Gorgeous primary bathroom features warm tones, organic materials and a splash of glam.
Huge transitional master white tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile, beige floor and double-sink bathroom photo in San Diego with shaker cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, a hinged shower door, white countertops, a niche, a built-in vanity and dark wood cabinets

We remodeled this 5,400-square foot, 3-story home on ’s Second Street to give it a more current feel, with cleaner lines and textures. The result is more and less Old World Europe, which is exactly what we were going for. We worked with much of the client’s existing furniture, which has a southern flavor, compliments of its former South Carolina home. This was an additional challenge, because we had to integrate a variety of influences in an intentional and cohesive way. We painted nearly every surface white in the 5-bed, 6-bath home, and added light-colored window treatments, which brightened and opened the space. Additionally, we replaced all the light fixtures for a more integrated aesthetic. Well-selected accessories help pull the space together, infusing a consistent sense of peace and comfort.

Example of a classic gender-neutral carpeted playroom design in San Francisco with beige walls

Custom bar with walnut cabinetry and a waterfall edged, hand fabricated, counter top of end grain wood with brass infused strips.
Seated home bar - large contemporary galley medium tone wood floor and brown floor seated home bar idea in New York with open cabinets, dark wood cabinets, wood countertops and wood backsplash

Intentional. Elevated. Artisanal. With three children under the age of 5, our clients were starting to feel the confines of their Pacific Heights home when the expansive 1902 Italianate across the street went on the market. After learning the home had been recently remodeled, they jumped at the chance to purchase a move-in ready property. We worked with them to infuse the already refined, elegant living areas with subtle edginess and handcrafted details, and also helped them reimagine unused space to delight their little ones. Elevated furnishings on the main floor complement the home’s existing high ceilings, modern brass bannisters and extensive walnut cabinetry. In the living room, sumptuous emerald upholstery on a velvet side chair balances the deep wood tones of the existing baby grand. Minimally and intentionally accessorized, the room feels formal but still retains a sharp edge—on the walls moody portraiture gets irreverent with a bold paint stroke, and on the the etagere, jagged crystals and metallic sculpture feel rugged and unapologetic. Throughout the main floor handcrafted, textured notes are everywhere—a nubby jute rug underlies inviting sofas in the family room and a half-moon mirror in the living room mixes geometric lines with flax-colored fringe. On the home’s lower level, we repurposed an unused wine cellar into a well-stocked craft room, with a custom chalkboard, art-display area and thoughtful storage. In the adjoining space, we installed a custom climbing wall and filled the balance of the room with low sofas, plush area rugs, poufs and storage baskets, creating the perfect space for active play or a quiet reading session. The bold colors and playful attitudes apparent in these spaces are echoed upstairs in each of the children’s imaginative bedrooms. Architect + Developer: McMahon Architects + Studio, Photographer: Suzanna Scott Photography

Michael Moran/OTTO photography We took a predictable suburban spec house and transformed it into a unique home of enduring value and family-centered design. The existing footprint was expanded where it needed it most: in the family and kitchen area, creating a large square room with open views to a protected nature preserve abutting the property. An unexpected glass canopy and teak entry door are clues that what lies beyond is hardly commonplace. The design challenge was to infuse modern-day functionality and architectural quality into a spec house. Working in partnership with Gary Cruz Studio, we designed the pared down, art-filled interiors with the goal of creating comfortable, purposeful living environments. We also sought to integrate the existing pool and rear deck into the overall building design, extending the usable space outside as a screened-in porch, a dining terrace, and a seating area around a stone fire pit.

Danish open concept medium tone wood floor living room photo in New York with white walls, no fireplace and no tv

M. Wright Design Photographer: Marc Angeles
Example of a classic powder room design in Los Angeles with a console sink and black walls

Bathroom - large transitional master white tile and marble tile marble floor, white floor, single-sink and vaulted ceiling bathroom idea in Chicago with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, blue walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops, a niche and a built-in vanity

Inspiration for a large 1950s guest carpeted and gray floor bedroom remodel in Los Angeles with green walls

This primary bathroom got a much needed upgrade! We infused color, texture, and warmth throughout this design. This full renovation included new green shower wall tile and terrazzo wall + floor tile, fresh paint, a custom-built vanity, new vanity countertop, all new brass plumbing fixtures, vanity mirrors and sconce lighting, custom shower glass wall + door, floating shelf, artwork, vintage Turkish rug, and bath accessories.

3900 sf (including garage) contemporary mountain home.
Example of a mid-sized trendy l-shaped concrete floor eat-in kitchen design in Denver with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an island, dark wood cabinets, blue backsplash and stone slab backsplash

This Magnificent Spanish Colonial Estate Is An Exclusive 6,755 sq.ft. Custom Home in Thousand Oaks, CA. Mountain And Valley Vistas Unfold Along Entry Drive, Which Is Lined With A Charming Vineyard. This Sprawling 7.47 Acre Estate Boasts A Main House, A Guest Casita, Elegant Pool And Large Motor Courtyard With A Four-Bay Garage. This Custom Home's Architecture And Amenities Blend Exquisite Centuries-Old Detail And Craftsmanship With The Best of Today's Easy Living Style. The Spacious Interior Home Has Five Bedrooms With Suite Baths, Library Or Office, Game Room, Garden/Craft Room, Breakfast Room, Spacious Gourmet Kitchen And Large Family Room. The Master Suite With Private Retreat Or Gym Is Conveniently Located On The Entry Level. The Home Is Infused With Authentic Old World Charm Throughout. A Generous Use of Outdoor Covered Areas Create Delightful Living Spaces and Contribute To The Estate's Total 10,839 Square Feet of Covered Living Area.

Photo: Camille Simmons © 2014 Houzz
Small eclectic white tile mosaic tile floor and blue floor bathroom photo in San Francisco with raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white walls and white countertops

CAGentle cascading curves make this 7500 sq. ft. home almost stealthy. At one with its environment, it is infused with a generous amount of natural light and the cooling coastal breezes of Corona del Mar, Ca. Natural materials and stone in a ledge rock pattern are combined with glass and steel to make this home uniquely spectacular. City and Coastal Commission approvals were secured. Corona del Mar, California

Elegant home design photo in New York

Contemporary Neutral Living Room With City Views. Low horizontal furnishings not only create clean lines in this contemporary living room, they guarantee unobstructed city views out the French doors. The room's neutral palette gets a color infusion thanks to the large plant in the corner and some teal pillows on the couch.

This beautiful North Vancouver home belongs to a nature-loving and health-conscious couple, Emma and Vince (names changed), their two young children, and their dog, Jasper. When they contacted us about renovating and furnishing their kitchen and family room, we walked in and saw a world of potential waiting to be uncovered. Before: Larkhall Crescent Home: Like many original North Vancouver homes, the interior was definitely dated. We encountered late ‘80s finishes in powder pink and teal green, old carpet, and a kitchen that wasn’t maximized to suit this family’s modern-day lifestyle. However, the size of the rooms offered us a ton of space with which to get creative. Knowing our clients’ love of cooking, need for work spaces (Emma and Vince both work remotely), and growing family, we developed a design concept that would increase usable space, optimize storage, and create intimacy in this large area. As for the style, we were inspired by their European roots, inventing a new and modern take on “Belgian Farmhouse” style. Now, the home is truly one-of-a-kind. After: Warm & Cozy Family Room: Fresh, bright, and comfortable, this living area has been transformed! We started with the fireplace as a focal point, selecting aged brick tiles for added texture and a crisp wood mantle. The taupe-coloured sectional infuses the room with visual warmth and serves the added purpose of separating the family room from the kitchen. Emma and Vince were also keen on using non-toxic materials in their home, and we were happy to oblige. To meet their needs, we sourced natural wood elements and sought out Canadian-made products - that adhere to high health standards - whenever possible. Look closer at the elements of this space, and you will find this stunning, honeycomb-patterned rug in earthy gold, beige, and charcoal tones. It’s plush to the touch and full of visual texture that brings this room’s colour palette together. We sourced these two-tone chairs with caning, petrified wood side table, black sconces, and botanical prints in greyscale from local artist, Heather Johnston. We topped off the space with this dark wood and rattan console that offers storage facing the kitchen and presents an opportunity to display cherished items. The result is a cozy lounging space brimming with comfort and functionality. It’s perfect for enjoying quality family time, or Emma can simply slide the coffee table away to make room for her morning yoga practice. Now, let’s turn around and give some attention to the kitchen. Do you remember what the original kitchen looked like? If not, scroll back up, because the transformation is shocking… Moody & Welcoming Kitchen for Healthy Living: This kitchen looks very different from how it started, right? Though we didn’t touch any walls, the kitchen has almost doubled in usable space! We created a long, extended island with storage, an outlet for small appliances, and seating for comfortable prep, after-school snacking, or mingling among friends. On the other side of the island, the family has even more storage and an integrated dishwasher within easy reach of the sink, perfect for quick clean-up. From this angle, you can also see the expansive custom Shaker cabinetry in white and the integrated double ovens. These facilitate their cooking experience and gave us the opportunity to add an additional surprise… A coffee garage station and more hidden storage! Keeping these items located along the perimeter allows them to be accessed by the family or their guests without someone getting under the cook’s feet. These are the little details that make everyday life easier and more enjoyable. Moving deeper into the kitchen, the seamless induction cooktop topped with a freestanding concealed hood fan commands attention in a soft yet prominent way. The natural wood accent mirrors the fireplace mantle, and the choice of off-black wood-grain cabinets not only continues our black-and-white colour palette but adds a sense of depth and contrast. The corner sink is located to the right and perfectly positioned with a view of their thriving backyard. To invite more of this family’s character into the space, we mixed metals for interest — matte black, dark pewter, and warm brass — and created open shelves in white oak for their plants and decor. You can also glimpse the tumbled edge of the backsplash tile, which echoes the rustic brick of the fireplace. It adds that farmhouse charm while still feeling timeless and sophisticated. Last but not least, we designed this dining banquette in the bay window (with integrated bench storage, of course), where the family can share a meal together, the kids can do homework, or Emma and Vince can work and enjoy a change of scenery from their offices. Like the other spaces in the home, it was designed to be beautiful, multi-functional, and long-lasting. Praise from Our Clients: It is clear that we love this home, but what did our clients have to say? “Lori is a visionary and masters execution to the finest detail all at the same time. When she first met us to know more about who we are and how we live, she could right away envision how we could use the space in our kitchen and living room…The results exceeded our expectations. Lori and her team were also a delight to work with — coordination with all the trades, fast problem-solving, regular updates, professional and friendly attitude of her entire team — made it the dream team. Thank you SHD for making our space so beautiful!” In turn, we are so grateful for this family’s trust, their open communication, and for being wonderful people with whom to work. (So, thank you!)

When a young professional couple approached us to decorate the main floor of their brand new modern townhouse in Port Coquitlam, we were very excited. Having moved from a Gastown condo, the couple was eager to infuse this suburban location with a funky yet sophisticated downtown vibe. They were also looking for a neutral backdrop with some hits of colour and asked us to incorporate wallpaper. The statement artwork that we selected above the fireplace set the tone for this project. We started with a pair of sleek neutral leather sofas to maximize seating in the small living space and layered them with a variety of toss pillows in blues, teals & turquoise then added a few pops of orange. We defined the front entrance and dining area with a stunning marbleized grey and white wallpaper by Graham and Brown. The dark wood furniture in the dining area adds contrast and sophistication balancing the dark stained kitchen cabinets opposite. The resulting look is clean, modern and playful. Interior Design by Lori Steeves of Simply Home Decorating. Photos by Tracey Ayton Photography. Floor Plans/ Drawings by ZakCreative.