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

HardiePlank Cedarmill 7" Exposure (Timberbark) NT3 Trim 5/4 (Arctic White) GAF Timberline HD (Pewter Gray) 5" Gutters & Downspouts MidAmerica Louvered Shutters (Black) Installed by American Home Contractors, Florham Park, NJ Property located in Berkeley Heights, NJ www.njahc.com

Keepin' it real, cool and crisp at the #CrispModernFarmhouse. Hangin'out with Audrey and her fam bam on the daily is a real treat! Audrey takes the traditional style coined "farmhouse" to a whole-nother level... Inside the #CrispCasa, her signature style-statement vibes can be found in every room; mixing in modern elements with a kiss of minimalist-chic, we're just glad we made the final cut, in every space! Shutter style: Polywood® Bright white. Louver size & finish: 3.5 in/smooth. Tilt Option: Hidden/Split Tilt. Photo & Style creds: Audrey @AudreyCrispInteriors https://www.instagram.com/audreycrispinteriors/

Asher Associates Architects; Brandywine Developers, Builder; Megan Gorelick Interiors; Don Pearse, Photography
Example of a large beach style backyard deck design in Philadelphia with a fire pit and a roof extension

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Trent Bell
Example of a mid-sized danish open concept concrete floor living room design in Portland Maine with white walls, a ribbon fireplace, a concrete fireplace and a media wall

Black baby grand piano with these white plantation shutters with elongated arch window shutter complement each other in this music room as do the dark brown walls and medium hardwood floors. Windows Dressed Up window treatment store featuring custom blinds, shutters, shades, drapes, curtains, valances and bedding in Denver services the metro area, including Parker, Castle Rock, Boulder, Evergreen, Broomfield, Lakewood, Aurora, Thornton, Centennial, Littleton, Highlands Ranch, Arvada, Golden, Westminster, Lone Tree, Greenwood Village, Wheat Ridge. Photo: Graber white wood shutters with elongated arch wndow shutter.

The second bathroom in this renovation was the master bathroom complete with a 'his & hers' vanity station and a white and medium beige contrasting colour scheme. Floor to ceiling tiling and louvred interior windows, this master bathroom really does have a 'resort' feel to it.

Living room - transitional living room idea in Miami

4 panels over 4 panels, 1 1/4" thick, 1 7/8" louvers, curved window application. Design: Nicole Hogarty Designs, Location: Marlborough Street, Boston, MA, Photo: Michael J. Lee Photography

Mark Hoyle
Example of a large mountain style brown two-story concrete fiberboard gable roof design in Other

The stained shutters come in a variety stains and are a perfect solution for specialty shaped windows. Our shutters are flexible in design and let you decide how you want your shutters to operate and allows you to enjoy more view than ever before with louvers as large as 4.5” (plantation shutters). Our wood shutters have a satin coating, protecting them from common spills and making cleanup as simple as dusting with a soft, dry cloth. We have several types of shutters to match your needs and budget. We have FREE in-home consultation and FREE showroom appointments. You can also stop in our showroom anytime during our normal business hours. Our professional Design Specialists are never pushy and believe in putting the client’s needs first. Give us a call today to get started on your shutter project today. 317-273-8343 Showroom: 1159 Country Club Road Indianapolis, In 46234 M-F 9am-5pm *Evenings & Saturdays by Appointments

A big challenge our customers face is covering the sidelights on either side of their front door. Whether it be for privacy or to protect furniture and floors, dressing a side light can be a challenge. Clients want something operable that looks finished. It’s not easy to find a solution that doesn’t look like something just dangling from the wall and blowing around every time the door gets opened. This is the first impression most guests have of your home, after all. One of our favorite solutions to addressing sidelight with shutters. Specifically, we offer a unique application to cover sidelights that don’t allow much width as a mounting surface. Batten back shutters reduce the need for the bulky frame and allow a mount with as little as ¾” width!! This results in a wider louver in relation to the frame; and we want as much width as we can get. This way we have nice, grand shutter louvers, not a bulky frame blocking the widow.

With so much surface area of modern houses dedicated to windows, having control over energy efficiency and privacy is an absolute must. Plantation shutters are the most energy-efficient window treatments available, and can even be installed on those aforementioned sliding glass doors and transom windows. For full-wall windows, shutters offer even more freedom in window coverage since you can open and shut individual sets of louvers, rather than having to pull a whole drapery over your window.

With so much surface area of modern houses dedicated to windows, having control over energy efficiency and privacy is an absolute must. Plantation shutters are the most energy-efficient window treatments available, and can even be installed on those aforementioned sliding glass doors and transom windows. For full-wall windows, shutters offer even more freedom in window coverage since you can open and shut individual sets of louvers, rather than having to pull a whole drapery over your window.

With so much surface area of modern houses dedicated to windows, having control over energy efficiency and privacy is an absolute must. Plantation shutters are the most energy-efficient window treatments available, and can even be installed on those aforementioned sliding glass doors and transom windows. For full-wall windows, shutters offer even more freedom in window coverage since you can open and shut individual sets of louvers, rather than having to pull a whole drapery over your window.

With so much surface area of modern houses dedicated to windows, having control over energy efficiency and privacy is an absolute must. Plantation shutters are the most energy-efficient window treatments available, and can even be installed on those aforementioned sliding glass doors and transom windows. For full-wall windows, shutters offer even more freedom in window coverage since you can open and shut individual sets of louvers, rather than having to pull a whole drapery over your window.

With so much surface area of modern houses dedicated to windows, having control over energy efficiency and privacy is an absolute must. Plantation shutters are the most energy-efficient window treatments available, and can even be installed on those aforementioned sliding glass doors and transom windows. For full-wall windows, shutters offer even more freedom in window coverage since you can open and shut individual sets of louvers, rather than having to pull a whole drapery over your window.

With so much surface area of modern houses dedicated to windows, having control over energy efficiency and privacy is an absolute must. Plantation shutters are the most energy-efficient window treatments available, and can even be installed on those aforementioned sliding glass doors and transom windows. For full-wall windows, shutters offer even more freedom in window coverage since you can open and shut individual sets of louvers, rather than having to pull a whole drapery over your window.