Laundry room with side by side washer dryer.
Inspiration for a small timeless single-wall medium tone wood floor and brown floor laundry closet remodel in Jacksonville with quartz countertops, beige walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and multicolored countertops

Example of a trendy kitchen design in San Francisco

Rear yard was developed as a set of terraces positioned to expand the interior spaces. Ipe deck in foreground has no foundation elements to interfere with the redwood root system. Artificial turf meets local water restrictions while providing expansive play space. Pool terrace is 29" above planter requiring no railing that would break up the flow of the space. Side and back retaining walls stabilize slope and augment existing elements from previous development.

  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

Photography by Sarah M. Young, www.smyphoto.com
Inspiration for a mid-sized craftsman freestanding desk medium tone wood floor and brown floor home studio remodel in Boston with blue walls

Amber Roberts
Transitional bathroom photo in Singapore

Signature Pools Inc.
Pool - transitional pool idea in Orlando

Example of a mid-sized transitional medium tone wood floor great room design in San Francisco with white walls

Installed TPO fully adhered roofing system over barrel style roof and over two other roof sections. This project includes complete redesigning of: - How the barrel roof edges are protected. Complete elimination of failing to seal and unpleasantly looking pieced eyebrow flashing; - How valley exits are redesigned. Simplified those exits, with elimination of steps prone to fail; - How eyebrow fascias are designed with a smooth round curves eliminating traditional choppy setting; - How all those together provide extreme protection while providing pleasant appearance. Besides the above this project has also included: - Replacement of cedar siding and window located between two roof levels; - Replacement of skylight and gutters; - Installation of InvisiGuard IG gutter guards.

Inspiration for a large contemporary galley light wood floor open concept kitchen remodel in Sydney with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an island, a drop-in sink and quartz countertops

These clients retained MMI to assist with a full renovation of the 1st floor following the Harvey Flood. With 4 feet of water in their home, we worked tirelessly to put the home back in working order. While Harvey served our city lemons, we took the opportunity to make lemonade. The kitchen was expanded to accommodate seating at the island and a butler's pantry. A lovely free-standing tub replaced the former Jacuzzi drop-in and the shower was enlarged to take advantage of the expansive master bathroom. Finally, the fireplace was extended to the two-story ceiling to accommodate the TV over the mantel. While we were able to salvage much of the existing slate flooring, the overall color scheme was updated to reflect current trends and a desire for a fresh look and feel. As with our other Harvey projects, our proudest moments were seeing the family move back in to their beautifully renovated home.

Lisa Petrole
Example of a transitional master medium tone wood floor bedroom design in Sacramento with white walls

Overhead detail on this intricate Western Red Cedar installation combining traditional craftsmanship with high-performance materials suited to its wooded Connecticut River setting. CCA-treated tapersawn cedar from Waska Mills was selected for enhanced resistance to fungal growth—an important advantage in a shaded, moisture-prone environment near the brackish river. Beneath the cedar, Grace Select underlayment provides an added moisture barrier, topped with Cedar Breather matting to promote airflow and help the roof dry properly. Complex rooflines and transitions showcase the cedar’s natural character, while a Firestone .090 EPDM membrane provides durable protection across the expansive low-slope section, creating a carefully integrated hybrid roofing system.

Full finished project. We added a shelf for additional storage space. I feel that the new design and color compliments the new washer and dryer set quite well!

This intricate Western Red Cedar installation combines traditional craftsmanship with high-performance materials suited to its wooded Connecticut River setting. CCA-treated tapersawn cedar from Waska Mills was selected for enhanced resistance to fungal growth—an important advantage in a shaded, moisture-prone environment near the brackish river. Beneath the cedar, Grace Select underlayment provides an added moisture barrier, topped with Cedar Breather matting to promote airflow and help the roof dry properly. Complex rooflines and transitions showcase the cedar’s natural character, while a Firestone .090 EPDM membrane provides durable protection across the expansive low-slope section, creating a carefully integrated hybrid roofing system.

In the great room, the focal wall features a gas fireplace with a precast surround set in white stacked stone. Carpentry clad boxes fashioned in wood tones match the finishes in the room. Woven grasscloth on the wall behind them gives depth to the open-backed, round-edged boxes. Lighting only the vertical boxes and floating the entire unit adds more dimension. A sectional from E.J. Victor in a neutral fabric, and a pair of leather and fabric sloped-arm Vanguard club chairs all have a low profile so as not to interfere with the view of the backyard and beyond. Hickory White end tables are finished in platinum gray. The Vanguard tufted ottoman with metal base and wood inlay is centered atop a wool and silk patterned area rug by Kravet.

Featuring a vintage Danish rug from Tony Kitz Gallery in San Francisco. We replaced the old, traditional, wooden door with this new glass door and panels, opening up the space and bringing in natural light, while also framing the beautiful landscaping by our colleague, Suzanne Arca (www.suzannearcadesign.com). New modern-era inspired lighting adds panache, flanked by the new Dutton Brown blown-glass and brass chandelier lighting and artfully-round Bradley mirror. Photo Credit: Eric Rorer

The challenge was to create a modern, minimalist structure that did not interfere with the natural setting but rather seemed nestled in and part of the landscape while blurring the lines between interior and exterior spaces. Special Features and Details: • wood floor, ceiling and exterior deck all run in the same direction drawing the eye toward the water view below • valence encompassing the living space aligns with the face of the loft floor and conceals window shades and uplighting. • pocket doors are flush with the ceiling adding to the feeling of one room flowing into the other when the doors are open • ample storage tucks into the walls unobtrusively • baseboards are set in, flush with the walls separated by a channel detail. • deck appears to float, creating a sense of weightlessness. This detail repeats at the bedside tables and bathroom vanity • obscured glass window in shower provides light and privacy

The challenge was to create a modern, minimalist structure that did not interfere with the natural setting but rather seemed nestled in and part of the landscape while blurring the lines between interior and exterior spaces. Special Features and Details: • wood floor, ceiling and exterior deck all run in the same direction drawing the eye toward the water view below • valence encompassing the living space aligns with the face of the loft floor and conceals window shades and uplighting. • pocket doors are flush with the ceiling adding to the feeling of one room flowing into the other when the doors are open • ample storage tucks into the walls unobtrusively • baseboards are set in, flush with the walls separated by a channel detail. • deck appears to float, creating a sense of weightlessness. This detail repeats at the bedside tables and bathroom vanity • obscured glass window in shower provides light and privacy