Large scale patterned carpets have made a big comeback. This piece from Milliken adds personality to the room.
Inspiration for a contemporary living room remodel in Chicago

Hunter Coon - True Homes Photography
Example of a classic open concept dark wood floor living room library design in Dallas with white walls, no fireplace and no tv

Perfect lighting is essential when displaying your home’s artwork. Lighting by Lutron Electronics.
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary single-wall light wood floor and beige floor open concept kitchen remodel in Miami with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, metallic backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Lakefront property in the northwest suburbs of Chicago is hard to come by, so when we were hired by this young family with exactly that, we were immediately inspired by not just the unusually large footprint of this 1950’s colonial revival but also the lovely views of the manmade lake it was sited on. The large 5-bedroom home was solidly stuck in the 1980’s, but we saw tons of potential. We started out by updating the existing staircase with a fresh coat of paint and adding new herringbone slate to the entry hall. The powder room off the entryway also got a refresh - new flooring, new cabinets and fixtures. We ran the new slate right through into this space for some consistency. A fun wallpaper and shiplap trim add a welcoming feel and set the tone for the home. Next, we tackled the kitchen. Located away from the rest of the first floor, the kitchen felt a little isolated, so we immediately began planning for how to better connect it to the rest of the first floor. We landed on removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room and designed a modified galley style space with separate cooking and clean up zones. The cooking zone consists of the refrigerator, prep sink and cooktop, along with a nice long run of prep space at the island. The cleanup side of the kitchen consists of the main sink and dishwasher. Both areas are situated so that the user can view the lake during prep work and cleanup! One of the home’s main puzzles was how to incorporate the mudroom and area in front of the patio doors at the back of the house. We already had a breakfast table area, so the space by the patio doors was a bit of a no man’s land. We decided to separate the kitchen proper from what became the new mudroom with a large set of barn doors. That way you can quickly hide any mudroom messes but have easy access to the light coming in through the patio doors as well as the outdoor grilling station. We also love the impact the barn doors add to the overall space. The homeowners’ first words to us were “it’s time to ditch the brown,” so we did! We chose a lovely blue pallet that reflects the home’s location on the lake which is also vibrant yet easy on the eye. Countertops are white quartz, and the natural oak floor works well with the other honey accents. The breakfast table was given a refresh with new chairs, chandelier and window treatments that frame the gorgeous views of the lake out the back. We coordinated the slate mudroom flooring with that used in the home’s main entrance for a consistent feel. The storage area consists of open and closed storage to allow for some clutter control as needed. Next on our “to do” list was revamping the dated brown bar area in the neighboring dining room. We eliminated the clutter by adding some closed cabinets and did some easy updates to help the space feel more current. One snag we ran into here was the discovery of a beam above the existing open shelving that had to be modified with a smaller structural beam to allow for our new design to work. This was an unexpected surprise, but in the end we think it was well worth it! We kept the colors here a bit more muted to blend with the homeowner’s existing furnishings. Open shelving and polished nickel hardware add some simple detail to the new entertainment zone which also looks out onto the lake! Next we tackled the upstairs starting with the homeowner’s son’s bath. The bath originally had both a tub shower and a separate shower, so we decided to swap out the shower for a new laundry area. This freed up some space downstairs in what used to be the mudroom/laundry room and is much more convenient for daily laundry needs. We continued the blue palette here with navy cabinetry and the navy tile in the shower. Porcelain floor tile and chrome fixtures keep maintenance to a minimum while matte black mirrors and lighting add some depth the design. A low maintenance runner adds some warmth underfoot and ties the whole space together. We added a pocket door to the bathroom to minimize interference with the door swings. The left door of the laundry closet is on a 180 degree hinge to allow for easy full access to the machines. Next we tackled the master bath which is an en suite arrangement. The original was typical of the 1980’s with the vanity outside of the bathroom, situated near the master closet. And the brown theme continued here with multiple shades of brown. Our first move was to segment off the bath and the closet from the master bedroom. We created a short hall from the bedroom to the bathroom with his and hers walk-in closets on the left and right as well as a separate toilet closet outside of the main bathroom for privacy and flexibility. The original bathroom had a giant soaking tub with steps (dangerous!) as well as a small shower that did not work well for our homeowner who is 6’3”. With other bathtubs in the home, they decided to eliminate the tub and create an oversized shower which takes up the space where the old tub was located. The double vanity is on the opposite wall and a bench is located under the window for morning conversations and a place to set a couple of towels. The pallet in here is light and airy with a mix of blond wood, creamy porcelain and marble tile, and brass accents. A simple roman shade adds some texture and it’s top-down mechanism allows for light and privacy. This large whole house remodel gave our homeowners not only the ability to maximize the potential of their home but also created a lovely new frame from which to view their fabulous lake views. 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

Rosecliff in the colorway Pebble featured in a patio setting. Digital render for inspiration.
Patio - contemporary patio idea

The client asked for work that would feel cool and contemporary, but also bring color into the space, feel happy, fresh and energetic, and not take itself too seriously. The consulting process included sending digital files, inviting the client to the gallery to see works in person, and bringing works to the client’s home to view in situ

Kristin Zwiers Photography

Example of a transitional medium tone wood floor family room library design in Austin with blue walls

This new home will be completed and move-in ready in late May, 2014. Ideal for commuters & downtown workers, these homes are centrally located with easy, almost immediate access to many freeways. The charming community is close to hike and bike trails, shops and many neighborhood restaurants the Houston Heights has to offer. The homes are enhanced with many energy features and fine finishes. Photos taken by Gina Hadfield

Donna Griffith
Trendy home design photo in Toronto

Aquatica True Ofuro Black Freestanding Stone Japanese Soaking Bathtub Since it was first introduced, Aquatica’s Ofuro series has proved very popular, due in large part to its inspiration – the ancient traditions of Japanese bathing. Modern-day bathers love the ability to sit and soak in this superb, contemporary interpretation of olden-style Japanese wooden tub, which provides bathers with a perfectly designed, sculpted bath with internal seat and elevated rim for neck and head support, in which they can immerse themselves up to their neck. Now, the True Ofuro offers bath lovers one more exciting option – the choice of Graphite Black using our award-winning and ground-breaking AquateX™ solid surface composite, around which to create your stunning new bathroom décor. Ofuro is also available with an optional inline water heater and digital control panel with temperature display, which will reduce water consumption and provide for a prolonged soaking experience at very comfortable temperatures. Thanks to the AquateX™ material, this Japanese soaking tub retains heat for much longer and has a silky and smooth surface. Besides being one of our most space conscious bathtubs, the freestanding and petite construction of this Japanese style bathtub means that it can be installed pretty much anywhere in your bathroom.

SEQUEL set a new standard for efficient and organized workspaces and the bar has been raised with the SEQUEL LIFT DESK. A versatile, height-adjustable desk, LIFT’s powered leg system is controlled by a programmable digital keypad. Whether sitting, standing or somewhere in-between, your work surface is always at the perfect height.

Example of a minimalist bedroom design in Singapore

A new custom mantle and fireplace surround integrates with the traditional millwork details of the 1930's Colonial. Project by Portland interior design studio Jenni Leasia Interior Design. Also serving Lake Oswego, West Linn, Vancouver, Sherwood, Camas, Oregon City, Beaverton, and the whole of Greater Portland. For more about Jenni Leasia Interior Design, click here: https://www.jennileasiadesign.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.jennileasiadesign.com/crystal-springs

In the back kitchen, built in's create additional storage space for the family, separate from the main kitchen. In addition, a double Dutch door was individually handcrafted with authentic stile and rail construction.

Entering in through the living room, the Mohrman's creative nature is immediately evident. A neutral grey sectional acts as a springboard for the bright patterns of Chelsea's handmade pillows and lampshades. "We enjoy easy decorating with budget friendly items or fun DIYs", explains Chelsea, whom offers instruction on many of her crafting projects on her blog, Farm Fresh Therapy. The couple search antique malls and flea markets for the majority of their decor, often times adapting them to a new purpose. The illuminated "M" for example, was an internet find. While the channel letter was a vintage purchase from Etsy, the Mohrman's added necessary components to give it a glowing marquee effect. Sofa, IKEA; Tables, MidWest Woods Furniture Co. Photo: Adrienne DeRosa Photography © 2014 Houzz

A young couple that vacations annually in the Mediterranean retained MHG Greens&Gardens to transform their Dorado Beach East home into a Mediterranean villa. With red roof tiles, soft flat stucco walls, plenty of clean lines, a portico, and ample grounds, MHG Greens&Gardens immediately saw the potential to personalize the couple’s contemporary Caribbean home according to their longtime dream.

The project consisted of the design, detailing and construction of a new residence for a private client in the historic district of Ridgefield, Connecticut, on a street of early 20th century 'Summer Homes'. The residence was conceived of as a Shingle Style Revival structure with a prominent entry porch in keeping with both our and the client’s desire for a home that would feel immediately at one with it’s neighbors both in scale and character. AIA Connecticut Alice Washburn Awards Finalist. Barry A. Hyman Photography

Absolutely stunning in detail, this home features a rustic interior with vaulted great room using reclaimed timber beams that provide immediate depth and character. The centerpiece of the retreat is an inviting fireplace with a custom designed locking screen that compliments the warm stone used throughout the interior and exterior. The showstopper is the dual Lowen bi-folding doors that bring the outside-in, while the phantom screens provide a barrier from the elements when needed. Our private estate has an expansive entertaining spaces with a one-of-a- kind built-in grill that connects to the main home while below, on the lower level, a beautiful pool and gazebo. Landmark Photography *while working at stiener koppleman