tile feature wall with floating shelves and a large outdoor TV creates the perfect setting for game days or evening gatherings. An elevated lounge terrace with chaise seating, shade umbrellas, and a fire feature offers another place to unwind, while layered lighting and subtle pool illumination bring the entire backyard to life at night. This project reflects Evoscapes’ approach to luxury backyard design in San Diego, combining modern pool construction, outdoor kitchen design, and thoughtful landscape architecture to create a seamless outdoor living experience.

This adorable kitchen in Point Loma, CA is now open to the family room, small in spaces but united with a nature-inspired color palette. The kitchen went through an extensive remodel removing walls, raised ceiling, exposing the beam and a new glass door for the back entry and now this small kitchen feel open and spacious. The cabinetry features shaker elements―clean lines, plain trim, and little ornamentation― great for transitional decor. Functional fixtures and modern appliances peacefully coexist with the mosaic marble backsplash. Hidden behind the door panels is a 30” Subzero refrigerator/freezer integrated nicely to keep the kitchen plan, clean and understated. The corner sink is recessed back adding a nice detail but even more importantly a more accessible corner access to the kitchen windows. Accessories and details added to the kitchen cabinets give this chef everything she was looking for with a spice pullout, knife block pullout and rollouts to top off the new cabinets. When space is tight it is a great option for a small family to open up the walls and add a counter where the family can dine. On the walls, neutral gray painted create a soothing atmosphere. Adjacent to the kitchen was a cramped room that functioned as a workout room and laundry room. By changing some wall space, closing in a door and removing a closet the new space has great storage and is more open and functional for a quick workout. In the family room the fireplace was re-tiled with a concrete looking porcelain tile topped off with a rustic beam mantle. Combined with new home furnishings to make the most of a small space this new family room is both functional and a great place for the couple to spend time with each other on a daily basis and to entertain guest and a new space has been created with the feel of a comfortable cozy space for all to enjoy. Contractor: CairnsCraft Remodeling Designer: Bonnie Bogley Catlin Photogtapher: Jon Upson

Succulents in a rectanglular planter on the dining table make for a modern centerpiece. Photo Credits- Sigurjón Gudjónsson
Example of a small 1950s light wood floor great room design in New York with white walls and no fireplace

Photo Credit: Damien Hendley Larger north facing windows can bring much needed light into darker rooms. Mixed materials were used to keep the space feeling warm, while providing a generous amount of light coloured horizontal finishes to allow light to bounce through the space. A key to filling a space with light that does not glare is to have light coming into the room from different walls.