This basement remodel features a striking bar area that seamlessly combines rustic texture with modern edge. Dark cabinetry offers a bold contrast to the light quartz countertops and weathered gray brick backsplash, delivering a masculine yet refined aesthetic. Glass-front upper cabinets showcase stemware and bar essentials, while floating wood shelves add warmth and a casual touch. A mix of matte black and stainless steel hardware enhances the cabinetry’s contemporary style, while built-in beverage coolers and under-counter storage ensure the space is as functional as it is beautiful. The elongated bar with counter-height seating is illuminated by industrial-style mesh pendant lights, setting the perfect tone for entertaining. Tucked just off the main entertainment zone, this bar offers an ideal gathering spot for mixing cocktails, enjoying game day, or simply unwinding in style.

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   This client moved to the area to be near their adult daughter and grandchildren so this new construction is destined to be a place full of happy memories and family entertaining. The goal throughout the home was to incorporate their existing collection of artwork and sculpture with a more contemporary aesthetic. The kitchen, located on the first floor of the 3-story townhouse, shares the floor with a dining space, a living area and a powder room. The kitchen is U-shaped with the sink overlooking the dining room, the cooktop along the exterior wall, with a large clerestory window above, and the bank of tall paneled appliances and storage along the back wall. The European cabinetry is made up of three separate finishes – a light gray glossy lacquer for the base cabinets, a white glossy lacquer for the tall cabinets and a white glass finish for the wall cabinets above the cooktop. The colors are subtly different but provide a bit of texture that works nicely with the finishings chosen for the space. The stainless grooves and toe kick provide additional detail. The long peninsula provides casual seating and is topped with a custom walnut butcher block waterfall countertop that is 6” thick and has built in wine storage on the front side. This detail provides a warm spot to rest your arms and the wine storage provides a repetitive element that is heard again in the pendants and the barstool backs. The countertops are quartz, and appliances include a full size refrigerator and freezer, oven, steam oven, gas cooktop and paneled dishwasher. Cabinetry Design by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Interior Design by: Julie Dunfee Designs Photography by: Mike Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

The kitchen at Southlake Manor underwent a full transformation, drawing inspiration from the charm of the South of France while incorporating the Denningtons' personal tastes. A major design feature is the stunning barrelled ceiling, which adds a sense of grandeur and architectural interest. This beautiful ceiling design enhances the space by creating visual height, drawing the eye upward and contributing to the kitchen’s airy and open feel. The Denningtons’ love for the color blue is woven throughout the kitchen, with custom accents in a rich, deep shade that adds warmth and personality to the space. The cabinetry features a mix of finishes that complement the color palette, creating a balanced, sophisticated look. At the heart of the kitchen sits a custom, round island—a standout piece designed to be both functional and visually striking. The island, with its unique shape and built-in drawers, provides ample storage while maintaining a sleek, clean aesthetic. It’s an ideal gathering spot for the family and offers a beautiful contrast to the surrounding cabinetry. The layers of texture throughout the kitchen—from the smooth cabinetry finishes to the intricate details of the island and the natural warmth of the new barrelled ceiling—add depth and dimension. Every element is carefully crafted to elevate the design to the next level, blending style with practicality in a way that reflects the Denningtons' love for sophisticated, yet welcoming spaces.

This family getaway was built with entertaining and guests in mind, so the expansive Bootroom was designed with great flow to be a catch-all space essential for organization of equipment and guests. Integrated ski racks on the porch railings outside provide space for guests to park their gear. Covered entry has a metal floor grate, boot brushes, and boot kicks to clean snow off. Inside, ski racks line the wall beside a work bench, providing the perfect space to store skis, boards, and equipment, as well as the ideal spot to wax up before hitting the slopes. Around the corner are individual wood lockers, labeled for family members and usual guests. A custom-made hand-scraped wormwood bench takes the central display – protected with clear epoxy to preserve the look of holes while providing a waterproof and smooth surface. Wooden boot and glove dryers are positioned at either end of the room, these custom units feature sturdy wooden dowels to hold any equipment, and powerful fans mean that everything will be dry after lunch break. The Bootroom is finished with naturally aged wood wainscoting, rescued from a lumber storage field, and the large rail topper provides a perfect ledge for small items while pulling on freshly dried boots. Large wooden baseboards offer protection for the wall against stray equipment.

These homeowners relocated to Indianapolis and wanted a traditional home in the Meridian Hills area that offered family living space off the kitchen. “It’s what we were used to, but we had trouble finding exactly what we were looking for.” They spent a lot of time thinking about the possibilities of a remodel. They had space both within and outside the house that were under-utilized and decided to embark on a significant renovation project. We endeavored to completely rework the current floor plan in hopes of addressing all their needs and wants. Plans included relocating the kitchen, moving the exterior walls by a couple of feet, raising the ceiling, and moving the office. The results of these changes were dramatic. Additionally the family now enjoys a larger and updated entrance with storage and closets that is perfect for their two active daughters and two often muddy labs, a beautiful kitchen with improved functionality that is filled with tons of natural light, as well as a cozy hearth room, ideal for relaxing together as a family. The once neglected screened porch is now a unique and inviting office with workspace for everyone. Once these improvements were made the view to the back of the house was now apparent, the couple decided to enhance their outdoor living space as well. We added a new patio, a custom pergola, water feature and a fire pit. “Now it’s a private spot to relax and connect with the outdoors. It really highlights the style of the house and we love it,” says the homeowner.

These homeowners came to us seeking a kitchen remodel that would deliver an updated look and increase the kitchen’s overall functionality. They had a clear vision of what they wanted, and we loved working with them to make the transformation a reality. A change that instantly made the kitchen feel more contemporary was bringing the cabinets up to the ceiling. We chose a tranquil gray for the island cabinetry to add depth to the overall white aesthetic and classic shaker cabinets. A white backsplash tile and some glass front cabinets make the space feel even lighter and brighter. The countertop is a sophisticated white quartz with gray veining. One complaint the owner had about their original kitchen was the lack of storage space for pots and pans. To address this, we incorporated large, heavy-duty drawers on either side of the cooktop. This is the optimal placement for usage and easily brings all the cookware into view, rather than being lost in a deep cabinet. One handy feature they now enjoy is a custom charging drawer at the end of the island which provides easy access to frequently used electronics without cluttering the countertop. Below the drawer is open shelving that adds charming visual interest and provides the ideal spot to store cookbooks. Even without drastic layout changes, the transformation is stunning! The contrast between the light cabinets and the hardwood floor is eye-catching without being overly dramatic and the simple hardware and fixtures give it a fresh look. This kitchen is one that is sure to be loved for years to come.

These homeowners relocated to Indianapolis and wanted a traditional home in the Meridian Hills area that offered family living space off the kitchen. “It’s what we were used to, but we had trouble finding exactly what we were looking for.” They spent a lot of time thinking about the possibilities of a remodel. They had space both within and outside the house that were under-utilized and decided to embark on a significant renovation project. We endeavored to completely rework the current floor plan in hopes of addressing all their needs and wants. Plans included relocating the kitchen, moving the exterior walls by a couple of feet, raising the ceiling, and moving the office. The results of these changes were dramatic. Additionally the family now enjoys a larger and updated entrance with storage and closets that is perfect for their two active daughters and two often muddy labs, a beautiful kitchen with improved functionality that is filled with tons of natural light, as well as a cozy hearth room, ideal for relaxing together as a family. The once neglected screened porch is now a unique and inviting office with workspace for everyone. Once these improvements were made the view to the back of the house was now apparent, the couple decided to enhance their outdoor living space as well. We added a new patio, a custom pergola, water feature and a fire pit. “Now it’s a private spot to relax and connect with the outdoors. It really highlights the style of the house and we love it,” says the homeowner.

This family getaway was built with entertaining and guests in mind, so the expansive Bootroom was designed with great flow to be a catch-all space essential for organization of equipment and guests. Integrated ski racks on the porch railings outside provide space for guests to park their gear. Covered entry has a metal floor grate, boot brushes, and boot kicks to clean snow off. Inside, ski racks line the wall beside a work bench, providing the perfect space to store skis, boards, and equipment, as well as the ideal spot to wax up before hitting the slopes. Around the corner are individual wood lockers, labeled for family members and usual guests. A custom-made hand-scraped wormwood bench takes the central display – protected with clear epoxy to preserve the look of holes while providing a waterproof and smooth surface. Wooden boot and glove dryers are positioned at either end of the room, these custom units feature sturdy wooden dowels to hold any equipment, and powerful fans mean that everything will be dry after lunch break. The Bootroom is finished with naturally aged wood wainscoting, rescued from a lumber storage field, and the large rail topper provides a perfect ledge for small items while pulling on freshly dried boots. Large wooden baseboards offer protection for the wall against stray equipment.

Free ebook, CREATING THE IDEAL KITCHEN Download now → http://bit.ly/idealkitchen This client moved to the area to be near their adult daughter and grandchildren so this new construction is destined to be a place full of happy memories and family entertaining. The goal throughout the home was to incorporate their existing collection of artwork and sculpture with a more contemporary aesthetic. The kitchen, located on the first floor of the 3-story townhouse, shares the floor with a dining space, a living area and a powder room. The kitchen is U-shaped with the sink overlooking the dining room, the cooktop along the exterior wall, with a large clerestory window above, and the bank of tall paneled appliances and storage along the back wall. The European cabinetry is made up of three separate finishes – a light gray glossy lacquer for the base cabinets, a white glossy lacquer for the tall cabinets and a white glass finish for the wall cabinets above the cooktop. The colors are subtly different but provide a bit of texture that works nicely with the finishings chosen for the space. The stainless grooves and toe kick provide additional detail. The long peninsula provides casual seating and is topped with a custom walnut butcher block waterfall countertop that is 6” thick and has built in wine storage on the front side. This detail provides a warm spot to rest your arms and the wine storage provides a repetitive element that is heard again in the pendants and the barstool backs. The countertops are quartz, and appliances include a full size refrigerator and freezer, oven, steam oven, gas cooktop and paneled dishwasher. Cabinetry Design by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Interior Design by: Julie Dunfee Designs Photography by: Mike Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

This spacious, multi-level backyard in San Luis Obispo, CA, once completely underutilized and overtaken by weeds, was converted into the ultimate outdoor entertainment space with a custom pool and spa as the centerpiece. A cabana with a built-in storage bench, outdoor TV and wet bar provide a protected place to chill during hot pool days, and a screened outdoor shower nearby is perfect for rinsing off after a dip. A hammock attached to the master deck and the adjacent pool deck are ideal for relaxing and soaking up some rays. The stone veneer-faced water feature wall acts as a backdrop for the pool area, and transitions into a retaining wall dividing the upper and lower levels. An outdoor sectional surrounds a gas fire bowl to create a cozy spot to entertain in the evenings, with string lights overhead for ambiance. A Belgard paver patio connects the lounge area to the outdoor kitchen with a Bull gas grill and cabinetry, polished concrete counter tops, and a wood bar top with seating. The outdoor kitchen is tucked in next to the main deck, one of the only existing elements that remain from the previous space, which now functions as an outdoor dining area overlooking the entire yard. Finishing touches included low-voltage LED landscape lighting, pea gravel mulch, and lush planting areas and outdoor decor.

This beautiful century old home had an addition aded in the 80's that sorely needed updated. Working with the homeowner to make sure it functioned well for her, but also brought in some of the century old style was key to the design.

Transitional kitchen photo in Orange County

These homeowners relocated to Indianapolis and wanted a traditional home in the Meridian Hills area that offered family living space off the kitchen. “It’s what we were used to, but we had trouble finding exactly what we were looking for.” They spent a lot of time thinking about the possibilities of a remodel. They had space both within and outside the house that were under-utilized and decided to embark on a significant renovation project. We endeavored to completely rework the current floor plan in hopes of addressing all their needs and wants. Plans included relocating the kitchen, moving the exterior walls by a couple of feet, raising the ceiling, and moving the office. The results of these changes were dramatic. Additionally the family now enjoys a larger and updated entrance with storage and closets that is perfect for their two active daughters and two often muddy labs, a beautiful kitchen with improved functionality that is filled with tons of natural light, as well as a cozy hearth room, ideal for relaxing together as a family. The once neglected screened porch is now a unique and inviting office with workspace for everyone. Once these improvements were made the view to the back of the house was now apparent, the couple decided to enhance their outdoor living space as well. We added a new patio, a custom pergola, water feature and a fire pit. “Now it’s a private spot to relax and connect with the outdoors. It really highlights the style of the house and we love it,” says the homeowner.

The kitchen at Southlake Manor underwent a full transformation, drawing inspiration from the charm of the South of France while incorporating the Denningtons' personal tastes. A major design feature is the stunning barrelled ceiling, which adds a sense of grandeur and architectural interest. This beautiful ceiling design enhances the space by creating visual height, drawing the eye upward and contributing to the kitchen’s airy and open feel. The Denningtons’ love for the color blue is woven throughout the kitchen, with custom accents in a rich, deep shade that adds warmth and personality to the space. The cabinetry features a mix of finishes that complement the color palette, creating a balanced, sophisticated look. At the heart of the kitchen sits a custom, round island—a standout piece designed to be both functional and visually striking. The island, with its unique shape and built-in drawers, provides ample storage while maintaining a sleek, clean aesthetic. It’s an ideal gathering spot for the family and offers a beautiful contrast to the surrounding cabinetry. The layers of texture throughout the kitchen—from the smooth cabinetry finishes to the intricate details of the island and the natural warmth of the new barrelled ceiling—add depth and dimension. Every element is carefully crafted to elevate the design to the next level, blending style with practicality in a way that reflects the Denningtons' love for sophisticated, yet welcoming spaces.

These homeowners came to us seeking a kitchen remodel that would deliver an updated look and increase the kitchen’s overall functionality. They had a clear vision of what they wanted, and we loved working with them to make the transformation a reality. A change that instantly made the kitchen feel more contemporary was bringing the cabinets up to the ceiling. We chose a tranquil gray for the island cabinetry to add depth to the overall white aesthetic and classic shaker cabinets. A white backsplash tile and some glass front cabinets make the space feel even lighter and brighter. The countertop is a sophisticated white quartz with gray veining. One complaint the owner had about their original kitchen was the lack of storage space for pots and pans. To address this, we incorporated large, heavy-duty drawers on either side of the cooktop. This is the optimal placement for usage and easily brings all the cookware into view, rather than being lost in a deep cabinet. One handy feature they now enjoy is a custom charging drawer at the end of the island which provides easy access to frequently used electronics without cluttering the countertop. Below the drawer is open shelving that adds charming visual interest and provides the ideal spot to store cookbooks. Even without drastic layout changes, the transformation is stunning! The contrast between the light cabinets and the hardwood floor is eye-catching without being overly dramatic and the simple hardware and fixtures give it a fresh look. This kitchen is one that is sure to be loved for years to come.

Potting mixes for container gardens need to drain freely, but still retain moisture. My base potting soil mix contains (clockwise from upper left) coarse builder's sand, high-quality organic compost or worm castings, coconut coir, and small lava rock. I supplement this with additional compost, fresh worm castings, and organic soil amendments, with the amounts varying depending on what I'm planting. Photo by Steve Masley

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Entertaining and hosting parties and events is high on the list for this socially inclined couple. Priorities for this kitchen included carefully thought out storage solutions, such as roll out storage, a “drop spot” and an area to display collectibles. Much attention was paid to each detail from the incorporation of unique leaded glass windows above the sink to the specialty hardware for the apothecary drawers. The light bright and airy space will be a welcome hang out for future events. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Inspiration for a traditional landscaping in New Orleans.

At Driveways by Design, safety and functionality are paramount to us. Peace of mind that your vehicle will enter and exit in a forward position, eliminating unwanted turns, blind spots, or backing out onto busy streets, all are priceless. When designing a driveway, it’s not just about the proper materials, the latest trends, style, colors, but it is also about the impact on the household, environment, and infrastructure. Nowadays many factors affect the daily life of south floridians, i.e. the heat island effect, some cities no longer allow circular driveways (zoning codes have become very restrictive about the amount that can be paved in order to mitigate the heat island effect,) construction happening all over our city, poor transportation systems, a turntable can truly enhance our daily experience, making it easier to exit our homes, no more agglomerations of traffic, or concrete trucks backing out, and no more worries about children or pets running unexpectedly behind the car. Designed by Shosh vant Verlaat and installed/maintained by Driveways by Design, the Car Turntable is ideal for residential and commercial applications, and will maximize the use of space, improve driver's visibility, as well as add value to your property.