A unique dividing wall separates the Living Room from the Dining Room in this Mid-Century Modern home in Southern California. OCModHomes.com
Example of a mid-sized 1950s light wood floor great room design with gray walls

The fire pit awaits on a crisp October evening.
Patio - huge backyard stone patio idea in Chicago with a fire pit

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless backyard stone patio fountain remodel in Chicago

Abby Caroline Photography
Example of a mid-sized cottage master white tile and subway tile ceramic tile and black floor claw-foot bathtub design in Atlanta with an undermount sink, soapstone countertops, white walls, louvered cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets and a hinged shower door

Design ideas for a large traditional partial sun backyard stone landscaping in Chicago with a fire pit for summer.

A lovely yard that started as a long bowling alley of lawn. We wanted to create a more human scale in the lounge area without building too many visual barriers. The overall effect is contemporary, but it is met with hints of woodland to help maintain a relaxed atmosphere.

Jasmin landscape
This is an example of a modern landscaping in San Francisco.

Example of a trendy eat-in kitchen design in New York with marble countertops and an island

While this new home had an architecturally striking exterior, the home’s interior fell short in terms of true functionality and overall style. The most critical element in this renovation was the kitchen and dining area, which needed careful attention to bring it to the level that suited the home and the homeowners. As a graduate of Culinary Institute of America, our client wanted a kitchen that “feels like a restaurant, with the warmth of a home kitchen,” where guests can gather over great food, great wine, and truly feel comfortable in the open concept home. Although it follows a typical chef’s galley layout, the unique design solutions and unusual materials set it apart from the typical kitchen design. Polished countertops, laminated and stainless cabinets fronts, and professional appliances are complemented by the introduction of wood, glass, and blackened metal – materials introduced in the overall design of the house. Unique features include a wall clad in walnut for dangling heavy pots and utensils; a floating, sculptural walnut countertop piece housing an herb garden; an open pantry that serves as a coffee bar and wine station; and a hanging chalkboard that hides a water heater closet and features different coffee offerings available to guests. The dining area addition, enclosed by windows, continues to vivify the organic elements and brings in ample natural light, enhancing the darker finishes and creating additional warmth. Photography by Ira Montgomery

Landscape design by Jeff True and Josh Griffin
Inspiration for a large traditional partial sun backyard stone flower bed in Chicago for summer.

Before and after renovation of this Tudor-style home. Marvin’s Ultimate Double-Hung Insert Windows provide outstanding energy-efficiency and allowed removal of the aluminum storm panels to further transform the facade of the home.

John Granen
Dining room - modern light wood floor dining room idea

Bathroom - contemporary master porcelain tile bathroom idea in Phoenix

Deck - traditional rooftop rooftop deck idea in New York with no cover

Inspiration for a small farmhouse master white tile and mosaic tile marble floor freestanding bathtub remodel in Kansas City with open cabinets, white walls and a vessel sink

Pool fountain - large traditional backyard stone and rectangular pool fountain idea in Chicago

THE SETUP Client Background: Our clients, a couple who have transitioned into the empty nest phase, have cherished their home for over three decades without undergoing any significant renovations. With a newfound desire to adapt their living space to better suit their current lifestyle, they’ve embarked on a journey to reimagine their kitchen — the heart of their home. Their aspiration is to cultivate a serene, neutral-toned sanctuary on the first floor that seamlessly merges with their family room, ensuring a harmonious and inviting environment. Design Inspiration: The renovation is inspired by the couple’s penchant for soft, calming neutrals, using their cherished family room and the kitchen’s existing tile flooring as the cornerstone for the color scheme. This approach aims to foster a sense of warmth and tranquility throughout. Design Objectives: Harmonize the kitchen with the family room by adopting a soothing, neutral color scheme, ensuring a seamless flow across the first floor. Enhance kitchen functionality with thoughtfully designed cabinetry, providing a designated place for every item and maximizing storage efficiency. Cultivate an inviting and comfortable atmosphere that reflects the homeowners’ desire for a calm and relaxing space. Design Challenges: The homeowners wish to retain the existing kitchen tile flooring and integrate it into a refreshed, modern design. Accommodating a dining area spacious enough for family visits without compromising the kitchen’s open feel or functional layout. Despite liking the current placement of plumbing and appliances, the homeowners aspire for a more open floor plan to facilitate better movement and interaction. The need to amplify natural light in the kitchen, especially around the sink area, where existing lighting is insufficient. Preserving the half-wall between the kitchen and family room, a feature the homeowners want to keep, while ensuring it complements the new design. THE RENEWED SPACE Design Solutions: By choosing a neutral color palette that complements the existing tile, the design unifies the kitchen with the adjacent spaces. The tile’s grout was cleaned and restored, enhancing the floor’s appearance and integrating it seamlessly with the new kitchen aesthetic. The inclusion of a larger island with seating for two, alongside maintaining a substantial dining table, was achieved by optimizing the spatial layout. This allowed for a sociable yet functional kitchen, accommodating large family gatherings without feeling crowded. Minor adjustments to the kitchen’s layout maintained the preferred locations for plumbing and appliances while introducing an ‘open’ design concept. Strategic modifications, such as angling the pantry wall, improved the flow and accessibility within the space. Replacing the garden window with a broader, standard window significantly increased natural light, transforming the sink area into a bright, welcoming space with enhanced views of the outdoors. The decision to keep the half-wall was ingeniously leveraged to define the dining area while maintaining an open connection to the family room. This feature not only serves as a visual separator but also ties the two spaces together through the shared color scheme and design elements. The homeowners are thrilled with their newly remodeled kitchen, which has become a hub of warmth and hospitality. Hosting a wedding shower and a birthday party, they have shared their renewed space with friends and family, who have been equally enamored. This remodel has not only met their functional and aesthetic desires but has also enriched their home with a fresh sense of serenity and joy. The upstairs part of the home is shaping up nicely. Here’s their newly remodeled primary bathroom.

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2014 Houzz
Example of an eclectic beige tile drop-in bathtub design in New York with white walls and brown countertops