Inspiration for a farmhouse family room remodel in Chicago

Example of a mid-sized transitional galley dark wood floor eat-in kitchen design in Minneapolis with a double-bowl sink, beaded inset cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, brown backsplash, stainless steel appliances, gray walls, an island and mosaic tile backsplash

Newlyweds had just moved into their new home and immediately wanted to update their kitchen which is located in the center of the household, lacking any natural light source of its own. To make matters worse, the cabinets in place were dark red with black countertops. Not the picture of brightness they were looking for. To increase the amount of light reflected throughout the kitchen, we incorporated some of the following updates: 1. Replaced the solo ceiling light with 4 recessed cans 2. Updated the florescent undercabinet lights with new LED strips 3. Installed custom white cabinets topped with Silestone’s new Artic Ocean white countertops 4. Updated the dark glass pendants over the bar with larger, clear glass pendants that spoke more to the history of the home 5. Painted the walls a soft gray to compliment the palette The original kitchen layout was updated to eliminate the existing soffits and open the visual feel of the space. A large white farm sink now centers the natural wood bar area, inviting guests to sit and gather for ballgames and celebrations. Glass tile and USB ports at charging sites complete the space for the family to grow over the years. Photo by Stockwell Media

Challenge: To turn a small and very cluttered bathroom into a functional space with his and hers vanities. The flow of the existing space was awkward and the clients were in desperate need for more functional storage room. The re-designed bathroom was not just to be functional, but have a harmonious spa feel that incorporated high tech shower components. All this had to be designed and built on a budget. We love challenges and were able to deliver all of the client’s desires. Upon completion our client commented that she can’t believe this is her bathroom to enjoy every day Photos by Jayce Giddens

My House Design/Build Team | www.myhousedesignbuild.com | 604-694-6873 | Duy Nguyen Photography -------------------------------------------------------Right from the beginning it was evident that this Coquitlam Renovation was unique. It’s first impression was memorable as immediately after entering the front door, just past the dining table, there was a tree growing in the middle of home! Upon further inspection of the space it became apparent that this home had undergone several alterations during its lifetime... The homeowners unabashedness towards colour and willingness to embrace the home’s mid-century architecture made this home one of a kind. The existing T&G cedar ceiling, dropped beams, and ample glazing naturally leant itself to a mid-century space.

New kitchen in Craftsman house. Solid cherry panels were used to build in a cook book case and hide a hard to move plumbing stack. The charging recess on the left could be a good home for a 1950's steelcase dial phone but now it serves various the more current digital versions with 2 outlets (out of view). Photos by Fred Sons

The homeowners of a 1930s Tudor in East Atlanta Village envisioned a colorful renovation that blended original charm with modern updates. The creative couple, who cherish antiques and quirky collectibles, aimed to preserve the home's historic layout and architectural elements. The overall color palette and aesthetic was inspired by their grandmother's fine China collection. The renovation encompassed the kitchen, mudroom, breakfast nook, living room, bar, powder room, and primary bathroom. Copper Sky Design + Remodel placed emphasis on integrating color, patterns, and specialty details to honor the home's history while reflecting the homeowners' unique style. Key design choices included retaining the functional galley kitchen, featuring a dishrack over the sink to display the clients' depression-era glass and antique China. Floral cutouts on cabinet doors and refrigerator panels, reminiscent of the 1930s, were incorporated. A scalloped built-in cabinet in the butler’s pantry, designed to fit a niche previously housing an original piece, ties into the brass scalloped hood in the kitchen. The mudroom and butler’s pantry cabinets also feature a scallop motif. Custom mosaic floor tiles, typical of the 1930s, required meticulous planning and execution. The 2” hexagon mosaic tile pattern in the kitchen, mudroom, and butler’s pantry was digitally designed and hand-laid on site. The primary bathroom's wall tile pattern demanded precision, resulting in a symmetrical and stunning design. The primary bathroom was expanded to include a Japanese-style soaking tub and a bidet within its modest 10’ x 9’ size. The powder room, though small, is vibrant with “Dinosauria” wallpaper, Tiffany-style lighting, and a square mosaic tile floor. This thoughtful renovation preserved the Tudor's historical integrity while infusing it with the homeowners' vibrant aesthetic, creating a harmonious blend of past and present.

This narrow lot villa was designed for the empty nester second home market. It caters to those possibly downsizing or just wanting a maintenance free second home. It’s width from the street is immediately brought to suspicion by an expansive Great Room. The spacious kitchen with island and serving bar open onto the view beyond. The Master Suite is entered through a double doored private Foyer. Rounding out this homes many features is the “L” shaped outdoor Patio with outdoor kitchen. sThis home truly defies what many believe are the limiting factors of narrow lot home plans. An ARDA for Model Home Design goes to The Stater Group, Inc. Designer: The Sater Group, Inc. From: Bonita Springs, Florida

Eye-Land: Named for the expansive white oak savanna views, this beautiful 5,200-square foot family home offers seamless indoor/outdoor living with five bedrooms and three baths, and space for two more bedrooms and a bathroom. The site posed unique design challenges. The home was ultimately nestled into the hillside, instead of placed on top of the hill, so that it didn’t dominate the dramatic landscape. The openness of the savanna exposes all sides of the house to the public, which required creative use of form and materials. The home’s one-and-a-half story form pays tribute to the site’s farming history. The simplicity of the gable roof puts a modern edge on a traditional form, and the exterior color palette is limited to black tones to strike a stunning contrast to the golden savanna. The main public spaces have oversized south-facing windows and easy access to an outdoor terrace with views overlooking a protected wetland. The connection to the land is further strengthened by strategically placed windows that allow for views from the kitchen to the driveway and auto court to see visitors approach and children play. There is a formal living room adjacent to the front entry for entertaining and a separate family room that opens to the kitchen for immediate family to gather before and after mealtime.

Photo: Sarah Seung-McFarland © 2016 Houzz
Staircase - eclectic staircase idea in New York

This narrow lot villa was designed for the empty nester second home market. It caters to those possibly downsizing or just wanting a maintenance free second home. It’s width from the street is immediately brought to suspicion by an expansive Great Room. The spacious kitchen with island and serving bar open onto the view beyond. The Master Suite is entered through a double doored private Foyer. Rounding out this homes many features is the “L” shaped outdoor Patio with outdoor kitchen. sThis home truly defies what many believe are the limiting factors of narrow lot home plans. An ARDA for Model Home Design goes to The Stater Group, Inc. Designer: The Sater Group, Inc. From: Bonita Springs, Florida

The homeowners of a 1930s Tudor in East Atlanta Village envisioned a colorful renovation that blended original charm with modern updates. The creative couple, who cherish antiques and quirky collectibles, aimed to preserve the home's historic layout and architectural elements. The overall color palette and aesthetic was inspired by their grandmother's fine China collection. The renovation encompassed the kitchen, mudroom, breakfast nook, living room, bar, powder room, and primary bathroom. Copper Sky Design + Remodel placed emphasis on integrating color, patterns, and specialty details to honor the home's history while reflecting the homeowners' unique style. Key design choices included retaining the functional galley kitchen, featuring a dishrack over the sink to display the clients' depression-era glass and antique China. Floral cutouts on cabinet doors and refrigerator panels, reminiscent of the 1930s, were incorporated. A scalloped built-in cabinet in the butler’s pantry, designed to fit a niche previously housing an original piece, ties into the brass scalloped hood in the kitchen. The mudroom and butler’s pantry cabinets also feature a scallop motif. Custom mosaic floor tiles, typical of the 1930s, required meticulous planning and execution. The 2” hexagon mosaic tile pattern in the kitchen, mudroom, and butler’s pantry was digitally designed and hand-laid on site. The primary bathroom's wall tile pattern demanded precision, resulting in a symmetrical and stunning design. The primary bathroom was expanded to include a Japanese-style soaking tub and a bidet within its modest 10’ x 9’ size. The powder room, though small, is vibrant with “Dinosauria” wallpaper, Tiffany-style lighting, and a square mosaic tile floor. This thoughtful renovation preserved the Tudor's historical integrity while infusing it with the homeowners' vibrant aesthetic, creating a harmonious blend of past and present.

PHILIPPE STARCK’S DESIGN SEARCHES FOR THE ORIGIN OF THINGS. | The simple, natural, fundamental elements of life. With his Starck 1 range, he achieved just that… and almost immediately wrote bathroom history. With Starck 1, Philippe Starck and Duravit have returned to the beginnings of hygiene, body care and wellness in addition to the evolution of the bathroom. The Starck 1 toilet, bathtub and washbasin are unmistakable descendents of their historic predecessors – the bucket, tub and washbowl – even though they have been completely reinterpreted. It’s great to know that something good doesn’t have to be “optimized”: since their market launch in 1994, all products in the range – ceramic, furniture, tubs, accessories – have been meticulously crafted by hand using the same methods. This quality is nothing less than you would expect from a modern classic like Starck 1. | Design by Philippe Starck | Available at www.ShopStudio41.com

This narrow lot villa was designed for the empty nester second home market. It caters to those possibly downsizing or just wanting a maintenance free second home. It’s width from the street is immediately brought to suspicion by an expansive Great Room. The spacious kitchen with island and serving bar open onto the view beyond. The Master Suite is entered through a double doored private Foyer. Rounding out this homes many features is the “L” shaped outdoor Patio with outdoor kitchen. sThis home truly defies what many believe are the limiting factors of narrow lot home plans. An ARDA for Model Home Design goes to The Stater Group, Inc. Designer: The Sater Group, Inc. From: Bonita Springs, Florida

Bedroom and mid-sized trendy gender-neutral carpeted and blue floor kids' bedroom photo in New York with white walls

Living room - mid-sized 1960s gray floor, wood ceiling and wood wall living room idea in Denver with a wood stove and a tile fireplace

  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

When we embarked on designing this Santa-Barbara style townhome located on Craig Ranch’s prestigious 17th green, we immediately started visualizing the modern improvements we would make to reflect the clients’ true style. Lighting throughout the home was first on the list, then came floor coverings, wall coverings, and furnishings! Introducing brighter colors, modern frames, and bold patterns were key to balance out the heavier dark wood elements of both the home’s original architecture and some of the client’s existing pieces. Whimsical touches, elegant appointments, and sophisticated style are prevalent throughout this new modernized abode. creating a fresh feel in each room.

Digitally printed on cork, Volute is a modern-day fresco. Volute’s picturesque print, reminiscent of ornate brushstrokes, offers a traditional old world feel with the appeal of an environmentally sustainable ground. Complimented by three neutral colorways, This cork wallcovering blends a painterly quality with a subtle shimmer for a look that reads understated glamour.