Our clients loved the location of their duplex home with its peak-a-boo ocean view, but their existing kitchen was not suited for their growing family. They wanted a kitchen with a coastal vibe, plenty of storage space, and an eat-in area. We started by bringing the far wall into the kitchen space to accommodate a large panty and communication center for the family. Doing this allowed us to move the refrigerator out of the main traffic area and doubled the amount of storage space. Several new windows were added to bring in natural light. A half wall was moved to allow more countertop area and open up sight lines. The previously awkwardly shaped island was slimmed down to create better flow. There were a few venting challenges to overcome; gas lines and plumbing had to be re-routed without disturbing the unit below. To open up sight lines, soffits were eliminated which allowed the extension of cabinets to the ceiling. To stay within the homeowner’s budget, we match existing scraped flooring by lacing in and repairing patches. The old dining area was too small for table, so we designed and built a custom banquette to maximize the space and take advantage of the outdoor views. The overall space works for family meals as well as entertaining. A light summer palette was used to reflect the shades of the sand, sea and sky. Even though the new kitchen is actually smaller than the original space, its now far more functional and open.

Photographed by Robert Radifera Photography Styled and Produced by Stylish Productions
Bedroom - mid-sized coastal master medium tone wood floor bedroom idea in Other with gray walls and no fireplace

The goal was to open up this bathroom, update it, bring it to life! 123 Remodeling went for modern, but zen; rough, yet warm. We mixed ideas of modern finishes like the concrete floor with the warm wood tone and textures on the wall that emulates bamboo to balance each other. The matte black finishes were appropriate final touches to capture the urban location of this master bathroom located in Chicago’s West Loop. https://123remodeling.com - Chicago Kitchen & Bath Remodeler

A Basement Home Gym with floor to ceiling sliding glass doors open on to a light filled outdoor patio.
Example of a mid-sized trendy light wood floor and brown floor multiuse home gym design in Los Angeles with white walls

Room design by Sari Sunshine Photograph by Fine Photography by Stephanie
Example of a trendy blue floor bedroom design in New York with blue walls

This partially wooded, acre and a half lot in West Dundee presented many challenges. The clients began working with a Landscape Architect in the early spring, but after not getting the innovative ideas they were seeking, the home builder and Architect suggested the client contact our landscape design/build firm. We immediately hit it off with the charismatic clients. They had a tall order for us: complete the design and implement the construction within a three month period. For many projects this would be a reasonable time frame. However construction delays and the coordination of multiple trades left a very short window to complete the work. Beyond the tight time frame the site required specific care in preserving the many mature surrounding trees, as well as addressing a vast grade change. Over fifteen feet of grade change occurs from one end of this woodland property to the other. All of these constraints proved to be an enormous challenge as we worked to include and coordinate the following elements: the drive layout, a dramatic front entry, various gardens, landscape lighting, irrigation, and a plan for a backyard pool and entertainment space that already had been started without a clear plan. Fortunately, the client loved our design ideas and attention to detail and we were able to mobilize and begin construction. With the seamless coordination between our firm and the builder we implemented all the elements of this grand project. In total eight different crews and five separate trades worked together to complete the landscape. The completed project resulted in a rewarding experience for our firm, the builder and architect, as well as the client. Together we were able to create and construct a perfect oasis for the client that suited the beautiful property and the architecture of this dream home.

Gibeon Photography. Troy Lighting Edison Pendants / Phillip Jeffries Faux Leather Wall covering
Alcove shower - rustic alcove shower idea in New York with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, beige walls, an integrated sink, concrete countertops and a hinged shower door

The overall impact of this kitchen space is the defining element in the overall scheme for the project. We were able to flip around a stone fireplace to become a dominant focal point in the interior space. We created a central axis from front to rear by the addition of the massive window wall leading to the outdoor entertaining area. Clearly the woodwork and the attention to every detail are evident in the final product. This unique kitchen is the focal point of 2 complimentary buildings which have been connected to form a beautiful master suite on one side and a lively family room and dining room on the other. This central open kitchen is the focal point for this sensitive and creative renovation. Custom walnut cabinets and built-ins and Danby marble countertops blend perfectly with the carefully re-pointed stone walls of the original walls of the existing buildings.

Powder room in 1930's vintage Marina home. Architect: Gary Ahern Photography: Lisa Sze
Example of a small tuscan 3/4 ceramic tile and gray tile marble floor bathroom design in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, marble countertops, beige walls and a two-piece toilet

Two adjacent warehouse units in a circa 1915 building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, were combined into a single modern live / work space. Careful consideration was paid to honoring and preserving original elements like exposed brick walls, timber beams and columns, hardwood and concrete floors and plaster walls.

Inspiration for a contemporary home theater remodel in Miami

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   This client was referred to us from a past client. They are a busy 2-career household with young children and enjoy entertaining friends and family in their home. They have a beautiful open concept home but unfortunately the kitchen was not fitting for the rest of the home. They were not quite sure what to do with the space. We talked about trying to refresh it or do more of a minor remodel, but in the end they decided a full gut would get them to where they wanted to be. One problem was there was no place for guests to hang out other than the large and awkward banquette area. The brick wall and tiled hood area were feeling a bit dated and tired. The space was just not functional for their lifestyle. There was no prep space near the cooktop and no landing area for items coming out of the ovens or refrigerator, plus a big dead zone in the center of the room. Banquettes, like the one they previously had in the space, are great for small spaces, but when they get really large like this one, it makes getting in and out of the seating area awkward and uncomfortable. Plus, there was room for a large table, so we eliminated the awkward built in. We started by removing the faux brick wall between the kitchen and back entry. We relocated the entry to the garage over a couple feet in order to get every last inch out of the new kitchen. We also made the decision to close up the primary window that faced the pretty ho hum brick wall of the neighbor’s house. There was plenty of light coming in from the seating area, so we just didn’t feel the window was adding much to the room. Construction went smoothy. There was a bit of rework with electrical, flooring and HVAC, but in the end, we think it was well worth it. The clients really wanted a sleek contemporary look, and we originally had planned for a full height slab backsplash, but due to it’s size, it was a budget buster. Instead, we got creative and settled on large format porcelain tiles that have a similar feel but were a fraction of the cost. We made sure the wall was plumb and level so that the fit and finish would mimic that of slab material. The final space was quite a change. A large prep sink sits directly across from the new pro-style range with plenty additional prep space on the large island. The refrigerator and ovens now have miles of landing space, and a nice tight work triangle makes cooking a breeze. Since we wanted a more contemporary feel, not many wall cabinets were included. Instead, we outfitted some of the drawers for dish storage with a peg system. Two large pantries flanking the refrigerator hold baking supplies and small appliances. Large drawers by the cooktop hold pots and pans, and an appliance garage tucked away to the left of the range hides away miscellaneous items. The large island also houses a microwave drawer and tons of storage, most of which is drawers offering maximum convenience. The island now seats 5-6 people comfortably along with the new table in the seating area which can seat up to 8. Entertaining will be a breeze in this space. With such a clean backdrop, we knew we would need some drama with the lighting, so we chose two sets of staggered pendants, which we adjusted for the right visual balance above the island. We also included a small coffee station to the right of the main kitchen, which helps keep the coffee clutter out of the kitchen proper. Two tones of complimentary gray are featured in this kitchen. The perimeter is a light gray that reads almost white. The island is a gray stain that adds some depth and interest with the visible wood texture. The countertops are clean white quartz, and the hardware, barstools and light fixtures add warm brass tones. I see lots of cooking and entertaining with family and friends in the near future in this bright and airy new space. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Cramped kitchen be gone! That was the project motto and top priority. The goal was to transform the current layout from multiple smaller spaces into a connected whole that would activate the main level for our clients, a young family of four. The biggest obstacle was the wall dividing the kitchen and the dining room. Removing this wall was central to opening up and integrating the main living spaces, but the existing ductwork that ran right through the center of the wall posed a design challenge, er design opportunity. The resulting design solution features a central pantry that captures the ductwork and provides valuable storage- especially when compared to the original kitchen's 18" wide pantry cabinet. The pantry also anchors the kitchen island and serves as a visual separation of space between the kitchen and homework area. Through our design development process, we learned the formal living room was of no service to their lifestyle and therefore space they rarely spent time in. With that in mind, we proposed to eliminate the unused living room and make it the new dining room. Relocating the dining room to this space inherently felt right given the soaring ceiling and ample room for holiday dinners and celebrations. The new dining room was spacious enough for us to incorporate a conversational seating area in the warm, south-facing window alcove. Now what to do with the old dining room?! To answer that question we took inspiration from our clients' shared profession in education and developed a craft area/homework station for both of their boys. The semi-custom cabinetry of the desk area carries over to the adjacent wall and forms window bench base with storage that we topped with butcher block for a touch of warmth. While the boys are young, the bench drawers are the perfect place for a stash of toys close to the kitchen. The kitchen begins just beyond the window seat with their refrigerator enclosure. Opposite the refrigerator is the new pantry with twenty linear feet of shelving and space for brooms and a stick vacuum. Extending from the backside of the pantry the kitchen island design incorporates counter seating on the family room side and a cabinetry configuration on the kitchen side with drawer storage, a trashcan center, farmhouse sink, and dishwasher. We took careful time in design and execution to align the range and sink because while it might seem like a small detail, it plays an important role in supporting the symmetrical configuration of the back wall of the kitchen. The rear wall design utilizes an appliance garage mirrors the visual impact of the refrigerator enclosure and helps keep the now open kitchen tidy. Between the appliance garage and refrigerator enclosure is the cooking zone with 30" of cabinetry and work surface on either side of the range, a chimney style vent hood, and a bold graphic tile backsplash. The backsplash is just one of many personal touches we added to the space to reflect our client's modern eclectic style and love of color. Swooping lines of the mid-mod style barstools compliment the pendants and backsplash pattern. A pop of vibrant green on the frame of the pantry door adds a fresh wash of color to an otherwise neutral space. The big show stopper is the custom charcoal gray and copper chevron wall installation in the dining room. This was an idea our clients softly suggested, and we excitedly embraced the opportunity. It is also a kickass solution to the head-scratching design dilemma of how to fill a large and lofty wall. We are so grateful to bring this design to life for our clients and now dear friends.

Architect: Mary Brewster, Brewster Thornton Group
Mid-sized elegant master beige tile and limestone tile limestone floor and beige floor bathroom photo in Providence with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, a wall-mount toilet and beige walls

Size doesn’t matter when it comes to quality of design. For this petite Cape-style home along the Eagle River in Ipswich, Massachusetts, we focused on creating a warm, inviting space designed for family living. Radiating from the kitchen – the “heart” of the home – we created connections to all the other spaces in the home: eating areas, living areas, the mudroom and entries, even the upstairs. Details like the highly functional yet utterly charming under-the-stairs drawers and cupboards make this house extra special while the open floor plan gives it a big house feel without sacrificing coziness. In 2018, the home was updated with interior trim details, including new shaker paneling on the staircase and custom newel post, a TV built-in with shelves and drawers and beadboard back, and a half wall bookshelf with columns to replace the wall dividing the living room from dining room. The client also wanted a gas fireplace to enjoy during the winter, but didn't want to lose their beautiful marsh views. We designed the fireplace to go below the window, vented out the rear, with pebbled tile surround and benches flanking either side for storage.

The idea for this space came from two key elements: functionality and design. Being a multi-purpose space, this room presents a beautiful workstation with black and rattan desk atop a hair on hide zebra print rug. The credenza behind the desk allows for ample storage for office supplies and linens for the stylish and comfortable white sleeper sofa. Stunning geometric wall covering, custom drapes and a black and gold light fixture add to the collected mid-century modern and contemporary feel. Photo: Zeke Ruelas

Sean Litchfield
Inspiration for a transitional master gray floor bedroom remodel in Boston with gray walls

Lake Front Country Estate Living Room, designed by Tom Markalunas, built by Resort Custom Homes. Photography by Rachael Boling.
Inspiration for a timeless formal and open concept medium tone wood floor living room remodel in Other with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

We plastered the walls and ceilings throughout this expansive Hill Country home for Baxter Design Group. The plastering and the custom stained beams and woodwork throughout give this home an authentic Old World vibe. Living Space featuring plaster walls, stained wood beams, and metal windows.