Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless l-shaped dark wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in New York with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

We first changed the walls, trim and brick color in this room to a fresh ivory color. An original Oushak rug gave us our color palette of grays, ivory, soft blues and touches of burnt orange. Lisa Konz Photography

Available in full grain Italian leather, the Barcelona Chair Replica by Barcelona Designs needs little or no introduction. Built on a single piece of the highest quality unabridged stainless steel, the Barcelona Chair Replica ensures durability. The seat of Barcelona Chair Replica by Barcelona Designs is laid out in an angle creating a V - shape. Originally, designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich, this classic, often seen in movies, adorns hotels or big business establishments. The cushions eloquently rest on thick, high grade cowhide saddle straps, which are color coordinated with the upholstery of the Barcelona Chair Replica. This ensures added comfort to the chair, yet making it look sophisticated. For supreme comfort, single panels of leather upholstering the cushion are cut, tailored and tufted by hand. Patterning this luxury, are panels and buttons which are designed using a single hide. Adding to the magnificence, the cushions are drafted in such a manner, that they adapt to the body of the person sitting on the chair.

An Eclectic Dining Room with Gabby transitional dining room furniture from our 2014 introductions called "Sophisticated".
Dining room - transitional dining room idea in Birmingham

Gabby eclectic furniture from our 2014 introductions called "Sophisticated". An eclectic design featuring transitional furniture and eclectic accents. The room showcases a unique eclectic faux horn mirror, a transitional chest of drawers made with cerused oak and bone inlay and an antique style lamp transitional with a purple settee.

Photo: Eric Piasecki/OTTO. Stylist: Emily Rickard
Inspiration for a transitional living room remodel in New York

During excavation for this new modern home, large granite boulders rose to the surface from the primordial hillside. Instead of displacing these monoliths from the site from which they were created, they were arranged to define space. A circle of boulders stand guard around a custom built fire pit, providing protection from the wind while offering a place to climb or sit. The extended landscape view from the lawn is kept intact by the introduction of a ha-ha, a traditional landscape feature, that hides the productive garden and keeps it from breaking the view. Native and drought tolerant plantings hug the outer edges of the property for minimal use of irrigation and to visually blend into the surrounding hillside. This project also features a custom ipe bench with integrated lighting, waterjet address numbers with night lighting, and hardscape that complements the form and materiality of the architecture to create a harmonious transition into the horizontal plane. Photography: Louie Jeon Photography

As the entryway to the home, we wanted this foyer to be a truly refined welcome to each of its guests. As guests enter they will be greeted with this polished and inviting entry, which contrasts dark colors against stunning tall white millwork along the walls. As a designer there is always the challenge of working with aspects of a room that your clients are not going to be changing. For us this was the flooring, to which we fitted with a custom cut L shaped rug that would allow us to tie together the foyer to the stairs and better coincide with the rest of our designs. We added a touch of bright color in the side table with gold and light yellow elements, while still tying things together with the blue and white detailed vase that mirrors the rug design. As the eye travels up the stairs the iron wrought spindles wonderfully accent the stairway’s dark wood railings. Further upward and this captivating grand chandelier accentuates the whole room. The star of the show, this breathtaking chandelier is enhanced by a beautiful ceiling medallion that we had painted within in gold to capture the elegance and light from this chandelier. As a first impression of the household, this foyer space is truly an introduction to the refinement and dignity of this home, and the people within it. Custom designed by Hartley and Hill Design. All materials and furnishings in this space are available through Hartley and Hill Design. www.hartleyandhilldesign.com 888-639-0639

This contemporary white palette family room is brought to life with the introduction of pops of color in the artwork, soft goods, detailing and accessories. The espresso ceiling cloud is surrounded by a textured product to add interest and drama.

Awarded by the Classical institute of art and architecture , the linnean house has a restrained and simple elevation of doors and windows. Nestled in the Forest Hills neighborhood of Washington, D.C., the Linnean House is classical in both plan and elevation throughout its award-winning house plans. The main mass, comprising of the most formal and public spaces, is a spatial triptych along a symmetrical main axis. Inside the luxury home, the limestone façade, simple but well-proportioned with classical elements, extends itself into both the entry portico and main foyer with consistent proportions and materiality. This introduction allows the flanking living and dining rooms to be perceived as separate pavilions, each equipped with eight equal-proportioned French doors symmetrical of the main axis. Beyond the classical spaces are two wings which lead to the master suite and a kitchen/family space, respectively. Both of which are situated to queue from the French door axis, a focal feature in the repeatedly published home design. At the entry foyer, the stark stone luxury architecture is warmed by two symmetrical wood armoire-like freestanding sculptural objects, a persistent theme throughout the luxury house. In the kitchen, for instance, stand four similar wood armoire objects at opposite corners that act as columns and help give this space a sense of boundary and enclosure. The master bath vanity, in similar fashion, is introduced as a central free-standing form anchoring itself as a notable presence in the space. Lastly, the wine room is designed as a series of free-standing heavy wood cavity walls spanned only by a hint of glass.

As the entryway to the home, we wanted this foyer to be a truly refined welcome to each of its guests. As guests enter they will be greeted with this polished and inviting entry, which contrasts dark colors against stunning tall white millwork along the walls. As a designer there is always the challenge of working with aspects of a room that your clients are not going to be changing. For us this was the flooring, to which we fitted with a custom cut L shaped rug that would allow us to tie together the foyer to the stairs and better coincide with the rest of our designs. We added a touch of bright color in the side table with gold and light yellow elements, while still tying things together with the blue and white detailed vase that mirrors the rug design. As the eye travels up the stairs the iron wrought spindles wonderfully accent the stairway’s dark wood railings. Further upward and this captivating grand chandelier accentuates the whole room. The star of the show, this breathtaking chandelier is enhanced by a beautiful ceiling medallion that we had painted within in gold to capture the elegance and light from this chandelier. As a first impression of the household, this foyer space is truly an introduction to the refinement and dignity of this home, and the people within it. Custom designed by Hartley and Hill Design. All materials and furnishings in this space are available through Hartley and Hill Design. www.hartleyandhilldesign.com 888-639-0639

We recently completed three distinct bathroom renovation projects, all located in the same home. Each bathroom — a master, a children’s Jack & Jill bath, and a family/guest bath — was gutted and fully remodeled. We worked on the project with architect Michael Szalaji of Cambridge-based On the Boards Design. The Jack & Jill bath was one of two that needed to be expanded. We annexed an adjacent closet to provide extra square footage. This allowed for the comfortable introduction of a shower stall with a glass Dreamliner door and for the installation of a tall, semi-custom hamper cabinet. The cabinet and vanity were each fitted with Caesarstone countertop. The master bathroom also received an upgrade, with a new shower stall, baseboard and crown molding. The shower features decorative 5” Ogee Drop Tile and an accent border in Natural Stone Pencil. The custom shower door, by Prestige Glass, includes a translucent privacy band etched across the center of the glass. For comfort on cold mornings, radiant heating was installed. On the third floor, adjacent to the family room, a third bath was remodeled. Like the children’s bath, the footprint for this room was also expanded by annexing closet space. We added a shower stall here too, and this one features built-in bench seating. Window glass in the bathroom window was replaced with tempered, frosted glass for safety and privacy. Photos by Shelly Harrison

This project really utilizes backyard space because of its creativeness and ingenuity in design and construction. Some of the pool tucks into the back of the house flawlessly so that the pool doesn’t extend too far out. With bubblers, stepping stones leading to the outdoor kitchen, and parallel deck level fire feature, it’s the perfect introduction to it’s vanishing edge feel. Custom tile and lighting accentuates the pool and backyard perfectly while the house is custom lit as well.

This is the pond and spa we mentioned in the introduction. Placing the spa entirely in-ground (in a Spa Vault) was a truly inspired idea. These Long Island Hot Tub clients can actually feed their pond fish while soaking in their rejuvenating spa waters. Talk about “Ahhhhh.” www.longislandhottub.com

Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center 26767 Agoura Road, Calabasas, CA 91302 Phone 818.880.0011 Fax 818.880.0411 12050 Ventura Blvd.,Studio City, CA 91604 Phone 818.755.1111 Fax 818.755.9111 Since the introduction of the first self-ventilated range and oven in 1961 and downdraft ventilated range in 1965, Jenn-Air brand has consistently grown its reputation as a technology and design innovator. Save up to $4,498 with Purchase of Select Jenn-Air Brand Appliances during the "Your Purchase, Your Reward” and "Fire & Ice" rebates* *Limited time only. See Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center for complete details. Offer valid in the U.S.A. through December 31st, 2014.

Bathroom - 1950s bathroom idea in Austin

Maraya Interior Design's own Maraya Droney designed and built home to raise her young family, with her husband, Tim Droney, contractor. Country English Cottage style home with exotic interiors that reflect the travel the Droney's have had, all over the world, from India to Bhutan, to Morocco and Holland, to name a few. Maraya's inspiration was the homes in Holland, where she is from, bringing the warmth and charm as well as gardens to sunny southern Cal where she grew up. From their beautiful resort town of Ojai, they serve clients in Montecito, Hope Ranch, Santa Ynez, Malibu and Calabasas, across the tri-county area of Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles, south to Hidden Hills and Calabasas.

In 2014, these clients came to Sunspace with a sketch and a dream of enlarging their kitchen. The goal was to create a much larger, open room flooded with natural light. Sunspace worked with the clients to design a space that would meet their goals, and the results are presented here. The most important facet of this project was the design and inclusion of a large double hip skylight centered in the ceiling of the new space. The size of the skylight required a concealed steel frame to carry the long spans and provide the desired levels of natural lighting. Sunspace coordinated the entire project from design to kitchen renovation to completion. The space is open and light. Because the kitchen work area became part of the unified space, the client was left with a great place for family and friends to gather. Additional customization throughout the kitchen and the introduction of elegant wood flooring added to the appeal and warmth of this truly magnificent family space.

Originally built to house a garage, workshop and wood storage, this simple structure has been gently re-imagined into a unique guesthouse with a rustic accents and modern comforts. The exterior retains the classic barn appearance, with the addition of carefully placed windows and industrial-looking Corten steel siding. The introduction of a large dormer to the center of the structure was a simple move, but provided multiple functions: • breaks up the 8’-0” ceiling on the main floor, letting in additional daylight and providing visual relief to the otherwise low ceiling • creates circulation space with the rustic steel stair and bridge • utilizes reclaimed wood siding on the ceiling and walls, contrasting with white drywall and clean bright finishes • visually connects the two upstairs bedrooms with the main floor The focus of the interior was to preserve and accentuate the barn features as much as possible, and have a warm and cozy, energy efficient guest house. Programming included two bedrooms, two bathrooms, dining area, farmhouse kitchen and pantry, living room and laundry room. Materials and furnishes were selected to create a clean, comfortable and inviting interior with a rustic edge. The exposed steel beam was left unfinished showing its existing wear and tear, and the new steel stair was left raw to eventually age and match the beam. Durable and economical oak floors were used throughout. Traditional subway tile and penny rounds contrast with the modern, clean lines of the kitchen and bathrooms. A custom sliding barn door adds texture to the kitchen and closes off the pantry and laundry room from the space. Furniture was a mix of new and existing, which makes the spaces both familiar and comfortable. All in all, there is a timeless look to the end product; a traditional farmstead structure has definitely been giving a great new lease on life. Andrew Pogue