Example of a classic gray floor mudroom design in Minneapolis with beige walls and a brown front door

A PLACE TO GATHER Location: Eagan, MN, USA This family of five wanted an inviting space to gather with family and friends. Mom, the primary cook, wanted a large island with more organized storage – everything in its place – and a crisp white kitchen with the character of an older home. Challenges: Design an island that could accommodate this family of five for casual weeknight dinners. Create more usable storage within the existing kitchen footprint. Design a better transition between the upper cabinets on the 8-foot sink wall and the adjoining 9-foot cooktop wall. Make room for more counter space around the cooktop. It was poorly lit, cluttered with small appliances and confined by the tall oven cabinet. Solutions: A large island, that seats 5 comfortably, replaced the small island and kitchen table. This allowed for more storage including cookbook shelves, a heavy-duty roll out shelf for the mixer, a 2-bin recycling center and a bread drawer. Tall pantries with decorative grilles were placed between the kitchen and family room. These created ample storage and helped define each room, making each one feel larger, yet more intimate. A space intentionally separates the upper cabinets on the sink wall from those on the cooktop wall. This created symmetry on the sink wall and made room for an appliance garage, which keeps the countertops uncluttered. Moving the double ovens to the former pantry location made way for more usable counter space around the cooktop and a dramatic focal point with the hood, cabinets and marble backsplash. Special Features: Custom designed corbels and island legs lend character. Gilt open lanterns, antiqued nickel grilles on the pantries, and the soft linen shade at the kitchen sink add personality and charm. The unique bronze hardware with a living finish creates the patina of an older home. A walnut island countertop adds the warmth and feel of a kitchen table. This homeowner truly understood the idea of living with the patina of marble. Her grandmother’s marble-topped antique table inspired the Carrara countertops. The result is a highly organized kitchen with a light, open feel that invites you to stay a while. Liz Schupanitz Designs Photographed by: Andrea Rugg

Brooklyn backyard patio design in Prospect Heights for a young, professional couple who loves to both entertain and relax! This space includes a West Elm outdoor sectional and round concrete outdoor coffee table.

Coming from Minnesota this couple already had an appreciation for a woodland retreat. Wanting to lay some roots in Sun Valley, Idaho, guided the incorporation of historic hewn, stone and stucco into this cozy home among a stand of aspens with its eye on the skiing and hiking of the surrounding mountains. Miller Architects, PC

jturnbowphotography.com
Inspiration for a transitional living room remodel in Dallas

Farmhouse style with an industrial, contemporary feel.
Inspiration for a large farmhouse u-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in San Francisco with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone countertops, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Inspiration for a timeless beige tile alcove shower remodel in DC Metro with raised-panel cabinets and medium tone wood cabinets

Our client wanted a more open environment, so we expanded the kitchen and added a pantry along with this family room addition. We used calm, cool colors in this sophisticated space with rustic embellishments. Drapery , fabric by Kravet, upholstered furnishings by Lee Industries, cocktail table by Century, mirror by Restoration Hardware, chandeliers by Currey & Co.. Photo by Allen Russ

Photography by Liz Glasgow
Mid-sized elegant l-shaped painted wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in New York with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, solid surface countertops, stone tile backsplash and white countertops

www.erikabiermanphotography.com
Dining room - small traditional dark wood floor dining room idea in Los Angeles with beige walls and no fireplace

William Ripley
Design ideas for a traditional shade backyard landscaping in Cincinnati.

We were asked to create something really special for one of our most admired clients. This home has been a labor of love for both of us as we finally made it exactly what she wanted it to be. After many concept ideas we landed on a design that is stunning! All of the elements on her wish list are incorporated in this challenging, multi-level landscape: A front yard to match the modern traditional-style home while creating privacy from the street; a side yard that proudly connects the front and back; and a lower level with plantings in lush greens, whites, purples and pinks and plentiful lawn space for kids and dogs. Her outdoor living space includes an outdoor kitchen with bar, outdoor living room with fireplace, dining patio, a bedroom-adjacent lounging patio with modern fountain, enclosed vegetable garden, rose garden walk with European-style fountain and meditation bench, and a fire pit with sitting area on the upper level to take in the panoramic views of the sunset over the wooded ridge. Outdoor lighting brings it alive at night, and for parties you can’t beat the killer sound system!

Inspiration for a large modern master gray tile and cement tile gray floor and concrete floor double shower remodel with medium tone wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, gray walls, a vessel sink, a hinged shower door, black countertops and concrete countertops

This house was designed as a second home for a Bay Area couple as a summer retreat to spend the warm summer months away from the fog in San Francisco. Built on a steep slope and a narrow lot, this 4000 square foot home is spread over 3 floors, with the master, guest and kids bedroom on the ground floor, and living spaces on the upper floor to take advantage of the views. The main living level includes a large kitchen, dining, and living space, connected to two home offices by way of a bridge that extends across the double height entry. This bridge area acts as a gallery of light, allowing filtered light through the skylights above and down to the entry on the ground level. All living space takes advantage of grand views of Lake Washington and the city skyline beyond. Two large sliding glass doors open up completely, allowing the living and dining space to extend to the deck outside. On the first floor, in addition to the guest room, a “kids room” welcomes visiting nieces and nephews with bunk beds and their own bathroom. The basement level contains storage, mechanical and a 2 car garage. Photographer: Aaron Leitz

The wet bar includes a built-in wine cooler and a highlight in this stunning kitchen renovation is the ceiling hung glass and metal shelving unit that is truly a piece of art.

Dining space in Figure 8 Island Home. Designed by Amy Tyndall Design, Photos courtesy of Wrightsville Beach Magazine
Example of a beach style dark wood floor kitchen/dining room combo design in Wilmington with gray walls

Looking at this home today, you would never know that the project began as a poorly maintained duplex. Luckily, the homeowners saw past the worn façade and engaged our team to uncover and update the Victorian gem that lay underneath. Taking special care to preserve the historical integrity of the 100-year-old floor plan, we returned the home back to its original glory as a grand, single family home. The project included many renovations, both small and large, including the addition of a a wraparound porch to bring the façade closer to the street, a gable with custom scrollwork to accent the new front door, and a more substantial balustrade. Windows were added to bring in more light and some interior walls were removed to open up the public spaces to accommodate the family’s lifestyle. You can read more about the transformation of this home in Old House Journal: http://www.cummingsarchitects.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Old-House-Journal-Dec.-2009.pdf Photo Credit: Eric Roth

Juliana Franco
Dedicated laundry room - mid-sized mid-century modern single-wall porcelain tile and gray floor dedicated laundry room idea in Houston with flat-panel cabinets, solid surface countertops, white walls, a stacked washer/dryer and green cabinets

Inspiration for a timeless built-in desk medium tone wood floor home office remodel with white walls