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

These clients fell in love with this home immediately when they saw it on the market, and quickly made the offer. From the unique lighting, retro architectural details, and view of the cascades, this home was full of potential to be remodeled to fit the lifestyle and personality of it’s new owners. Through the design process, we identified the aspects of the home that these owners loved, such as the Living Room soffit, grasscloth wallpaper, floating staircase and outdoor-feel basement. We then pinpointed the difficulties that the floor plan and materials presented for their lifestyle, such as the closed-off/compartmentalized floor plan, shag carpet in the living room, outdated finishes, lack of wood, and a newer kitchen that was an outlier within the style of the house. The finished product is a magazine-worthy transformation that thoughtfully unifies the owner’s personal style and the home’s retro roots.

  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

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.

When full-time Massachusetts residents contemplate building a second home in Telluride, Colorado the question immediately arises; does it make most sense to hire a regionally based Rocky Mountain architect or a sea level architect conveniently located for all of the rigorous collaboration required for successful bespoke home design. Determined to prove the latter true, Siemasko + Verbridge accompanied the potential client as they scoured the undulating Telluride landscape in search of the perfect house site. The selected site’s harmonious balance of untouched meadow rising up to meet the edge of an aspen grove and the opposing 180 degree view of Wilson’s Range spoke to everyone. A plateau just beyond a fork in the meadow provided a natural flatland, requiring little excavation and yet the right amount of upland slope to capture the views. The intrinsic character of the site was only enriched by an elk trail and snake-rail fence. Establishing the expanse of Wilson’s range would be best served by rejecting the notion of selected views, the central sweeping curve of the roof inverts a small saddle in the range with which it is perfectly aligned. The soaring wave of custom windows and the open floor plan make the relatively modest house feel sizable despite its footprint of just under 2,000 square feet. Officially a two bedroom home, the bunk room and loft allow the home to comfortably sleep ten, encouraging large gatherings of family and friends. The home is completely off the grid in response to the unique and fragile qualities of the landscape. Great care was taken to respect the regions vernacular through the use of mostly native materials and a palette derived from the terrain found at 9,820 feet above sea level. Photographer: Gibeon Photography

This powder room captures a Grandmillennial aesthetic for a sophisticated mix of classic, slightly preppy tradition with a lively, youthful twist. The space makes an immediate statement with Thibaut’s large-scale “Hill Garden” floral wallpaper in a timeless green-and-cream chinoiserie-inspired palette, setting a botanical yet elegant tone. A black-and-white marble-look checkerboard floor grounds the room, adding a touch of formality and enduring style. The traditional pedestal sink, complemented by brass lighting and an aged brass mirror, channels the refined spirit of the early 20th century. Layered, romantic details appear in the pleated café curtain, also by Thibaut, and charming wicker accessories, infusing texture and warmth. Altogether, the room feels like something a stylish, thirty-something—who grew up visiting her chic grandmother’s English country house—would design today: spirited, nostalgic.

Though successful in virtually any small space, area size Caucasian tribal rugs are especially effective in bringing a welcome new artistic dimension to elegant bath areas, where their folk art energy can be experienced every day on a direct, personal level. Here, the expressive, nuanced natural color of this very early tribal rug immediately harmonizes with the materials of the space: warm cherry wood and Carrara marble resonate with the carpet’s potent terracotta and sand tones, while the small scale tile detailing recalls the planned, geometric arrangement of the rug’s motifs. Yet, the mesmerizing, faceted allover pattern brings its own vitality that provides a completely divergent and fresh perspective, as well as introducing welcome accents of forest green, sapphire blue and indigo. There is an interesting relationship between the crisply drawn, deconstructed blossoms of the rug and the naturalistically rendered flowers in the upholstery and framed Chinese print, as each reveals something essential about these universal botanical forms in entirely different ways.

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 summer cottage was winterized in the 1960’s as a year round home. The new owners decided to remodel the master suite to achieve more efficient energy saving and storage needs. After a design by another builder failed to inspire them, Excelsior Design Group was commissioned to review the project. Client Objectives The homeowners were looking to convert an old master bathroom into a walk in closet, remodel a guest bedroom into a master bathroom and remodel a hall bathroom into a laundry room. Project Details It was immediately determined that the master bath and closet layout previously designed needed to be flipped. The old master bathroom became the walk in closet for Susan. The new walk-in closet, designed to accommodate hundreds of shoes, was designed by Janis Gaut of Closet Factory and incorporates the same marble tops as the vanities and the fireplace.

This space was really enhanced with Matt Light Gray 12 x 24 Evolution ceramic tile on the floor from Virginia Tile and 10 x 22 Aviano Greige wall tile from Daltile with a metal edge. This space also is a small powder room off the kitchen and immediately accessible from the garage entry.

East Coast designer Samantha Friedman transformed a 100-year-old Washington, D.C. home with a Heat & Glo COSMO gas fireplace insert.
Inspiration for a large transitional master gray tile freestanding bathtub remodel in DC Metro with glass-front cabinets, gray cabinets, white walls and marble countertops

The S. Barrett Project, designed and built by Pratt Guys, in 2018 - Photo owned by Pratt Guys - NOTE: Can only be used online, digitally, TV and print WITH written permission from Pratt Guys. (PrattGuys.com) - Photo was taken on February 15, 2019.

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.

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2014 Houzz
Cottage chic kitchen photo 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

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.

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.

When Irvine designer, Richard Bustos’ client decided to remodel his Orange County 4,900 square foot home into a contemporary space, he immediately thought of Cantoni. His main concern though was based on the assumption that our luxurious modern furnishings came with an equally luxurious price tag. It was only after a visit to our Irvine store, where the client and Richard connected that the client realized our extensive collection of furniture and accessories was well within his reach.

“Richard was very thorough and straight forward as far as pricing,” says the client. "I became very intrigued that he was able to offer high quality products that I was looking for within my budget.” The next phases of the project involved looking over floor plans and discussing the client’s vision as far as design. The goal was to create a comfortable, yet stylish and modern layout for the client, his wife, and their three kids. In addition to creating a cozy and contemporary space, the client wanted his home to exude a tranquil atmosphere. Drawing most of his inspiration from Houzz, (the leading online platform for home remodeling and design) the client incorporated a Zen-like ambiance through the distressed greyish brown flooring, organic bamboo wall art, and with Richard’s help, earthy wall coverings, found in both the master bedroom and bathroom. Over the span of approximately two years, Richard helped his client accomplish his vision by selecting pieces of modern furniture that possessed the right colors, earthy tones, and textures so as to complement the home’s pre-existing features. The first room the duo tackled was the great room, and later continued furnishing the kitchen and master bedroom. Living up to its billing, the great room not only opened up to a breathtaking view of the Newport coast, it also was one great space. Richard decided that the best option to maximize the space would be to break the room into two separate yet distinct areas for living and dining. While exploring our online collections, the client discovered the Jasper Shag rug in a bold and vibrant green. The grassy green rug paired with the sleek Italian made Montecarlo glass dining table added just the right amount of color and texture to compliment the natural beauty of the bamboo sculpture. The client happily adds, “I’m always receiving complements on the green rug!” Once the duo had completed the dining area, they worked on furnishing the living area, and later added pieces like the classic Renoir bed to the master bedroom and Crescent Console to the kitchen, which adds both balance and sophistication. The living room, also known as the family room was the central area where Richard’s client and his family would spend quality time. As a fellow family man, Richard understood that that meant creating an inviting space with comfortable and durable pieces of furniture that still possessed a modern flare. The client loved the look and design of the Mercer sectional. With Cantoni’s ability to customize furniture, Richard was able to special order the sectional in a fabric that was both durable and aesthetically pleasing. Selecting the color scheme for the living room was also greatly influenced by the client’s pre-existing artwork as well as unique distressed floors. Richard recommended adding dark pieces of furniture as seen in the Mercer sectional along with the Viera area rug. He explains, “The darker colors and contrast of the rug’s material worked really well with the distressed wood floor.” Furthermore, the comfortable American Leather Recliner, which was customized in red leather not only maximized the space, but also tied in the client’s picturesque artwork beautifully. The client adds gratefully, “Richard was extremely helpful with color; He was great at seeing if I was taking it too far or not enough.” It is apparent that Richard and his client made a great team. With the client’s passion for great design and Richard’s design expertise, together they transformed the home into a modern sanctuary. Working with this particular client was a very rewarding experience for Richard. He adds, “My client and his family were so easy and fun to work with. Their enthusiasm, focus, and involvement are what helped me bring their ideas to life. I think we created a unique environment that their entire family can enjoy for many years to come.” https://www.cantoni.com/project/a-contemporary-sanctuary

Beach style home office photo in Charlotte