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Built by Schumacher Homes, America's Largest Custom Home Builder, this stunning Charleston II Modern Farmhouse in Whitestown, Indiana, effortlessly balances classic architectural details with modern charm. Based on one of our most popular plans, the Charleston II maximizes spatial volume by increasing ceiling heights throughout both levels. The main living space boasts an expansive, open-concept floor plan featuring 10-foot ceilings throughout, which soar to a dramatic 12 feet across the central great room, kitchen, and bright morning room. Designed for seamless entertaining and effortless organization, the chef-ready kitchen is equipped with abundant counter space, a large central island to gather around, and a giant walk-in pantry. This dual-purpose pantry features a highly functional "messy kitchen" secondary prep zone, brilliantly engineered to keep cooking clutter, meal prep, and mess completely out of sight from the main living area. The thoughtful layout continues with a perfectly placed pocket office, offering a quiet, dedicated space to organize daily tasks or work from home. This pocket office flows gracefully into the luxurious owner’s retreat, a private sanctuary showcasing an expansive primary bath and two large walk-in closets. To elevate the primary suite's design aesthetic, the bedroom features a show-stopping ceiling accented with custom stained wood beams—meticulously finished to match the flooring—with integrated hidden lighting to cast a warm, indirect glow. A smart split-bedroom floor plan ensures ultimate privacy for the entire family, keeping the additional secondary bedrooms situated on the opposite side of the residence so everyone can enjoy their own independent space.

In this entryway, style and functionality are perfectly balanced. A custom furniture piece offers discreet storage, complemented by a stunning feature wall that doubles as an artistic focal point and a hidden place to hang your jacket. An antique mirror and indirect soffit lighting complete the space, adding warmth and timeless charm.

With a thoughtful use of lighting and carefully curated furniture, this 1,000 sq ft Mid-Levels apartment with unsightly columns and beams is transformed into a cosy Scandinavian home with a Japanese touch. When you think of designing a home, one does not usually put Japanese and Nordic together. But Clifton was inspired by the compatibility of the two cultures, which both emphasise minimalism, to bring out this eye-catching fusion project. Earth tones reminiscent of Scandinavian design are used throughout the apartment, allowing it to look more spacious and comfortable. Upon entering the apartment, one is quickly greeted by the Japanese style living room, which oozes Zen with a faux fur carpet and flatter furniture pieces including a Fritz Hansen sofa in pink, side table from Habitat, dining table from HAY and pendent lamps from Louis Poulsen. The apartment is blessed with a high ceiling, but nonetheless, its columns and beams originally made it appear smaller. But with a clever use of lighting, such as indirect lighting on top of the beams and strategic placement of lamps on the columns, the flaws are concealed and the unit appears taller, bigger and more comfortable. Similarly, the kitchen is transformed into an open one with an island, so the owners, both social butterflies, can invite their friends over for gatherings. Besides catering to the two adult owners, Clifton did not forget about their fur friend Buddy, a Bichon Frise. To ensure that Buddy does not feel left out at night, while ensuring the couple can have some privacy in their bedroom, a small square hole was made in the door for him to freely move in and out.

A two-level penthouse designed with a refined, masculine approach, where warmth and sophistication define the space. The open-plan layout connects the main living areas while a custom wood partition subtly separates the kitchen, maintaining visual continuity without compromising functionality. Rich wood tones, bespoke millwork, and layered lighting create depth and a moody yet inviting atmosphere. Anchored by a sculptural staircase, the space balances contemporary design with quiet luxury, resulting in an environment that feels elevated, intimate, and timeless.

This image of the lounge area shows the benefit of indirect lighting. The home and cabana’s use of dimmable ceiling pot lights creates a wash of light which spills across the whole area without the harsh shadows created with direct lighting. Soft light sets the mood for friendly conversation.

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The basement is designed as a warm, immersive retreat that blends eclectic design with spa-like tranquility and hidden entertainment spaces. The overall palette centers around warm natural woods, matte black accents, and layered moody lighting, creating a cozy yet sophisticated atmosphere throughout the space. The main living area features a comfortable lounge zone anchored by a fireplace, with plush seating, textured rugs, and low, ambient lighting to create a relaxed, intimate vibe. Built-in shelving in dark wood with black metal details adds visual interest and provides space for books, art, and curated décor. The lighting plan emphasizes dim, warm, and indirect sources—wall sconces, concealed LED strips, and table lamps—to keep the environment calm and atmospheric rather than bright and open. One side of the basement transitions into a Zen-inspired spa retreat. This area uses lighter warm woods and natural stone elements to create contrast while maintaining harmony with the rest of the basement. The spa includes: A glass-front sauna with slatted cedar walls and soft backlighting A cold plunge tub with dark stone or concrete surround Minimalist fixtures in matte black Subtle greenery and natural textures to reinforce the calming, restorative feel The spa zone should feel like a boutique wellness retreat tucked inside the home—clean, quiet, and intentionally minimal. A unique feature of the basement is a hidden “man cave” lounge accessed through a secret door disguised as a built-in shelving unit. When opened, it reveals a darker, more intimate room designed for entertaining or unwinding. This space uses rich two-tone walls in deep warm hues—such as charcoal paired with dark walnut or oxblood—along with low lighting and heavier textures. The room could include a bar area, media setup, leather seating, and subtle accent lighting to enhance the clandestine, speakeasy-like atmosphere. Overall, the basement should feel layered, cozy, slightly mysterious, and luxurious, balancing relaxation, wellness, and entertainment in a way that feels cohesive but full of discovery.

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Built by Schumacher Homes, America's Largest Custom Home Builder, this stunning Charleston II Modern Farmhouse in Whitestown, Indiana, effortlessly balances classic architectural details with modern charm. Based on one of our most popular plans, the Charleston II maximizes spatial volume by increasing ceiling heights throughout both levels. The main living space boasts an expansive, open-concept floor plan featuring 10-foot ceilings throughout, which soar to a dramatic 12 feet across the central great room, kitchen, and bright morning room. Designed for seamless entertaining and effortless organization, the chef-ready kitchen is equipped with abundant counter space, a large central island to gather around, and a giant walk-in pantry. This dual-purpose pantry features a highly functional "messy kitchen" secondary prep zone, brilliantly engineered to keep cooking clutter, meal prep, and mess completely out of sight from the main living area. The thoughtful layout continues with a perfectly placed pocket office, offering a quiet, dedicated space to organize daily tasks or work from home. This pocket office flows gracefully into the luxurious owner’s retreat, a private sanctuary showcasing an expansive primary bath and two large walk-in closets. To elevate the primary suite's design aesthetic, the bedroom features a show-stopping ceiling accented with custom stained wood beams—meticulously finished to match the flooring—with integrated hidden lighting to cast a warm, indirect glow. A smart split-bedroom floor plan ensures ultimate privacy for the entire family, keeping the additional secondary bedrooms situated on the opposite side of the residence so everyone can enjoy their own independent space.

Built by Schumacher Homes, America's Largest Custom Home Builder, this stunning Charleston II Modern Farmhouse in Whitestown, Indiana, effortlessly balances classic architectural details with modern charm. Based on one of our most popular plans, the Charleston II maximizes spatial volume by increasing ceiling heights throughout both levels. The main living space boasts an expansive, open-concept floor plan featuring 10-foot ceilings throughout, which soar to a dramatic 12 feet across the central great room, kitchen, and bright morning room. Designed for seamless entertaining and effortless organization, the chef-ready kitchen is equipped with abundant counter space, a large central island to gather around, and a giant walk-in pantry. This dual-purpose pantry features a highly functional "messy kitchen" secondary prep zone, brilliantly engineered to keep cooking clutter, meal prep, and mess completely out of sight from the main living area. The thoughtful layout continues with a perfectly placed pocket office, offering a quiet, dedicated space to organize daily tasks or work from home. This pocket office flows gracefully into the luxurious owner’s retreat, a private sanctuary showcasing an expansive primary bath and two large walk-in closets. To elevate the primary suite's design aesthetic, the bedroom features a show-stopping ceiling accented with custom stained wood beams—meticulously finished to match the flooring—with integrated hidden lighting to cast a warm, indirect glow. A smart split-bedroom floor plan ensures ultimate privacy for the entire family, keeping the additional secondary bedrooms situated on the opposite side of the residence so everyone can enjoy their own independent space.

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The primary bedroom is kept raw and exposed, with a king bed framed perfectly over an arched window. Linear LED lights run along the beams for indirect ambient lighting. The result is a calm, light-filled retreat true to the loft's bones.

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Located in the idyllic town of Darien, Connecticut, this rustic barn-style home is outfitted with a luxury Kalamazoo outdoor kitchen. Compact in size, the outdoor kitchen is ideal for entertaining family and friends. The Kalamazoo Hybrid Fire Built-in Grill features three seriously powerful gas burners totaling 82,500 BTUs and a generous 726 square inches of primary grilling surface. The Hybrid Grill is not only the “best gas grill” there is – it also cooks with wood and charcoal. This means any grilling technique is at the homeowner’s disposal – from searing and indirect grilling, to rotisserie roasting over a live wood fire. This all stainless-steel grill is hand-crafted in the U.S.A. to the highest quality standards so that it can withstand even the harshest east coast winters. A Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet Built-in Cooktop Cabinet flanks the grill and expands the kitchens cooking capabilities, offering two gas burners. Stainless steel outdoor cabinetry was incorporated into the outdoor kitchen design for ample storage. All Kalamazoo cabinetry is weather-tight, meaning dishes, cooks tools and non-perishable food items can be stored outdoors all year long without moisture or debris seeping in. The outdoor kitchen provides a place from the homeowner’s to grill, entertain and enjoy their picturesque surrounds.

Our Scottsdale interior design studio created this luxurious Santa Fe new build for a retired couple with sophisticated tastes. We centered the furnishings and fabrics around their contemporary Southwestern art collection, choosing complementary colors. The house includes a large patio with a fireplace, a beautiful great room with a home bar, a lively family room, and a bright home office with plenty of cabinets. All of the spaces reflect elegance, comfort, and thoughtful planning. --- Project designed by Susie Hersker’s Scottsdale interior design firm Design Directives. Design Directives is active in Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Carefree, Sedona, and beyond. For more about Design Directives, click here: https://susanherskerasid.com/