Search results for "Hosting easy" in Home Design Ideas

Photo by Boswell Hardwick.
This kitchen is the heart of the home, with dining and bar areas adjacent. The homeowners host friends and family regulary and wanted a comfortable way to entertain. The large island seats at least 4 at the Cambria quartz countertop with 'waterfall' edge. The cabinets are Scavolini Tundra Gray glossy lacquer, accented by white tempered glass hung in an aluminum frame on either side of the chimney stainless steel hood vent. Gray tiles travel throughout the open floor plan add a clean aesthetic, and are also very easy to maintain for the homeowners who have two large dogs!

This kitchen was designed to be warm, functional, and clean-lined. Double islands allow for easy hosting and prep. Walnut wood details on the hood and front of islands contrast with white stone countertops and marbled backsplash. Cabinet underlighting sets the mood and a beautiful glass light fixture adds uniqueness.

The goal for this kitchen was to create a beautiful and functional place that better matched the family needs. The owners said that there was not enough space for cooking and hosting large parties.
The existing kitchen’s layout didn’t allow for more space and openness. We decided to remove the wall between the kitchen and dining area to allow us to enlarge their kitchen and bring in an abundance of sunlight.
Alder wood cabinetry created a traditional, cozy feeling while the large island is ideal for cooking and hosting large gatherings. The pantry cabinets were designed with roll-outs, ample amount of drawers, and tray dividers which all provides easy access and organization. The upper glass doors cabinets adds a feeling of elegance.
We’re happy to say that the clients are very excited to enjoy the luxury of their new, functional kitchen that is filled with lots of light that can be enjoyed by the entire family. The bamboo flooring is a great accent to the look of the kitchen.
Dean J. Birinyi
Find the right local pro for your project

This tropical bamboo kitchen includes convenient storage accessories, such as a dedicated pull-out spice rack, that provide efficiency for the homeowner, who loves to cook and entertain guests. Other cabinet accessories include a built-in pantry and appliance wall, lift-up mixer shelving and a prep sink adjacent to the cooktop.

The owners of a charming home in the hills west of Paso Robles recently decided to remodel their not-so-charming kitchen. Referred to San Luis Kitchen by several of their friends, the homeowners visited our showroom and soon decided we were the best people to design a kitchen fitting the style of their home. We were delighted to get to work on the project right away.
When we arrived at the house, we found a small, cramped and out-dated kitchen. The ceiling was low, the cabinets old fashioned and painted a stark dead white, and the best view in the house was neglected in a seldom-used breakfast nook (sequestered behind the kitchen peninsula). This kitchen was also handicapped by white tile counters with dark grout, odd-sized and cluttered cabinets, and small ‘desk’ tacked on to the side of the oven cabinet. Due to a marked lack of counter space & inadequate storage the homeowner had resorted to keeping her small appliances on a little cart parked in the corner and the garbage was just sitting by the wall in full view of everything! On the plus side, the kitchen opened into a nice dining room and had beautiful saltillo tile floors.
Mrs. Homeowner loves to entertain and often hosts dinner parties for her friends. She enjoys visiting with her guests in the kitchen while putting the finishing touches on the evening’s meal. Sadly, her small kitchen really limited her interactions with her guests – she often felt left out of the mix at her own parties! This savvy homeowner dreamed big – a new kitchen that would accommodate multiple workstations, have space for guests to gather but not be in the way, and maybe a prettier transition from the kitchen to the dining (wine service area or hutch?) – while managing the remodel budget by reusing some of her major appliances and keeping (patching as needed) her existing floors.
Responding to the homeowner’s stated wish list and the opportunities presented by the home's setting and existing architecture, the designers at San Luis Kitchen decided to expand the kitchen into the breakfast nook using Wood-Mode cabinetry. This change allowed the work area to be reoriented to take advantage of the great view – we replaced the existing window and added another while moving the door to gain space. A second sink and set of refrigerator drawers (housing fresh fruits & veggies) were included for the convenience of this mainly vegetarian cook – her prep station. The clean-up area now boasts a farmhouse style single bowl sink – adding to the ‘cottage’ charm. We located a new gas cook-top between the two workstations for easy access from each. Also tucked in here is a pullout trash/recycle cabinet for convenience and additional drawers for storage.
Running parallel to the work counter we added a long butcher-block island with easy-to-access open shelves for the avid cook and seating for friendly guests placed just right to take in the view. A counter-top garage is used to hide excess small appliances. Glass door cabinets and open shelves are now available to display the owners beautiful dishware. The microwave was placed inconspicuously on the end of the island facing the refrigerator – easy access for guests (and extraneous family members) to help themselves to drinks and snacks while staying out of the cook’s way.
We also moved the pantry storage away from the dining room (putting it on the far wall and closer to the work triangle) and added a furniture-like hutch in its place allowing the more formal dining area to flow seamlessly into the up-beat work area of the kitchen. This space is now also home (opposite wall) to an under counter wine refrigerator, a liquor cabinet and pretty glass door wall cabinet for stemware storage – meeting Mr. Homeowner’s desire for a bar service area.
And then the aesthetic: an old-world style country cottage theme. The homeowners wanted the kitchen to have a warm feel while still loving the look of white cabinetry. San Luis Kitchen melded country-casual knotty pine base cabinets with vintage hand-brushed creamy white wall cabinets to create the desired cottage look. We also added bead board and mullioned glass doors for charm, used an inset doorstyle on the cabinets for authenticity, and mixed stone and wood counters to create an eclectic nuance in the space. All in all, the happy homeowners now boast a charming county cottage kitchen with plenty of space for entertaining their guests while creating gourmet meals to feed them.

The owners of a charming home in the hills west of Paso Robles recently decided to remodel their not-so-charming kitchen. Referred to San Luis Kitchen by several of their friends, the homeowners visited our showroom and soon decided we were the best people to design a kitchen fitting the style of their home. We were delighted to get to work on the project right away.
When we arrived at the house, we found a small, cramped and out-dated kitchen. The ceiling was low, the cabinets old fashioned and painted a stark dead white, and the best view in the house was neglected in a seldom-used breakfast nook (sequestered behind the kitchen peninsula). This kitchen was also handicapped by white tile counters with dark grout, odd-sized and cluttered cabinets, and small ‘desk’ tacked on to the side of the oven cabinet. Due to a marked lack of counter space & inadequate storage the homeowner had resorted to keeping her small appliances on a little cart parked in the corner and the garbage was just sitting by the wall in full view of everything! On the plus side, the kitchen opened into a nice dining room and had beautiful saltillo tile floors.
Mrs. Homeowner loves to entertain and often hosts dinner parties for her friends. She enjoys visiting with her guests in the kitchen while putting the finishing touches on the evening’s meal. Sadly, her small kitchen really limited her interactions with her guests – she often felt left out of the mix at her own parties! This savvy homeowner dreamed big – a new kitchen that would accommodate multiple workstations, have space for guests to gather but not be in the way, and maybe a prettier transition from the kitchen to the dining (wine service area or hutch?) – while managing the remodel budget by reusing some of her major appliances and keeping (patching as needed) her existing floors.
Responding to the homeowner’s stated wish list and the opportunities presented by the home's setting and existing architecture, the designers at San Luis Kitchen decided to expand the kitchen into the breakfast nook using Wood-Mode cabinetry. This change allowed the work area to be reoriented to take advantage of the great view – we replaced the existing window and added another while moving the door to gain space. A second sink and set of refrigerator drawers (housing fresh fruits & veggies) were included for the convenience of this mainly vegetarian cook – her prep station. The clean-up area now boasts a farmhouse style single bowl sink – adding to the ‘cottage’ charm. We located a new gas cook-top between the two workstations for easy access from each. Also tucked in here is a pullout trash/recycle cabinet for convenience and additional drawers for storage.
Running parallel to the work counter we added a long butcher-block island with easy-to-access open shelves for the avid cook and seating for friendly guests placed just right to take in the view. A counter-top garage is used to hide excess small appliances. Glass door cabinets and open shelves are now available to display the owners beautiful dishware. The microwave was placed inconspicuously on the end of the island facing the refrigerator – easy access for guests (and extraneous family members) to help themselves to drinks and snacks while staying out of the cook’s way.
We also moved the pantry storage away from the dining room (putting it on the far wall and closer to the work triangle) and added a furniture-like hutch in its place allowing the more formal dining area to flow seamlessly into the up-beat work area of the kitchen. This space is now also home (opposite wall) to an under counter wine refrigerator, a liquor cabinet and pretty glass door wall cabinet for stemware storage – meeting Mr. Homeowner’s desire for a bar service area.
And then the aesthetic: an old-world style country cottage theme. The homeowners wanted the kitchen to have a warm feel while still loving the look of white cabinetry. San Luis Kitchen melded country-casual knotty pine base cabinets with vintage hand-brushed creamy white wall cabinets to create the desired cottage look. We also added bead board and mullioned glass doors for charm, used an inset doorstyle on the cabinets for authenticity, and mixed stone and wood counters to create an eclectic nuance in the space. All in all, the happy homeowners now boast a charming county cottage kitchen with plenty of space for entertaining their guests while creating gourmet meals to feed them.

The owners of a charming home in the hills west of Paso Robles recently decided to remodel their not-so-charming kitchen. Referred to San Luis Kitchen by several of their friends, the homeowners visited our showroom and soon decided we were the best people to design a kitchen fitting the style of their home. We were delighted to get to work on the project right away.
When we arrived at the house, we found a small, cramped and out-dated kitchen. The ceiling was low, the cabinets old fashioned and painted a stark dead white, and the best view in the house was neglected in a seldom-used breakfast nook (sequestered behind the kitchen peninsula). This kitchen was also handicapped by white tile counters with dark grout, odd-sized and cluttered cabinets, and small ‘desk’ tacked on to the side of the oven cabinet. Due to a marked lack of counter space & inadequate storage the homeowner had resorted to keeping her small appliances on a little cart parked in the corner and the garbage was just sitting by the wall in full view of everything! On the plus side, the kitchen opened into a nice dining room and had beautiful saltillo tile floors.
Mrs. Homeowner loves to entertain and often hosts dinner parties for her friends. She enjoys visiting with her guests in the kitchen while putting the finishing touches on the evening’s meal. Sadly, her small kitchen really limited her interactions with her guests – she often felt left out of the mix at her own parties! This savvy homeowner dreamed big – a new kitchen that would accommodate multiple workstations, have space for guests to gather but not be in the way, and maybe a prettier transition from the kitchen to the dining (wine service area or hutch?) – while managing the remodel budget by reusing some of her major appliances and keeping (patching as needed) her existing floors.
Responding to the homeowner’s stated wish list and the opportunities presented by the home's setting and existing architecture, the designers at San Luis Kitchen decided to expand the kitchen into the breakfast nook using Wood-Mode cabinetry. This change allowed the work area to be reoriented to take advantage of the great view – we replaced the existing window and added another while moving the door to gain space. A second sink and set of refrigerator drawers (housing fresh fruits & veggies) were included for the convenience of this mainly vegetarian cook – her prep station. The clean-up area now boasts a farmhouse style single bowl sink – adding to the ‘cottage’ charm. We located a new gas cook-top between the two workstations for easy access from each. Also tucked in here is a pullout trash/recycle cabinet for convenience and additional drawers for storage.
Running parallel to the work counter we added a long butcher-block island with easy-to-access open shelves for the avid cook and seating for friendly guests placed just right to take in the view. A counter-top garage is used to hide excess small appliances. Glass door cabinets and open shelves are now available to display the owners beautiful dishware. The microwave was placed inconspicuously on the end of the island facing the refrigerator – easy access for guests (and extraneous family members) to help themselves to drinks and snacks while staying out of the cook’s way.
We also moved the pantry storage away from the dining room (putting it on the far wall and closer to the work triangle) and added a furniture-like hutch in its place allowing the more formal dining area to flow seamlessly into the up-beat work area of the kitchen. This space is now also home (opposite wall) to an under counter wine refrigerator, a liquor cabinet and pretty glass door wall cabinet for stemware storage – meeting Mr. Homeowner’s desire for a bar service area.
And then the aesthetic: an old-world style country cottage theme. The homeowners wanted the kitchen to have a warm feel while still loving the look of white cabinetry. San Luis Kitchen melded country-casual knotty pine base cabinets with vintage hand-brushed creamy white wall cabinets to create the desired cottage look. We also added bead board and mullioned glass doors for charm, used an inset doorstyle on the cabinets for authenticity, and mixed stone and wood counters to create an eclectic nuance in the space. All in all, the happy homeowners now boast a charming county cottage kitchen with plenty of space for entertaining their guests while creating gourmet meals to feed them.

Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Wannemacher Interiors
Customized Award-Winning Interior Design Solutions in Franklin Cnty OH

Situated at the end of a cul-de-sac near the beautiful Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve, this 1907 Parnassus Heights home belongs to an active couple with a young daughter. They had dreams of transforming their home into a comforting refuge, equally equipped to whip up cocktails for guests, welcome them home after a good surf, or host their aging parents.
We touched just about every space in this home, including the kitchen, hallway, dining room, bedrooms, and bathrooms. In addition, we updated the basement hall that leads to the outside, transforming it into a more presentable entry for guests, and created an enclosed storage space. Given the age of the home and its location on a hillside, precise structural work was involved to renew the home’s integrity.
In the kitchen, which was originally dark and cramped, we made dramatic changes. We expanded the kitchen’s footprint, designing it to capture the expansive city views and create the indoor-outdoor living space they had always wanted. A large island with custom concrete countertops, a custom banquette, and beautiful red oak cabinets are just a few of the standout features in this soothing space.
The rest of this home’s spaces received equally thoughtful planning: floor-to-ceiling bedroom wardrobes with integrated lighting, custom built-in elements, carefully layered lighting for ambiance and drama, a steam shower in the primary bathroom, and the addition of skylights to bring in natural light. This home is now an inviting, purposeful space perfectly tailored to infusing joy and ease into their everyday lives.

This basement was designed for the next chapter of life, created as an open and welcoming space for family gatherings, entertaining, and everyday comfort. The remodel features matching sliding glass doors upstairs and down to bring in natural light and connect indoor and outdoor spaces. A functional bar, dining area, and generous seating make it ideal for hosting, while open areas provide plenty of room for the grandkids to play. The result is a bright, low-maintenance retreat made for relaxing, celebrating, and making memories with family.

This basement was designed for the next chapter of life, created as an open and welcoming space for family gatherings, entertaining, and everyday comfort. The remodel features matching sliding glass doors upstairs and down to bring in natural light and connect indoor and outdoor spaces. A functional bar, dining area, and generous seating make it ideal for hosting, while open areas provide plenty of room for the grandkids to play. The result is a bright, low-maintenance retreat made for relaxing, celebrating, and making memories with family.

This basement was designed for the next chapter of life, created as an open and welcoming space for family gatherings, entertaining, and everyday comfort. The remodel features matching sliding glass doors upstairs and down to bring in natural light and connect indoor and outdoor spaces. A functional bar, dining area, and generous seating make it ideal for hosting, while open areas provide plenty of room for the grandkids to play. The result is a bright, low-maintenance retreat made for relaxing, celebrating, and making memories with family.

This basement was designed for the next chapter of life, created as an open and welcoming space for family gatherings, entertaining, and everyday comfort. The remodel features matching sliding glass doors upstairs and down to bring in natural light and connect indoor and outdoor spaces. A functional bar, dining area, and generous seating make it ideal for hosting, while open areas provide plenty of room for the grandkids to play. The result is a bright, low-maintenance retreat made for relaxing, celebrating, and making memories with family.

This basement was designed for the next chapter of life, created as an open and welcoming space for family gatherings, entertaining, and everyday comfort. The remodel features matching sliding glass doors upstairs and down to bring in natural light and connect indoor and outdoor spaces. A functional bar, dining area, and generous seating make it ideal for hosting, while open areas provide plenty of room for the grandkids to play. The result is a bright, low-maintenance retreat made for relaxing, celebrating, and making memories with family.

Sponsored
Sunbury, OH
J.Holderby - Renovations
Franklin County's Leading General Contractors - 2X Best of Houzz!

This basement was designed for the next chapter of life, created as an open and welcoming space for family gatherings, entertaining, and everyday comfort. The remodel features matching sliding glass doors upstairs and down to bring in natural light and connect indoor and outdoor spaces. A functional bar, dining area, and generous seating make it ideal for hosting, while open areas provide plenty of room for the grandkids to play. The result is a bright, low-maintenance retreat made for relaxing, celebrating, and making memories with family.

This basement was designed for the next chapter of life, created as an open and welcoming space for family gatherings, entertaining, and everyday comfort. The remodel features matching sliding glass doors upstairs and down to bring in natural light and connect indoor and outdoor spaces. A functional bar, dining area, and generous seating make it ideal for hosting, while open areas provide plenty of room for the grandkids to play. The result is a bright, low-maintenance retreat made for relaxing, celebrating, and making memories with family.

This basement was designed for the next chapter of life, created as an open and welcoming space for family gatherings, entertaining, and everyday comfort. The remodel features matching sliding glass doors upstairs and down to bring in natural light and connect indoor and outdoor spaces. A functional bar, dining area, and generous seating make it ideal for hosting, while open areas provide plenty of room for the grandkids to play. The result is a bright, low-maintenance retreat made for relaxing, celebrating, and making memories with family.

This basement was designed for the next chapter of life, created as an open and welcoming space for family gatherings, entertaining, and everyday comfort. The remodel features matching sliding glass doors upstairs and down to bring in natural light and connect indoor and outdoor spaces. A functional bar, dining area, and generous seating make it ideal for hosting, while open areas provide plenty of room for the grandkids to play. The result is a bright, low-maintenance retreat made for relaxing, celebrating, and making memories with family.

Sponsored
Sunbury, OH
J.Holderby - Renovations
Franklin County's Leading General Contractors - 2X Best of Houzz!

Are you looking for the perfect late spring and early summer wispy, white, fragrant flowering tree? If so, the fringe tree is what you are looking for! Not only do these trees create a beautiful addition to any yard, they can also make it look like it snowed when their petals fall. These trees don’t grow as tall as some other flowering trees, making them perfect for planting close to your patio, in small yards, under power lines, or as a shrub border. Our team at Five Star Tree Services has come up with some tips on how to care for these delightful trees and the different varieties they come in.
Fringe Tree Appearance
The average height of a fringe tree is about 10-20 feet tall. This makes it easy for it to fit into any garden nicely. The most prominent thing about this beautiful tree is its white fragrant flowers which bloom in May and early June. These flowers are grouped together in thin, fleecy hanging bands that are 6-8 inches long. These flowers appear all over the tree just before all the leaves start to sprout. After the flowers have fallen, you can enjoy the oval-shaped, dark green leaves for the summer and then the delightful yellow leaves during the fall.
The female trees can produce a blackish-blue fruit after the flowers fall, this is a great way to attract your local birds.
The bark on the tree is scaly and has red furrows with dark brown ridges. It does best in full sun with well drained but moist soil. It can also tolerate drought and is good with air pollution. With its strong branches but delicate flowers, in order to maximize your enjoyment of the flowers, make sure to plant this tree somewhere that is sheltered from the wind.
The Facts
Fringe trees are actually related to the olive family and are native to easters North America. They naturally grow on streambanks and hillsides in moist woods. Due to the tassel-like flowers, another name for this tree is Old Man’s Beard.
As a remedy for gallbladder inflammation, previously, the bark from the fringe tree has been used in herbal medicine. It has also historically been used as a way to treat wounds.
Varieties of Popular Fringe Trees
There are 2 popular fringe trees:
Chionanthus Retusus- this is a Chinese fringe tree. It is tall with lush branches and beautiful leaves. Other varieties under this are:
-Pizazz
-Carolina Moonlight
-Rubrum
-Emerald Snow
-Burgundy
-Snowdance
Chionanthus Virginicus- this is the native easters North American fringe tree we have been focusing on.
Care Instructions
Luckily, these trees are easy to care for. To have a happy tree and many blooms, follow these tree care tips.
Growth Zones- 3-9
Plant- in moist soil that has good drainage.
Height- 12-20 feet when mature. The growth rate is about 6-10 inches a year.
Sun Exposure- full sun
Flowers- May to early June. The blossoms usually last about 2 weeks.
Prune- Do not prune during dormant times. Once the tree is older, it won’t require much pruning. Simply cut out damaged, weak, or dead branches.
Deer Resistance- deer rarely damage these trees.
Threats
With this easy to care for tree, you don’t have to worry about much. However, there are a few pests to look out for.
In order to fight off pests like spider mites and scales, proper planting, watering, and fertilizing will keep it healthy and pest free.
If a tree gets stressed, borers will take this opportunity to tunnel inside the tree and eat the bark. To keep these trees safe, avoid injuring them. These trees can also act as a secondary host for the emerald ash borer. Avoid planting a fringe tree in known areas where these invasive insects like to live.
How Five Star Tree Services Can Help
If you have been looking for the perfect flowering tree to plant in your yard, the fringe tree might be the best one for you! If you have any questions about what trees are best for your property, make sure to give us a call at (416) 990-3355! Here at Five Star Tree Services, we can offer different options and also offer you our Richmond Hill Tree Planting Services!

The floors of traditional Parisian apartments often have intricate geometric patterns that reflect the building's history and style.

Light laminate flooring is a popular choice for London apartments due to its durability, easy maintenance and attractive look. It is also great for sound insulation, as it absorbs sound better than other types of flooring. Laminate flooring is a cost-effective solution that offers a stylish touch to any space. It is resistant to scratches, stains and fading, so it will last many years with the right care. Laminate flooring is easy to clean, requiring only a damp mop and a vacuum cleaner. It is also easy to install, so it can be done by an average homeowner. Light laminate flooring is a popular choice for London apartments, as it adds a touch of elegance to any space.
11