Before purchasing their early 20th-century Prairie-style home, perfect in so many ways for their growing family, the parents asked LiLu whether its imperfections could be remedied. Specifically, they were sad to leave a kid-focused happy home full of color, pattern, texture, and durability thanks to LiLu. Could the new house, with lots of woodwork, be made brighter and lighter? Of course. In the living areas, LiLu selected a high-gloss turquoise paint that reflects light for selected cabinets and the fireplace surround; the color complements original handmade blue-green tile in the home. Graphic floral and abstract prints, and furnishings and accessories in lively shades of pink, were layered throughout to create a bright, playful aesthetic. Elsewhere, staircase spindles were painted turquoise to bring out their arts-and-craft design and heighten the abstract wallpaper and striped runner. Wallpaper featuring 60s-era superheroes, metallic butterflies, cartoon bears, and flamingos enliven other rooms of the house. In the kitchen, an orange island adds zest to cream-colored cabinets and brick backsplash. The family’s new home is now their happy home. ------ Project designed by Minneapolis interior design studio LiLu Interiors. They serve the Minneapolis-St. Paul area including Wayzata, Edina, and Rochester, and they travel to the far-flung destinations that their upscale clientele own second homes in. ------ For more about LiLu Interiors, click here: https://www.liluinteriors.com/ ---- To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.liluinteriors.com/blog/portfolio-items/posh-playhouse-2-kitchen/

Retaining all the character of a 1923 whimsical while expanding to meet the needs of an active family of five. This classic and timeless transformation strikes a beautiful balance between the charm of the existing home and the opportunities to realize something custom. First, we reclaimed the attached one-car garage for a much-needed command central kitchen - organized in zones for cooking, dining, gathering, scheduling, homework and entertaining. With a devotion to design, a stunning, custom, nickel Ann Morris pot rack was chosen as a focal point, appliances were concealed with painted, raised-panel cabinetry and finishes like white quartzite countertops, white fireclay sinks and dark stained floors added just the right amount of light and color. Outside the bustle of the family space, the previous kitchen became a butler’s pantry and richly-paneled library for reading, relaxing and enjoying cigars. The addition of a mud room, family room, and a wonderful space we lovingly call “The Jewel Room” for its heightened luxurious detail, completed the perfect remodel – opening up new space for the busy children, while providing comfortable respites for their happy parents.

This roomy 1-story home includes a 2-car garage with a mudroom entry, a welcoming front porch, back yard deck, daylight basement, and heightened 9’ ceilings throughout. The Kitchen, Breakfast Area, and Great Room share an open floor plan with plenty of natural light, and sliding glass door access to the deck from the Breakfast Area. A cozy gas fireplace with stone surround, flanked by windows, adorns the spacious Great Room. The Kitchen opens to the Breakfast Area and Great Room with a wrap-around breakfast bar counter for eat-in seating, and includes a pantry and stainless steel appliances. At the front of the home, the formal Dining Room includes triple windows, an elegant chair rail with block detail, and crown molding. The Owner’s Suite is quietly situated back a hallway and features an elegant truncated ceiling in the bedroom, a private bath with a 5’ shower and cultured marble double vanity top, and a large walk-in closet.

When we call this kitchen, dining area and bathroom "Tiny but Luxe," we mean it literally: this kitchen is a walk-through galley that's hardly more than 125 square feet, and the bathroom is quite small as well. So in order to make this tiny home feel more spacious, we opened the wall to the living room to allow light to flow through the living spaces to the dining nook, and over the new peninsula we designed a custom wine rack to create a differentiation of spaces. With a carefully heightened archway between the nook and kitchen, and a new matching arched opening between kitchen and living space, there is a beautiful, and natural openness now even as we were careful to delineate the spaces. A custom banquette in a beautiful hunter green and gorgeous wallpaper draw the eye to the dining area, and also create a feeling of a larger space. By incorporating smaller appliances and custom-built pieces, the space feels larger and everything fits. The newly imagined spaces feel airy and light. We installed a Lacanche Cormatin and accented the black of the range with a slab of absolutely stunning Statuario marble with dramatic gray and black veining. Our built-in 24" fridge allows the working side of the kitchen to function as if it's twice as large--you'll see the built-in fridge to the left of the Lacanche.

after photo by Jeff Allen
Inspiration for a small craftsman slate floor and black floor japanese bathtub remodel in Boston with yellow walls

A green wall was desired to heighten the mood of paramount luxury. The owners explored various options to incorporate greenery into the space and found Vistafolia to be the perfect, ‘obvious’ solution. The owners found Vistafolia's UV-stable panels to be just the right cladding product for the concrete wall, which is exposed to direct sunlight from 11 am onwards. Temperatures can also soar to above 100 degree Fahrenheit in the summer months, making the rooftop environment inhospitable for real plants. With our maintenance-free and weather-resistant signature panels, they need not worry about plant survival and watering, especially during the peak summer season. The UV-protected panels deliver vibrant green year-round, creating an uplifting atmosphere for guests enjoying the spectacular rooftop views.

Designer details abound in this custom 2-story home with craftsman style exterior complete with fiber cement siding, attractive stone veneer, and a welcoming front porch. In addition to the 2-car side entry garage with finished mudroom, a breezeway connects the home to a 3rd car detached garage. Heightened 10’ceilings grace the 1st floor and impressive features throughout include stylish trim and ceiling details. The elegant Dining Room to the front of the home features a tray ceiling and craftsman style wainscoting with chair rail. Adjacent to the Dining Room is a formal Living Room with cozy gas fireplace. The open Kitchen is well-appointed with HanStone countertops, tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, and a pantry. The sunny Breakfast Area provides access to a stamped concrete patio and opens to the Family Room with wood ceiling beams and a gas fireplace accented by a custom surround. A first-floor Study features trim ceiling detail and craftsman style wainscoting. The Owner’s Suite includes craftsman style wainscoting accent wall and a tray ceiling with stylish wood detail. The Owner’s Bathroom includes a custom tile shower, free standing tub, and oversized closet.

A green wall was desired to heighten the mood of paramount luxury. The owners explored various options to incorporate greenery into the space and found Vistafolia to be the perfect, ‘obvious’ solution. The owners found Vistafolia's UV-stable panels to be just the right cladding product for the concrete wall, which is exposed to direct sunlight from 11 am onwards. Temperatures can also soar to above 100 degree Fahrenheit in the summer months, making the rooftop environment inhospitable for real plants. With our maintenance-free and weather-resistant signature panels, they need not worry about plant survival and watering, especially during the peak summer season. The UV-protected panels deliver vibrant green year-round, creating an uplifting atmosphere for guests enjoying the spectacular rooftop views.

A green wall was desired to heighten the mood of paramount luxury. The owners explored various options to incorporate greenery into the space and found Vistafolia to be the perfect, ‘obvious’ solution. The owners found Vistafolia's UV-stable panels to be just the right cladding product for the concrete wall, which is exposed to direct sunlight from 11 am onwards. Temperatures can also soar to above 100 degree Fahrenheit in the summer months, making the rooftop environment inhospitable for real plants. With our maintenance-free and weather-resistant signature panels, they need not worry about plant survival and watering, especially during the peak summer season. The UV-protected panels deliver vibrant green year-round, creating an uplifting atmosphere for guests enjoying the spectacular rooftop views.

This roomy 1-story home includes a 2-car garage with a mudroom entry, a welcoming front porch, back yard deck, daylight basement, and heightened 9’ ceilings throughout. The Kitchen, Breakfast Area, and Great Room share an open floor plan with plenty of natural light, and sliding glass door access to the deck from the Breakfast Area. A cozy gas fireplace with stone surround, flanked by windows, adorns the spacious Great Room. The Kitchen opens to the Breakfast Area and Great Room with a wrap-around breakfast bar counter for eat-in seating, and includes a pantry and stainless steel appliances. At the front of the home, the formal Dining Room includes triple windows, an elegant chair rail with block detail, and crown molding. The Owner’s Suite is quietly situated back a hallway and features an elegant truncated ceiling in the bedroom, a private bath with a 5’ shower and cultured marble double vanity top, and a large walk-in closet.

Example of a trendy l-shaped eat-in kitchen design in Miami with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, brown cabinets, quartzite countertops, metallic backsplash and stainless steel appliances

A green wall was desired to heighten the mood of paramount luxury. The owners explored various options to incorporate greenery into the space and found Vistafolia to be the perfect, ‘obvious’ solution. The owners found Vistafolia's UV-stable panels to be just the right cladding product for the concrete wall, which is exposed to direct sunlight from 11 am onwards. Temperatures can also soar to above 100 degree Fahrenheit in the summer months, making the rooftop environment inhospitable for real plants. With our maintenance-free and weather-resistant signature panels, they need not worry about plant survival and watering, especially during the peak summer season. The UV-protected panels deliver vibrant green year-round, creating an uplifting atmosphere for guests enjoying the spectacular rooftop views.

A couple wanted a weekend retreat without spending a majority of their getaway in an automobile. Therefore, a lot was purchased along the Rocky River with the vision of creating a nearby escape less than five miles away from their home. This 1,300 sf 24’ x 24’ dwelling is divided into a four square quadrant with the goal to create a variety of interior and exterior experiences while maintaining a rather small footprint. Typically, when going on a weekend retreat one has the drive time to decompress. However, without this, the goal was to create a procession from the car to the house to signify such change of context. This concept was achieved through the use of a wood slatted screen wall which must be passed through. After winding around a collection of poured concrete steps and walls one comes to a wood plank bridge and crosses over a Japanese garden leaving all the stresses of the daily world behind. The house is structured around a nine column steel frame grid, which reinforces the impression one gets of the four quadrants. The two rear quadrants intentionally house enclosed program space but once passed through, the floor plan completely opens to long views down to the mouth of the river into Lake Erie. On the second floor the four square grid is stacked with one quadrant removed for the two story living area on the first floor to capture heightened views down the river. In a move to create complete separation there is a one quadrant roof top office with surrounding roof top garden space. The rooftop office is accessed through a unique approach by exiting onto a steel grated staircase which wraps up the exterior facade of the house. This experience provides an additional retreat within their weekend getaway, and serves as the apex of the house where one can completely enjoy the views of Lake Erie disappearing over the horizon. Visually the house extends into the riverside site, but the four quadrant axis also physically extends creating a series of experiences out on the property. The Northeast kitchen quadrant extends out to become an exterior kitchen & dining space. The two-story Northwest living room quadrant extends out to a series of wrap around steps and lounge seating. A fire pit sits in this quadrant as well farther out in the lawn. A fruit and vegetable garden sits out in the Southwest quadrant in near proximity to the shed, and the entry sequence is contained within the Southeast quadrant extension. Internally and externally the whole house is organized in a simple and concise way and achieves the ultimate goal of creating many different experiences within a rationally sized footprint.

ARCHITECTURE: Certificate of Merit
 PROJECT: Consolidation and Sustainability Initiative – Building 14 CLIENT: Bayer Material Science ARCHITECTURE FIRM: IDC Architects, PC CONTRACTOR: Bridges & Company, Inc. ENGINEERS: IDC Architects, PC PHOTOGRAPHER: Massery Photography, Inc. DESCRIPTION: During the design of the Building 14 renovation, it became apparent the existing lobby was insufficient and an expansion for a new lobby was necessary. Expanding the lobby provided an opportunity to enhance the building entry. The design alludes to a traditional ‘porch’ as a welcoming gesture. The selection of materials and how they are joined and supported heightens the experience of place and provides visual interest at an intimate scale. Originally an afterthought, the new entrance has become a centerpiece for the building and the surrounding campus. JURY COMMENTS: This is a restrained and elegant intervention on an existing building. It was done very honestly. The architects enhanced the building by creating a stronger entrance. The plaza engages the landscape and the jury liked the interaction between it and the building. The pavilion and entry procession integrate nicely with the outside, landscape and parking.

This roomy 1-story home includes a 2-car garage with a mudroom entry, a welcoming front porch, back yard deck, daylight basement, and heightened 9’ ceilings throughout. The Kitchen, Breakfast Area, and Great Room share an open floor plan with plenty of natural light, and sliding glass door access to the deck from the Breakfast Area. A cozy gas fireplace with stone surround, flanked by windows, adorns the spacious Great Room. The Kitchen opens to the Breakfast Area and Great Room with a wrap-around breakfast bar counter for eat-in seating, and includes a pantry and stainless steel appliances. At the front of the home, the formal Dining Room includes triple windows, an elegant chair rail with block detail, and crown molding. The Owner’s Suite is quietly situated back a hallway and features an elegant truncated ceiling in the bedroom, a private bath with a 5’ shower and cultured marble double vanity top, and a large walk-in closet.

Designer details abound in this custom 2-story home with craftsman style exterior complete with fiber cement siding, attractive stone veneer, and a welcoming front porch. In addition to the 2-car side entry garage with finished mudroom, a breezeway connects the home to a 3rd car detached garage. Heightened 10’ceilings grace the 1st floor and impressive features throughout include stylish trim and ceiling details. The elegant Dining Room to the front of the home features a tray ceiling and craftsman style wainscoting with chair rail. Adjacent to the Dining Room is a formal Living Room with cozy gas fireplace. The open Kitchen is well-appointed with HanStone countertops, tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, and a pantry. The sunny Breakfast Area provides access to a stamped concrete patio and opens to the Family Room with wood ceiling beams and a gas fireplace accented by a custom surround. A first-floor Study features trim ceiling detail and craftsman style wainscoting. The Owner’s Suite includes craftsman style wainscoting accent wall and a tray ceiling with stylish wood detail. The Owner’s Bathroom includes a custom tile shower, free standing tub, and oversized closet.

This roomy 1-story home includes a 2-car garage with a mudroom entry, a welcoming front porch, back yard deck, daylight basement, and heightened 9’ ceilings throughout. The Kitchen, Breakfast Area, and Great Room share an open floor plan with plenty of natural light, and sliding glass door access to the deck from the Breakfast Area. A cozy gas fireplace with stone surround, flanked by windows, adorns the spacious Great Room. The Kitchen opens to the Breakfast Area and Great Room with a wrap-around breakfast bar counter for eat-in seating, and includes a pantry and stainless steel appliances. At the front of the home, the formal Dining Room includes triple windows, an elegant chair rail with block detail, and crown molding. The Owner’s Suite is quietly situated back a hallway and features an elegant truncated ceiling in the bedroom, a private bath with a 5’ shower and cultured marble double vanity top, and a large walk-in closet.

This single family home had been recently flipped with builder-grade materials. We touched each and every room of the house to give it a custom designer touch, thoughtfully marrying our soft minimalist design aesthetic with the graphic designer homeowner’s own design sensibilities. One of the most notable transformations in the home was opening up the galley kitchen to create an open concept great room with large skylight to give the illusion of a larger communal space.

A green wall was desired to heighten the mood of paramount luxury. The owners explored various options to incorporate greenery into the space and found Vistafolia to be the perfect, ‘obvious’ solution. The owners found Vistafolia's UV-stable panels to be just the right cladding product for the concrete wall, which is exposed to direct sunlight from 11 am onwards. Temperatures can also soar to above 100 degree Fahrenheit in the summer months, making the rooftop environment inhospitable for real plants. With our maintenance-free and weather-resistant signature panels, they need not worry about plant survival and watering, especially during the peak summer season. The UV-protected panels deliver vibrant green year-round, creating an uplifting atmosphere for guests enjoying the spectacular rooftop views.