When designer Rachel Peterson of Simply Baths, Inc. first met this young, stylish couple at their house they had a small handful of items they knew they really wanted in their master bathroom: a freestanding tub, a chandelier, a larger shower and more counter space. But the truth was, the bath needed a major face-lift. The space was outdated and lacked personality. It certainly didn't reflect the homeowners and their elegant aesthetic. The combination of stone and wood tiles lends just enough of a rustic flair to bring a little bit of the outdoors in and while helping to balance some of the feminine elements in the room with simple masculine touches. Featuring Dura Supreme Cabinetry.

Inspiration for a modern landscaping in Seattle.

A new home can be beautiful, yet lack soul. For a family with exquisite taste, and a love of the artisan and bespoke, LiLu created a layered palette of furnishings that express each family member’s personality and values. One child, who loves Jackson Pollock, received a window seat from which to enjoy the ceiling’s lively splatter wallpaper. The other child, a young gentleman, has a navy tweed upholstered headboard and plaid club chair with leather ottoman. Elsewhere, sustainably sourced items have provenance and meaning, including a LiLu-designed powder-room vanity with marble top, a Dunes and Duchess table, Italian drapery with beautiful trimmings, Galbraith & Panel wallcoverings, and a bubble table. After working with LiLu, the family’s house has become their home. ---- Project designed by Minneapolis interior design studio LiLu Interiors. They serve the Minneapolis-St. Paul area including Wayzata, Edina, and Rochester, and they travel to the far-flung destinations that their upscale clientele own second homes in. ----- For more about LiLu Interiors, click here: https://www.liluinteriors.com/ ----- To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.liluinteriors.com/blog/portfolio-items/art-of-family/

White custom cabinetry and gold handles make a great backdrop for the warm tones of the custom island, new oak floors and table
Large transitional light wood floor open concept kitchen photo in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone countertops, white backsplash, quartz backsplash, white appliances, an island and white countertops

This kitchen, while spacious, was lacking in several ways: it had a broken work triangle, aging low-end finishes, and an awkward placement within the house that kept other spaces from reaching their full potential. It was time for a do-over. We shifted the location of the kitchen to allow adjacent rooms to grow and reorganized it to create more efficiency. Now, the new kitchen not only has custom designed and crafted cabinetry topped with exquisite stone; it has a tight work triangle, expansive island, key and bag drop zone, large pantry and display shelves, a comfortable circulation path, and more daylight than ever. Function, beauty, and craftsmanship come together to create a one-of-a-kind central hub for this home.

Built in 2007, this Chastain Park home was not short on space, but the design was dated and lacked the sophistication the homeowners desired. Much of the first floor was included in this renovation, completed in early 2024, including the kitchen, butler’s pantry, primary bathroom and closet, and pool bath.

Large trendy black floor kitchen/dining room combo photo in San Francisco with white walls

Built in 2007, this Chastain Park home was not short on space, but the design was dated and lacked the sophistication the homeowners desired. Much of the first floor was included in this renovation, completed in early 2024, including the kitchen, butler’s pantry, primary bathroom and closet, and pool bath.

Our clients wanted their renovation to blend classic design features with modern elements to reflect their elegant, yet comfortable style. The space that needed the most attention was the kitchen which felt dark, cold, and unwelcoming with its traditional espresso-colored cabinets and stainless steel countertops. A two-level peninsula interrupted flow and connectivity with the adjacent spaces. To have the biggest impact and accommodate the kitchen’s expansion and redesign, we relocated a hallway to an exterior wall allowing natural light to flood in. With Craftsman details throughout the rest of the home, our Our clients wanted a double-sided island (with seating) in their redesigned kitchen, something their old one lacked. To maintain good circulation, we designed a shallow ‘hutch’ and recessed the paneled refrigerator/freezer, so they are perfectly aligned. The creamy tone of the painted cabinets complements the champagne-stained maple, adding softness and warmth to the space. We incorporated traditional details such as a beadboard backsplash, library sconces, and a Venetian plaster hood, but balanced these with more modern features such as a continuous quartz backsplash, updated hardware, fixtures and lighting. Blending old and new creates a space with a sense of history and character – it feels fresh, modern, and comfortable. The kitchen is a chef’s dream with a suite of professional appliances including a 48” double gas range and separate 24” refrigerator and freezer columns, paneled to integrate seamlessly. Two sinks allow for separate prep and cleaning zones. Open shelves and glass-front cabinets are the perfect way to showcase treasured items and favorite dishware, while hidden accessories keep the cook and kitchen well-organized. Replacing the old peninsula with an island created better flow and connectivity with the adjacent rooms. The kitchen is now brighter, cozier, and more inviting. An informal dining area connects the new kitchen to the living room and a nearby butler’s pantry got a top-to-bottom makeover. We paired moody blue-green cabinets with a stunning Nero Marquina marble countertop and black sink. Brushed brass was used throughout, from the bar faucet to the hardware and mosaic tile accent. A distinctive drink rail gives a nod to the past while the saturated color on the walls, ceiling and trim feels simultaneously contemporary and timeless.

Our client acquired this historic home full of charm and details, but the architecture was hidden by an overgrown landscape that had a variety of styles, lacking cohesion. Our team worked with the client, the village, and the historical review committee to develop a new landscape design that highlighted the unique architectural features of the home. The design intent was to create a new landscape that looked as though it had always been there. We reduced an oversized circle driveway, added clay brick paver walkways, and built a new terrace with balustrades in front of the home to evoke the original architectural drawings from the home’s design from the 1920s. The design also re-connected the face of the home to the public walkway, creating a more welcoming entry that had been abandoned sometime in the 1950s. Layers of color, textures, and seasonal interest create a foundation of plantings to anchor the home’s stately appearance.

Master bedroom with four post bed
Beach style bedroom photo in New York

Detached accessory dwelling unit
Inspiration for a mid-sized mid-century modern open concept light wood floor and vaulted ceiling living room remodel in Other with white walls, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace and no tv

The owners desired a renovation that was both transitional and classical. They chose Rutt Ruskin cabinetry with walnut drawers for their modest galley-style kitchen layout. The space was equipped with Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove appliances, along with every pullout and rollout imaginable. Featuring a classic Rutt Ruskin hood and Blum Servo-Drive lifts on the doors, this project lacked nothing. The ceiling was opened up to create a spacious dining area and a functional mudroom, complete with a mirror and a well-stocked bar for unwinding after a long day.

The goal for this 1939 Tudor-style story-and-a-half home was to create a kitchen that offered the conveniences, storage, and performance of a modern workspace while preserving the warmth, craftsmanship, and vintage charm that made the home special. The client, an avid home cook, wanted the room to feel as though it had always belonged to the house, with thoughtful upgrades that respected the original architecture rather than competing with it. Just as important, she needed a more efficient layout with enough storage for small appliances, so everyday cooking would no longer require carrying items up from the lower level. Several existing conditions shaped the design approach. The kitchen retained original, amber-stained birch woodwork that the client wished to keep, and the compact footprint was interrupted by six doorways and two windows, none of which were to be moved, altered, or replaced. A previous flooring update had left the door casings undercut too short, creating visible gaps where the casing met the floor. The existing vintage 40-inch range also lacked proper ventilation, yet the client wished to accommodate a refrigerator, dishwasher, cooktop, double ovens, built-in microwave, and effective venting above the cooktop into the new kitchen layout. To honor the original millwork, beaded inset-style cherry cabinetry was selected in a soft, hand-rubbed finish that will deepen over time and develop a natural patina. Charcoal-gray soapstone countertops complement the cabinetry while reinforcing the historic character of the home with an organic, timeworn texture. The former breakfast nook was transformed into a butler’s pantry, adding valuable base cabinet storage and expanded work surfaces for frequently used small appliances. Also in the butler’s pantry, a single upper cabinet was paired with open shelves to give an open, airy feeling while adding character and practical storage. A classic single-bowl apron-front workstation sink contributes both period-appropriate character and practical prep and cleanup function. Because the home’s openings were such a defining feature, the design worked within the existing architecture instead of altering it. Custom plinth blocks were created for each doorway to extend the original casing gracefully down to the new natural red oak flooring, resolving the earlier construction issue while adding a detail that feels authentic to the age of the house. Despite the number of door and window openings, the new layout provides a significantly more functional, built-in kitchen with an improved work triangle for serious cooking. Appliance placement was carefully planned to deliver the requested performance without overwhelming the small room. Three cooking functions (double ovens & microwave) were consolidated into one location with a GE Café double oven featuring Advantium Technology, while the client’s compact 31-inch refrigerator was reused to preserve space. A sleek 30-inch induction cooktop provides efficient cooking, and a Vent-A-Hood ARS ductless vent hood supplies needed ventilation without requiring a duct run to the exterior. The finish palette balances richness, texture, and historical sensitivity. A deeply textured navy backsplash tile adds depth and dramatic shadow play against the soapstone, while wallpaper in the back entry echoes the tile’s geometric pattern to visually connect the adjoining spaces. Oil-rubbed bronze cabinet hardware and light fixtures enhance the warmth of the cherry cabinetry and complete the antique-inspired feel. Lighting was layered to make the compact kitchen brighter, more useful, and more inviting. Vintage-style semi-flush ceiling fixtures establish the overall tone, while dimmable puck lights highlight select areas and undercabinet task lighting keeps work surfaces well illuminated. The completed kitchen now feels both highly functional and deeply rooted in the home’s history. Rich cherry cabinetry, velvety soapstone, natural red oak flooring, navy tile, bronze accents, and carefully preserved birch trim work together to create a warm, cohesive space that celebrates timeless craftsmanship. By increasing storage, improving workflow, integrating modern appliances, and respecting the Tudor home’s original character, the design achieves the client’s vision: a kitchen that feels personal, practical, historically appropriate, and as though it has always been there.

This Observatory Park Home had a functional kitchen but was dark and dreary. It also needed an appliance upgrade and some updated features like lighting plumbing and backsplash. The layout was functional, however the island lacked space. We did a full rip out and replace of the cabinets, countertops, light fixtures, and plumbing. We expanded the island for more storage and added an under-counter microwave.

This expansive first floor takes luxury to the next level. A once dreary and dark kitchen, lacking in function, takes on a new look. Natural light floods through the kitchen with wall-to-wall windows, highlighting the gorgeous wood texture from the rift sawn white oak and walnut inset cabinets. A french La Corneau range provides a beautiful focal point, paired with layered designer lighting and various stones. A host’s dream space for entertaining with a hidden pantry, fully stocked with a chefs sink, dishwasher, and wall oven with ample storage for dry goods and small appliances. A morning brew or 5'oclock cocktail can be found in the fully loaded wet bar stocked with an integrated espresso maker, ice maker, refrigerator, freezer, wine cooler, and spirits collected from traveling the globe. Cheers!

Kitchen in Calle De Pompas | Room Type: Whole Home (Interior and Outdoor Living) | Project Name: Calle De Pompas | Key Feature: A builder-grade home transformed through updated furnishings, lighting, and outdoor entertaining elements, including a Hestan outdoor grill. Challenge: The home originally featured builder-grade finishes and lacked personality. The goal was to refresh the space after several years of living there and create a home that felt more personal and elevated through updated furnishings and design details. Solution: The home was refreshed with new furniture, updated lighting, and upgraded materials to give the space an entirely new feel while improving functionality and style throughout the interior and outdoor entertaining areas. Materials: Arizona Tile, SapienStone outdoor BBQ countertop, and lighting from Sunlighting. Budget: $75k-$150K | Timeline: Completed June 2020.

This Observatory Park Home had a functional kitchen but was dark and dreary. It also needed an appliance upgrade and some updated features like lighting plumbing and backsplash. The layout was functional, however the island lacked space. We did a full rip out and replace of the cabinets, countertops, light fixtures, and plumbing. We expanded the island for more storage and added an under-counter microwave.

Beach style staircase photo in Vancouver