This family has a lot children. This long hallway filled with bench seats that lift up to allow storage of any item they may need. Photography by Greg Hoppe

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Our clients and their three teenage kids had outgrown the footprint of their existing home and felt they needed some space to spread out. They came in with a couple of sets of drawings from different architects that were not quite what they were looking for, so we set out to really listen and try to provide a design that would meet their objectives given what the space could offer. We started by agreeing that a bump out was the best way to go and then decided on the size and the floor plan locations of the mudroom, powder room and butler pantry which were all part of the project. We also planned for an eat-in banquette that is neatly tucked into the corner and surrounded by windows providing a lovely spot for daily meals. The kitchen itself is L-shaped with the refrigerator and range along one wall, and the new sink along the exterior wall with a large window overlooking the backyard. A large island, with seating for five, houses a prep sink and microwave. A new opening space between the kitchen and dining room includes a butler pantry/bar in one section and a large kitchen pantry in the other. Through the door to the left of the main sink is access to the new mudroom and powder room and existing attached garage. White inset cabinets, quartzite countertops, subway tile and nickel accents provide a traditional feel. The gray island is a needed contrast to the dark wood flooring. Last but not least, professional appliances provide the tools of the trade needed to make this one hardworking kitchen. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Mike Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

New Yorkers are always on the prowl for innovative ways to make the most of the space they have. An upper east side couple, challenged with a slightly narrow L shaped apartment sought out Decor Aid’s help to make the most of their Manhattan condo. Paired with one of our senior designer, Kimberly P., we learned that the clients wanted a space that looked beautiful, comfortable and also packed with functionality for everyday living. “Immediately upon seeing the space, I knew that we needed to create a narrative that allowed the design to control how you moved through the space,” reports Kimberly, senior interior designer. After surveying each room and learning a bit more about their personal style, we started with the living room remodel. It was clear that the couple wanted to infuse mid-century modern into the design plan. Sourcing the Room & Board Jasper Sofa with its narrow arms and tapered legs, it offered the mid-century look, with the modern comfort the clients are used to. Velvet accent pillows from West Elm and Crate & Barrel add pops of colors but also a subtle touch of luxury, while framed pictures from the couple’s honeymoon personalize the space. Moving to the dining room next, Kimberly decided to add a blue accent wall to emphasize the Horchow two piece Percussion framed art that was to be the focal point of the dining area. The Seno sideboard from Article perfectly accentuated the mid-century style the clients loved while providing much-needed storage space. The palette used throughout both rooms were very New York style, grays, blues, beiges, and whites, to add depth, Kimberly sourced decorative pieces in a mixture of different metals. “The artwork above their bureau in the bedroom is photographs that her father took,” Moving into the bedroom renovation, our designer made sure to continue to stick to the client’s style preference while once again creating a personalized, warm and comforting space by including the photographs taken by the client’s father. The Avery bed added texture and complimented the other colors in the room, while a hidden drawer at the foot pulls out for attached storage, which thrilled the clients. A deco-inspired Faceted mirror from West Elm was a perfect addition to the bedroom due to the illusion of space it provides. The result was a bedroom that was full of mid-century design, personality, and area so they can freely move around. The project resulted in the form of a layered mid-century modern design with touches of luxury but a space that can not only be lived in but serves as an extension of the people who live there. Our designer was able to take a very narrowly shaped Manhattan apartment and revamp it into a spacious home that is great for sophisticated entertaining or comfortably lazy nights in.

Jeri Koegel Photography
Example of a large trendy master light wood floor and brown floor bedroom design in Orange County with white walls, a stone fireplace and a ribbon fireplace

Bulletin Board in hall and bench for putting on shoes
Hallway - mid-sized mid-century modern light wood floor and beige floor hallway idea in San Francisco with gray walls

A pantry was removed and doorway relocated to provide a longer wall to house a 48" Wolf range and faux-finished hood. An expansive L-shaped island provides plenty of counter space for prepping meals as well as additional seating for 3.

This LEED Platinum certified house reflects the homeowner's desire for an exceptionally healthy and comfortable living environment, within a traditional neighborhood. INFILL SITE. The family, who moved from another area of Wellesley, sought out this property to be within walking distance of the high school and downtown area. An existing structure on the tight lot was removed to make way for the new home. 84% of the construction waste, from both the previous structure and the new home, was diverted from a landfill. ZED designed to preserve the existing mature trees on the perimeter of the property to minimize site impacts, and to maintain the character of the neighborhood as well as privacy on the site. EXTERIOR EXPRESSION. The street facade of the home relates to the local New England vernacular. The rear uses contemporary language, a nod to the family’s Californian roots, to incorporate a roof deck, solar panels, outdoor living space, and the backyard swimming pool. ZED’s careful planning avoided to the need to face the garage doors towards the street, a common syndrome of a narrow lot. THOUGHTFUL SPACE. Homes with dual entries can often result in duplicate and unused spaces. In this home, the everyday and formal entry areas are one and the same; the front and garage doors share the entry program of coat closets, mudroom storage with bench for removing your shoes, and a laundry room with generous closets for the children's sporting equipment. The entry area leads directly to the living space, encompassing the kitchen, dining and sitting area areas in an L-shaped open plan arrangement. The kitchen is placed at the south-west corner of the space to allow for a strong connection to the dining, sitting and outdoor living spaces. A fire pit on the deck satisfies the family’s desire for an open flame while a sealed gas fireplace is used indoors - ZED’s preference after omitting gas burning appliances completely from an airtight home. A small study, with a window seat, is conveniently located just off of the living space. A first floor guest bedroom includes an accessible bathroom for aging visitors and can be used as a master suite to accommodate aging in place. HEALTHY LIVING. The client requested a home that was easy to clean and would provide a respite from seasonal allergies and common contaminants that are found in many indoor spaces. ZED selected easy to clean solid surface flooring throughout, provided ample space for cleaning supplies on each floor, and designed a mechanical system with ventilation that provides a constant supply of fresh outdoor air. ZED selected durable materials, finishes, cabinetry, and casework with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and no added urea formaldehyde. YEAR-ROUND COMFORT. The home is super insulated and air-tight, paired with high performance triple-paned windows, to ensure it is draft-free throughout the winter (even when in front of the large windows and doors). ZED designed a right-sized heating and cooling system to pair with the thermally improved building enclosure to ensure year-round comfort. The glazing on the home maximizes passive solar gains, and facilitates cross ventilation and daylighting. ENERGY EFFICIENT. As one of the most energy efficient houses built to date in Wellesley, the home highlights a practical solution for Massachusetts. First, the building enclosure reduces the largest energy requirement for typical houses (heating). Super-insulation, exceptional air sealing, a thermally broken wall assembly, triple pane windows, and passive solar gain combine for a sizable heating load reduction. Second, within the house only efficient systems consume energy. These include an air source heat pump for heating & cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation, and high efficiency appliances. Lastly, photovoltaics provide renewable energy help offset energy consumption. The result is an 89% reduction in energy use compared to a similar brand new home built to code requirements. RESILIENT. The home will fare well in extreme weather events. During a winter power outage, heat loss will be very slow due to the super-insulated and airtight envelope– taking multiple days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. An engineered drainage system, paired with careful the detailing of the foundation, will help to keep the finished basement dry. A generator will provide full operation of the all-electric house during a power outage. OVERALL. The home is a reflection of the family goals and an expression of their values, beautifully enabling health, comfort, safety, resilience, and utility, all while respecting the planet. ZED - Architect & Mechanical Designer Bevilacqua Builders Inc - Contractor Creative Land & Water Engineering - Civil Engineering Barbara Peterson Landscape - Landscape Design Nest & Company - Interior Furnishings Eric Roth Photography - Photography

RUSTIC GLAM Time Frame: 5 Weeks // Budget: $16,000 // Design Fee: $1,250 After purchasing a new home in north Upland, this young couple enlisted me to help create a warm, relaxing environment in their living/dining space. They didn’t want anything too fussy or formal. They wanted a comfortable space to entertain, play cards and watch TV. I had a good foundation of dark wood floors and grey walls to work with. Everything else was newly purchased. Instead of a formal dining room, they requested a more relaxed space to hang out with friends. I had a custom L-shaped banquette made in a slate blue velvet and a glamorous statement chandelier installed for a wow factor. The bench came as part of the table set, but I had it reupholstered in the same fabric as the banquette. A ceiling fan and a new entry light were installed to reinforce the rustic vibe. Elegant, yet comfortable furnishings were purchased, custom 2 finger pleat drapes in an oatmeal fabric were hung, and accessories and decor were layered in to create a “lived-in” feeling. Overall, the space is now a great place to relax and hang out with family and friends.

Custom Grey Mudroom and L-Shaped Home Office Suite with Integrated Storage and Stained Countertops.
Home office - transitional home office idea in Atlanta

Combining the popular 6 ft Buckingham Round Table with the Buckingham Benches creates a perfect level of comfort for outdoor dining and picnicking. The table can accept an optional umbrella to create a more relaxing atmosphere, and an optional Lazy Susan can provide all around access. The Buckingham Bench Dining Set features: 1 Buckingham Round Table, 4 Buckingham Benches. Seating up to 12. Optional cushions for the benches made with Quick Dry Foam® core and 100% solution dyed Sunbrella fabrics. Built with 100% Grade A Teak harvested from sustainable plantations in Indonesia, every piece is precision manufactured to standard specifications for commercial and residential use. Optional Teak Finishes available. Sizes: Table-71"D x 30"H; Curved Bench - 69.5 L on outside edge/52 L on Inside Edge x 24W x 36 H

A cottage garden that represents a little slice of heaven! The large lawn area is accompanied by an L-shaped pool, lounge area, and patio. A smaller sitting area on the back porch was designed in a whimsical rustic style, decorated with natural wood furnishings and wicker chairs, surrounded by large potted flowers.

Bathroom and Shower Teak Wood Benches and Seats In stock - Ship Same Day Triangle Corner Bench Small - 18" H x 17" W x 8 1/2" D - $189.00 Triangle Corner Bench Large - 23 1/4" H x 17" L x 11" D x 16 1/2" H - $199.00 Rectangle Bench with Removable Shelf 22 - 22" W x 12" D x 18" H - $289.00 Rectangle Bench with Removable Shelf 28 - 28" W x 12" D x 18" H - $319.00 Wall Mount Fold-Down Bench 18 - 18" W x 12 1/2" D - $299.00 Wall Mount Fold-Down Bench 25 - 25" W x 12 1/2" D - $349.00 Wall Mount Fold-Down Bench 30 - 30" W x 12 1/2" D - $389.00 We offer a wide range of standard sizes and styles plus we can create just about any size, shape or design that you can imagine. Feature • A perfect shaving step! • Plantation Teak • Minimal Maintenance Required • Made of natural teak wood • Marine grade stainless steel hardware is used • Rounded edges on seat battens for comfort and safety • Ideal for use in or out of the shower and or high-moisture areas Plantation Teak Our FSC certified Plantation Teak comes from trees harvested from an actual plantation of younger Teak trees. Since we only use the heartwood of the tree, it has all the same qualities of old growth Burmese Teak but it is a little lighter in color. Feature (fold-up bench) * Seat mounts directly to the shower wall * 304 stainless steel wall brackets lock securely into place when the seat is lifted, yet folds down easily when not in use * Seat remains in raised position until you fold it down * Low pressure spring action makes it easy to raise and lower the seat * Made of natural teak wood * Marine grade stainless steel hardware is used * Rounded edges on seat battens for comfort and safety * Ideal for use in or out of the shower and or high-moisture areas * Automatically locks when flap is in open position. * Press lever to release the lock. * Complete mounting instructions included with each bench * Maximum Weight Capacity when properly mounted: 250-300lbs (113.4-136.1kg) Handcrafted in the USA Assembly Instructions for Teak Bench ship same day NATIONWIDE our store open to the public 5047 W Jefferson Blvd Los Angeles CA 90016 Mon - Fri 7:00 am - 5:00pm Sunday 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

A cottage garden that represents a little slice of heaven! The large lawn area is accompanied by an L-shaped pool, lounge area, and patio. A smaller sitting area on the back porch was designed in a whimsical rustic style, decorated with natural wood furnishings and wicker chairs, surrounded by large potted flowers.

MVB

L shaped Staircase Framing
Example of a wooden l-shaped staircase design in Orange County with wooden risers

Modern TV Stand Inverse by Huppe Made in Canada The Inverse by Huppe is a TV Stand made of select birch veneer available in a variety of finishes. The TV Stand features two 24-inch-wide drawers and a side shelf, providing with open and closed storage space. Large drawers shut gently and silently thanks to high quality hardware and invisible self-closing slow-motion slides. The fronts of the drawers are made of black lacquered glass. The back panel features cut outs for maximum ventilation and easy wiring. The L-shaped sliding top of the TV stand is made of lacquered MDF and features a shelf and a cut out for wires. The side of sliding top is made of raw metal matching in color the drawer glass fronts. The open compartment areas are perfect for placing your media devices. Customers are ensured that this product, designed by Huppe and manufactured in Canada by a passionate team, is unique, authentic and of top quality. The TV stand is available with a shelf and L-shaped sliding top facing left or right side. Features: Designed by Huppe Structure in veneered wood available in a variety of birch finishes L-shaped sliding top with shelf is made of MDF available in several lacquered finishes Back panels with the cut-outs for wiring Two 24-inch-wide drawers with black lacquered glass fronts The drawer features self-clothing slow motions slides Open storage areas Available with a shelf and L-shaped sliding top facing left or right side The starting price is for the Inverse TV Stand. Dimensions: TV Stand: W73"-104" x D23" x H18.5"

Elizabeth Steiner Photography
Example of a large cottage ceramic tile and black floor mudroom design in Chicago with beige walls and a black front door

This cozy corner banquette seating makes a comfortable addition to any kitchen—whether it's large or small. The built-in banquette is great for casual dining, morning coffee, friendly conversation, afterschool homework—or anything else you can dream of.

Transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor, brown floor, exposed beam and shiplap ceiling kitchen photo in Vancouver with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops