This homeowner’s story resonates with many who are considering aging in place. She loved her Normandy Park home but found that her bathroom no longer met her needs. While soaking in her jacuzzi tub had been a cherished routine, the high ledge made it increasingly difficult—and unsafe—to use. After experiencing a few falls, she knew it was time for a change. Initially, she contacted a national company specializing in ADA-compliant tubs, but they couldn’t retrofit her space. That’s when she called Better Builders. Together, we transformed her bathroom into a safe, functional, and beautifully designed retreat where she could relax without worry. By thoughtfully integrating accessible features without compromising aesthetics, we gave this homeowner a bathroom that meets her current needs and supports her ability to live independently for years to come.

Summer in Houston has a way of changing the rhythm of everyday life. Mornings start a little earlier, evenings stretch a little longer, and weekends seem to invite you outside. It is a season for enjoying the city, slowing down when you can, and making the most of the time you have. For those considering Houston high rise condos, summer can also offer a fresh perspective on what it means to choose a home. At The Parklane, life is not simply about living above the city. It is about having Houston's green spaces, cultural destinations, dining, recreation, and everyday conveniences woven into the experience of home. Located alongside Hermann Park in the Museum District, The Parklane offers a setting where summer can feel both connected and wonderfully removed from the pace of the city.

Here, our clients hoped to introduce a mix of modern elements to their traditional country home. The space was remodelled from top to bottom as we accommodated the varying objectives of the homeowners. Structurally, this included installing coffer ceilings and elongating select windows to reach the floor. These windows, as well as heightened ceilings, make the most out of the light for this East-facing home, which is finally a fitting welcome for the glorious morning sun. Moving through the home, modern touches can be found throughout, especially in the kitchen and main living areas. A stylish wood-front fireplace provides the perfect place to gather and relax, while a newly optimized kitchen with an array of strategically positioned storage spaces, modern accoutrements, and traditional mouldings makes entertaining a breeze. Accessibility and the ability to age in place was another priority for this couple. To achieve both, we ensured our clients’ essentials were designed for the main floor. The installation of a roll-in and barrier-free steam shower, and small accommodative features like the sliding ladder in the roomy walk-in closet ensure this space will stand the test of time. Now a beautiful, functional, and elegant space, this couple no longer need to consider moving from the place they've so lovingly called home.

Here, our clients hoped to introduce a mix of modern elements to their traditional country home. The space was remodelled from top to bottom as we accommodated the varying objectives of the homeowners. Structurally, this included installing coffer ceilings and elongating select windows to reach the floor. These windows, as well as heightened ceilings, make the most out of the light for this East-facing home, which is finally a fitting welcome for the glorious morning sun. Moving through the home, modern touches can be found throughout, especially in the kitchen and main living areas. A stylish wood-front fireplace provides the perfect place to gather and relax, while a newly optimized kitchen with an array of strategically positioned storage spaces, modern accoutrements, and traditional mouldings makes entertaining a breeze. Accessibility and the ability to age in place was another priority for this couple. To achieve both, we ensured our clients’ essentials were designed for the main floor. The installation of a roll-in and barrier-free steam shower, and small accommodative features like the sliding ladder in the roomy walk-in closet ensure this space will stand the test of time. Now a beautiful, functional, and elegant space, this couple no longer need to consider moving from the place they've so lovingly called home.

Here, our clients hoped to introduce a mix of modern elements to their traditional country home. The space was remodelled from top to bottom as we accommodated the varying objectives of the homeowners. Structurally, this included installing coffer ceilings and elongating select windows to reach the floor. These windows, as well as heightened ceilings, make the most out of the light for this East-facing home, which is finally a fitting welcome for the glorious morning sun. Moving through the home, modern touches can be found throughout, especially in the kitchen and main living areas. A stylish wood-front fireplace provides the perfect place to gather and relax, while a newly optimized kitchen with an array of strategically positioned storage spaces, modern accoutrements, and traditional mouldings makes entertaining a breeze. Accessibility and the ability to age in place was another priority for this couple. To achieve both, we ensured our clients’ essentials were designed for the main floor. The installation of a roll-in and barrier-free steam shower, and small accommodative features like the sliding ladder in the roomy walk-in closet ensure this space will stand the test of time. Now a beautiful, functional, and elegant space, this couple no longer need to consider moving from the place they've so lovingly called home.

Formal dining room with custom chairs, light fixture and wallpaper.
Inspiration for a transitional dining room remodel in Orange County

This small rough Chinese Slate floor in the kitchen of a house in the village of Cheadle near Stockport in Greater Manchester had not had any sealer put on it for many years and was very grubby (dishevelled as described by the customer) looking even after the customer had tried to clean it. Sealers do take a lot of punishment, especially in a high traffic area such as a small kitchen and will wear off over time and once this happens the floor will start to lose its appearance as dirt becomes ingrained in the stone and it can no longer be cleaned effectively. As we have to apply a liberal amount of water with this sort of work, the first step was to remove the Kicker boards at the bottom of the Kitchen units and silicone the Kitchen units that were fixed; this stops water seeping in and blowing the MDF allowing us to concentrate on cleaning the Slate without causing any damage. I started the cleaning process by applying a strong dilution of Tile Doctor Pro-Clean to get rid of the built up dirt and any remaining sealer, leaving it to soak into the Slate before scrubbing the floor with a black scrub pad fitted to buffing machine running at slow speed. Tile Doctor Pro-Clean is a strong alkaline cleaner/stripper that is safe to use on natural stone, we do have stronger products available if required but in this case a strong dilution of Pro-Clean was sufficient to tackle any remaining sealer. This process gave the Slate and grout lines a good deep clean and after rinsing the floor with water which was then extracted using a wet vacuum I repeated the process on stubborn areas until satisfied the floor was as clean and free of old sealer. Last stage of the cleaning process was to give the floor a final rinse and then get it as dry as possible using the wet vacuum to soak up the moisture. The floor was quite small so I was able to leave the floor to dry off over lunch time and then on my return managed to get it fully dry with a little heat from a heat gun. The customer wanted a mat finish so once dry I applied Tile Doctor Colour Grow sealer which impregnates into the pores of the natural stone protecting it from within and enhancing the natural colours of the Slate at the same time. For general cleaning of Sealed stone floors, we recommend the use of a PH Neutral Cleaner as anything with a strong PH will degrade the life of the sealer over time. Steve Keary Greater Manchester Tile Doctor

Cabinets above the toilet added much needed storage to the guest bathroom.
Example of a small beach style blue tile and glass tile corner shower design in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet and gray walls

KitchenLab Interiors’ first, entirely new construction project in collaboration with GTH architects who designed the residence. KLI was responsible for all interior finishes, fixtures, furnishings, and design including the stairs, casework, interior doors, moldings and millwork. KLI also worked with the client on selecting the roof, exterior stucco and paint colors, stone, windows, and doors. The homeowners had purchased the existing home on a lakefront lot of the Valley Lo community in Glenview, thinking that it would be a gut renovation, but when they discovered a host of issues including mold, they decided to tear it down and start from scratch. The minute you look out the living room windows, you feel as though you're on a lakeside vacation in Wisconsin or Michigan. We wanted to help the homeowners achieve this feeling throughout the house - merging the causal vibe of a vacation home with the elegance desired for a primary residence. This project is unique and personal in many ways - Rebekah and the homeowner, Lorie, had grown up together in a small suburb of Columbus, Ohio. Lorie had been Rebekah's babysitter and was like an older sister growing up. They were both heavily influenced by the style of the late 70's and early 80's boho/hippy meets disco and 80's glam, and both credit their moms for an early interest in anything related to art, design, and style. One of the biggest challenges of doing a new construction project is that it takes so much longer to plan and execute and by the time tile and lighting is installed, you might be bored by the selections of feel like you've seen them everywhere already. “I really tried to pull myself, our team and the client away from the echo-chamber of Pinterest and Instagram. We fell in love with counter stools 3 years ago that I couldn't bring myself to pull the trigger on, thank god, because then they started showing up literally everywhere", Rebekah recalls. Lots of one of a kind vintage rugs and furnishings make the home feel less brand-spanking new. The best projects come from a team slightly outside their comfort zone. One of the funniest things Lorie says to Rebekah, "I gave you everything you wanted", which is pretty hilarious coming from a client to a designer.

Our goal on this project was to make the main floor of this lovely early 20th century home in a popular Vancouver neighborhood work for a growing family of four. We opened up the space, both literally and aesthetically, with windows and skylights, an efficient layout, some carefully selected furniture pieces and a soft colour palette that lends a light and playful feel to the space. Our clients can hardly believe that their once small, dark, uncomfortable main floor has become a bright, functional and beautiful space where they can now comfortably host friends and hang out as a family. Interior Design by Lori Steeves of Simply Home Decorating Inc. Photos by Tracey Ayton Photography.

See what our client say about Paul Lopa Designs: It went as smooth as it possibly could go. The only bumps in the road was with what we found during demolition, you never know what your gonna run into when all the walls, floors and fixtures come out. Paul had explained to us that depending on what we found under all the out dated stuff it might take a little longer. Paul was there doing the work with his workers he showed up on time and finished on schedule. It was no problem being in touch with Paul because he answered his phone or got back to us in a timely fashion. He has an excellent sense of design he knows what goes well together and makes the house flow with comfort and usability. Paul Lopa designs,inc

Inspiration for a transitional medium tone wood floor and brown floor reach-in closet remodel in Toronto with recessed-panel cabinets and medium tone wood cabinets

See what our client say about Paul Lopa Designs: It went as smooth as it possibly could go. The only bumps in the road was with what we found during demolition, you never know what your gonna run into when all the walls, floors and fixtures come out. Paul had explained to us that depending on what we found under all the out dated stuff it might take a little longer. Paul was there doing the work with his workers he showed up on time and finished on schedule. It was no problem being in touch with Paul because he answered his phone or got back to us in a timely fashion. He has an excellent sense of design he knows what goes well together and makes the house flow with comfort and usability. Paul Lopa designs,inc

Our clients came to us wanting to update their kitchen while keeping their traditional and timeless style. They desired to open up the kitchen to the dining room and to widen doorways to make the kitchen feel less closed off from the rest of the home. They wanted to create more functional storage and working space at the island. Other goals were to replace the sliding doors to the back deck, add mudroom storage and update lighting for a brighter, cleaner look. We created a kitchen and dining space that brings our homeowners joy to cook, dine and spend time together in. We installed a longer, more functional island with barstool seating in the kitchen. We added pantry cabinets with roll out shelves. We widened the doorways and opened up the wall between the kitchen and dining room. We added cabinetry with glass display doors in the kitchen and also the dining room. We updated the lighting and replaced sliding doors to the back deck. In the mudroom, we added closed storage and a built-in bench.

See what our client say about Paul Lopa Designs: It went as smooth as it possibly could go. The only bumps in the road was with what we found during demolition, you never know what your gonna run into when all the walls, floors and fixtures come out. Paul had explained to us that depending on what we found under all the out dated stuff it might take a little longer. Paul was there doing the work with his workers he showed up on time and finished on schedule. It was no problem being in touch with Paul because he answered his phone or got back to us in a timely fashion. He has an excellent sense of design he knows what goes well together and makes the house flow with comfort and usability. Paul Lopa designs,inc

Birdhouse and purple clematis accents a gated garden entrance. A colorful cottage gate garden to make the heart glad that it is spring.
Inspiration for a victorian full sun front yard garden path in New York for spring.

Fond memories and classic charm guide the design for a modern family home in Old Palo Alto Even in future-oriented Silicon Valley, there are enclaves like Old Palo Alto, where time has stood still a little longer. The clients, a family of four, were drawn to the casual charm of the community, particularly the rambling landscape of a rare half-acre lot near Gamble Garden where they could build a warm and welcoming home suited to their relaxed style of living and entertaining. The two-tone gray shingle style abode features a broad front porch for taking in the afternoon breezes and greeting children as they return from school. Beneath a center gable, the sunny yellow Dutch door ushers in all who enter with a very warm welcome. Inside, bespoke details are the result of genuine collaboration between the clients and FGA. Soft ivory plaster walls, chestnut floors, and cedar-inlay ceilings frame rooms filled with custom milled built-ins like library shelves, writing desks, and window seats. Handsome wainscoting, whimsical railings, and colorful tiles are among the unique elements that wrap rooms in comfort and elicit a sense of nostalgia for the homeowners. Storybook stone fireplaces recall time spent in Carmel while hand-hewn half-round beams are inspired by vacations in New Mexico. The living room picture window is a heartfelt reminder of childhood memories made at grandmother’s house. All first-floor rooms offer immediate access to outdoor living areas including the large stone patio, lounge, and pool. This seamless extension to the vintage farm-like grounds and lush gardens signifies the authentic spirit of California’s al fresco lifestyle.