A 1927 colonial home in Shaker Heights, Ohio, received a breathtaking renovation that required extensive work, transforming it from a tucked away, utilitarian space, to an all-purpose gathering room, a role that most kitchens embrace in a home today. The scope of work changed over the course of the project, starting more minimalistically and then quickly becoming the main focus of the house's remodeling, resulting in a staircase being relocated and walls being torn down to create an inviting focal point to the home where family and friends could connect. The focus of the functionality was to allow for multiple prep areas with the inclusion of two islands and sinks, two eating areas (one for impromptu snacking and small meals of younger family members and friends on island no. two and a built-in bench seat for everyday meals in the immediate family). The kitchen was equipped with all Subzero and Wolf appliances, including a 48" range top with a 12" griddle, two double ovens, a 42" built-in side by side refrigerator and freezer, a microwave drawer on island no. one and a beverage center and icemaker in island no. two. The aesthetic feeling embraces the architectural feel of the home while adding a modern sensibility with the revamped layout and graphic elements that tie the color palette of whites, chocolate and charcoal. The cabinets were custom made and outfitted with beaded inset doors with a Shaker panel frame and finished in Benjamin Moore's OC-17 White Dove, a soft white that allowed for the kitchen to feel warm while still maintaining its brightness. Accents of walnut were added to create a sense of warmth, including a custom premium grade walnut countertop on island no. one from Brooks Custom and a TV cabinet with a doggie feeding station beneath. Bringing the cabinet line to the 8'6" ceiling height helps the room feel taller and bold light fixtures at the islands and eating area add detail to an otherwise simpler ceiling detail. The 1 1/4" countertops feature Calacatta Gold Marble with an ogee edge detail. Special touches on the interiors include secret storage panels, an appliance garage, breadbox, pull-out drawers behind the cabinet doors and all soft-close hinges and drawer glides. A kneading area was made as a part of island no. one for the homeowners' love of baking, complete with a stone top allowing for dough to stay cool. Baskets beneath store kitchen essentials that need air circulation. The room adjacent to the kitchen was converted to a hearth room (from a formal dining room) to extend the kitchen's living space and allow for a natural spillover for family and guests to spill into. Jason Miller, Pixelate

Second floor laundry room has two tones of cabinet. The lower cabinets match the washer and dryer. Photography by Spacecrafting
Large transitional l-shaped ceramic tile dedicated laundry room photo in Minneapolis with a drop-in sink, recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, laminate countertops, gray walls and a side-by-side washer/dryer

Fine Art crystal antique gold wall sconces function as lighting, as well as wall art, while allowing the Emarador Dark marble-top nightstands ample space for sundries. The furniture was custom created for this client and was built in Los Angeles from our own design and drawings. The finishing touches are the accents of gold leaf and gorgeous dark finishes. Design Connection, Inc. is the proud recipient the Heartland Design Award for ASID (American Society for Interior Designers) GOLD Award for this beautiful project. Design Connection, Inc. Kansas City Interior Designer provided: Space planning, custom furniture and design, custom bedding, carpet, faux painting and lighting and accessories. Visit our website to see more of our projects: https://www.designconnectioninc.com/

The kitchen at Southlake Manor underwent a full transformation, drawing inspiration from the charm of the South of France while incorporating the Denningtons' personal tastes. A major design feature is the stunning barrelled ceiling, which adds a sense of grandeur and architectural interest. This beautiful ceiling design enhances the space by creating visual height, drawing the eye upward and contributing to the kitchen’s airy and open feel. The Denningtons’ love for the color blue is woven throughout the kitchen, with custom accents in a rich, deep shade that adds warmth and personality to the space. The cabinetry features a mix of finishes that complement the color palette, creating a balanced, sophisticated look. At the heart of the kitchen sits a custom, round island—a standout piece designed to be both functional and visually striking. The island, with its unique shape and built-in drawers, provides ample storage while maintaining a sleek, clean aesthetic. It’s an ideal gathering spot for the family and offers a beautiful contrast to the surrounding cabinetry. The layers of texture throughout the kitchen—from the smooth cabinetry finishes to the intricate details of the island and the natural warmth of the new barrelled ceiling—add depth and dimension. Every element is carefully crafted to elevate the design to the next level, blending style with practicality in a way that reflects the Denningtons' love for sophisticated, yet welcoming spaces.

The homeowner of this old, detached garage wanted to create a functional living space with a kitchen, bathroom and second-story bedroom, while still maintaining a functional garage space. We salvaged hickory wood for the floors and built custom fir cabinets in the kitchen with patchwork tile backsplash and energy efficient appliances. As a historical home but without historical requirements, we had fun blending era-specific elements like traditional wood windows, French doors, and wood garage doors with modern elements like solar panels on the roof and accent lighting in the stair risers. In preparation for the next phase of construction (a full kitchen remodel and addition to the main house), we connected the plumbing between the main house and carriage house to make the project more cost-effective. We also built a new gate with custom stonework to match the trellis, expanded the patio between the main house and garage, and installed a gas fire pit to seamlessly tie the structures together and provide a year-round outdoor living space.

The Imperial floor plan was a custom created floor plan to incorporate an open floor plan that would be great for entertaining. This home was constructed as the model home for the community of Prairie Pass in Apison. The home quickly became a community favorite, and several homes were custom built with similar designs, but yet still maintain the custom feel for the client. Connie McCoy

The simple use of black and white…classic, timeless, elegant. No better words could describe the renovation of this kitchen, dining room and seating area. First, an amazing wall of custom cabinets was installed. The home’s 10’ ceilings provided a nice opportunity to stack up decorative glass cabinetry and highly crafted crown moldings on top, while maintaining a considerable amount of cabinetry just below it. The custom-made brush stroke finished cabinetry is highlighted by a chimney-style wood hood surround with leaded glass cabinets. Custom display cabinets with leaded glass also separate the kitchen from the dining room. Next, the homeowner installed a 5’ x 14’ island finished in black. It houses the main sink with a pedal style control disposal, dishwasher, microwave, second bar sink, beverage center refrigerator and still has room to sit five to six people. The hardwood floor in the kitchen and family room matches the rest of the house. The homeowner wanted to use a very selective white quartzite stone for counters and backsplash to add to the brightness of their kitchen. Contemporary chandeliers over the island are timeless and elegant. High end appliances covered by custom panels are part of this featured project, both to satisfy the owner’s needs and to implement the classic look desired for this kitchen. Beautiful dining and living areas surround this kitchen. All done in a contemporary style to create a seamless design and feel the owner had in mind.

Smith & Noble's custom Solar Shades are ideal for filtering out harsh sunlight while still maintaining your view. Shown here are Motorized Solar Shades in material Lush/Vanilla (material# 17278) . Also shown are Classic Wave Fold Drapery in fabric Shatter/Stone (material# 17776) set on Metro Track Flat Aluminum Rod Set traversing hardware with Stormy Taupe finish (material# 16611). Visit smithandnoble.com to order free samples.

Property Marketed by Hudson Place Realty - Simply stunning designer duplex in Hoboken’s landmark GREEN /LEED GOLD certified building. With over 3100 sq. ft of interior space & 600 sq. ft. of private outdoor space this Architectural Digest worthy property offers 3 bedrooms, 4 full baths, separate dining room, dedicated media room & separate office. Completely customized with a dramatic floating concrete & glass staircase, Features floor to ceiling windows, a 1st level, professionally maintained, Ipe’ wood deck complete with trees, water & lighting, ELAN whole-home audio/lighting control and touch-pads in all rooms, separate audio/video closet with full rack system. a sleek Italian Valcucine kitchen, SubZero refrigerator, integrated Miele dishwasher, Viking 6 burner range with fully vented hood, Viking wine cooler & tempered glass counters. 2 Master suites with walk in closets & spa baths featuring imported Zen soaking tubs, separate showers, linen closet, Duravit double sinks & Lightolier sconces, Hunter Douglas window treatments, bamboo floors, and custom closets throughout. Concrete sub floors and Quiet Rock insulation for soundproofing. Planted green living roof with residents area featuring fabulous NYC & Hudson views, filtered fresh air system, & bike storage room. Absolutely ideal location, bordered on the western side by the newly established Garden Street Mews pedestrian area.

Featured with rain glass, this Liberty Door unit is a spectacular entrance. The double doors with transom provide an abundance of light, while the textured glass maintains the family's privacy.

Set within a serene natural landscape and abutting the scenic Campbell's Scottish Highlands Golf Course, this striking custom modern home by RWH Architect blends contemporary architecture, functional living, and site-sensitive design into a residence that feels both dramatic and welcoming. Inspired by Scandinavian architectural principles and modern New England design, the home was carefully crafted to balance bold geometric forms with warm natural materials, creating a timeless luxury residence deeply connected to its surroundings. Expansive views overlooking the rolling fairways and natural landscape of the golf course further reinforce the home’s strong relationship to the site. One of the primary design challenges of the project was fitting the home between two existing houses while maintaining a high level of privacy for both interior and exterior living spaces, while also maximizing expansive views of the course. Rather than allowing the surrounding structures to limit the design, RWH Architect carefully positioned and shaped the residence to create a sense of separation, openness, and visual connection where appropriate. Through thoughtful massing and strategic orientation, the home is able to open toward the golf course while shielding key living areas from neighboring properties, resulting in a balance of privacy, light, and uninterrupted views. The architectural composition is defined by two soaring gabled structures connected through a recessed central entry, establishing a bold visual identity while maintaining clean, minimalist lines. A significant challenge in the design process was balancing the large-scale modern forms with a sense of warmth and livability. Through the use of natural wood accents, expansive glazing, and carefully proportioned massing, the home achieves a refined balance between contemporary minimalism and inviting residential comfort. Dark exterior cladding contrasts beautifully against warm materials and the surrounding landscape, allowing the structure to feel sophisticated without appearing cold or overpowering. Another critical design challenge involved maximizing natural light while preserving energy efficiency and maintaining privacy throughout the home. RWH Architect carefully oriented the structure and strategically positioned the expansive floor-to-ceiling windows to capture sweeping golf course and landscape views while maintaining the comfort and privacy of the interior spaces. The result is a home filled with natural light that maintains a strong connection to the outdoors while still providing private, comfortable living environments. Inside, the thoughtfully designed floor plan prioritizes openness, comfort, and flexibility for modern living. The residence was intentionally organized into two distinct architectural zones: a private wing dedicated to the bedrooms and personal retreats, and a public living wing centered around the kitchen, dining, and gathering spaces. This separation creates a natural balance between entertaining and privacy, allowing the home to function seamlessly for both intimate daily living and larger social gatherings. The main living level centers around an expansive open-concept kitchen, dining area, and great room designed to function as the social heart of the home. One challenge within the interior layout was creating a highly open floor plan while still maintaining distinct functional zones and practical circulation. Through careful spatial planning, ceiling volume transitions, and strategic room positioning, the design creates separation without sacrificing openness. Large windows and direct access to the rear outdoor living spaces further reinforce the seamless indoor-outdoor connection, allowing the living spaces to fully embrace the surrounding views of the course and the natural landscape beyond. Rather than existing on a single flat plane, the residence was thoughtfully designed across multiple levels that respond directly to the site’s natural topography. As occupants move through the home, subtle level changes and transitional stair sequences create a dynamic spatial experience that guides movement between the public and private zones of the residence. This layered circulation approach enhances the architectural character of the interior while creating moments of progression, discovery, and connection between spaces. The result is a home that feels immersive and expansive, where movement throughout the residence becomes part of the overall architectural experience itself. The first floor also incorporates flexible private accommodations, including a guest suite with ensuite bathroom and additional secondary bedrooms positioned to create privacy away from the primary gathering spaces. This approach allows the residence to comfortably support multigenerational living, guests, and evolving family needs over time. On the upper level, the luxurious primary suite serves as a private sanctuary complete with dual walk-in closets, a spacious spa-inspired bathroom, and access to a private balcony overlooking the property and adjacent golf course. Dedicated office spaces were intentionally integrated into the design to address the growing demand for functional remote work environments without compromising the home’s residential character. A centrally located laundry room further improves day-to-day convenience and efficiency. Vaulted ceilings, oversized glazing, and carefully framed sightlines enhance the sense of openness and light throughout the upper level. Throughout the home, minimalist detailing and carefully selected materials reinforce the project’s modern architectural identity while preserving warmth and livability. The interplay of sharp rooflines, expansive glass, natural textures, and integrated landscaping creates a residence that feels sculptural from every angle while remaining exceptionally functional for everyday life. This custom luxury residence exemplifies RWH Architect’s expertise in contemporary residential architecture, innovative problem solving, and personalized home design. By transforming complex site conditions and modern living demands into opportunities for architectural creativity, the project delivers a sophisticated home that is visually striking, highly functional, and thoughtfully connected to its environment for generations to come.

Georgia Coast Design & Construction - Southern Living Custom Builder Showcase Home at St. Simons Island, GA Built on a one-acre, lakefront lot on the north end of St. Simons Island, the Southern Living Custom Builder Showcase Home is characterized as Old World European featuring exterior finishes of Mosstown brick and Old World stucco, Weathered Wood colored designer shingles, cypress beam accents and a handcrafted Mahogany door. Inside the three-bedroom, 2,400-square-foot showcase home, Old World rustic and modern European style blend with high craftsmanship to create a sense of timeless quality, stability, and tranquility. Behind the scenes, energy efficient technologies combine with low maintenance materials to create a home that is economical to maintain for years to come. The home's open floor plan offers a dining room/kitchen/great room combination with an easy flow for entertaining or family interaction. The interior features arched doorways, textured walls and distressed hickory floors.

Farmhouse gray floor, double-sink and shiplap wall bathroom photo in Minneapolis with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, gray walls, an undermount sink, gray countertops and a built-in vanity

This 3300 sq. ft. Park Avenue apartment was gut renovated and re-designed for a young couple with three young children, originally a classic pre-war, the goal was to create an open, loft-like, elegant, modernist kid-friendly apartment. The work included custom millwork, interior furniture, finishes, lighting and artwork. The emphasis was on a sophisticated color palette with modern lighting, luxurious fabrics and elegant furniture while maintaining a feeling of “home”. To accommodate the needs for a common area for the family to gather the kitchen, breakfast room, and playroom are open to each other for a spacious casual-living area for the entire family. The Dining Room offers an intimate setting for entertaining formal dinner parties with soft lighting and sensuous materials and textiles while the custom French-polished macassar ebony millwork adds a touch of drama to the space. The Living Room/Den is connected by a partial dividing wall and can be separated by scaled full-height sliding glass doors.

Banquette: Design and custom fabricated by Marie Burgos Design The dining area is made to entertain, connect, and impress, all while playing a dual role of intimacy and theatrics. Sitting under dramatic lighting, a custom leather banquette makes its home in the room, where sculptural furniture lends an air of quiet drama. There is room here for rich textures and layered materials-they never become the problem of overuse-as curated objects and living greenery maintain a lively air in this refined milieu. Art here is not accessory—it’s integral to the dining experience, creating a backdrop of sophistication and personal narrative. Photography by Francis Augustine

This custom mudroom storage cabinet was designed to maximize vertical storage while maintaining a clean, architectural presence in the entryway. Built floor-to-ceiling, the cabinetry provides generous concealed storage for everyday household items while keeping the mudroom organized and clutter-free. The tall shaker doors create a strong vertical rhythm that draws the eye upward and helps the cabinetry feel integrated with the architecture of the home. Above the main cabinet doors, a row of upper storage compartments adds additional space for seasonal items, bags, and less frequently used belongings. This layered cabinet design allows the mudroom to function as both an organized storage area and a visually refined part of the home. Finished in a deep midnight paint color, the cabinetry adds warmth and contrast against the light walls and brick flooring. The color choice gives the mudroom a grounded, furniture-like feel while still maintaining a timeless look. Brushed brass hardware provides a subtle accent and introduces a touch of warmth that complements the cabinetry finish. Constructed in our Jacksonville workshop, the cabinets were designed specifically for the proportions of the space, allowing the installation to feel intentional and built-in rather than added later. Floor-to-ceiling panels and crown moulding complete the installation, tying the cabinetry seamlessly into the surrounding architecture. Custom mudroom cabinetry like this provides a durable, functional solution for busy households while elevating the entryway with thoughtful design and craftsmanship.

This custom mudroom storage cabinet was designed to maximize vertical storage while maintaining a clean, architectural presence in the entryway. Built floor-to-ceiling, the cabinetry provides generous concealed storage for everyday household items while keeping the mudroom organized and clutter-free. The tall shaker doors create a strong vertical rhythm that draws the eye upward and helps the cabinetry feel integrated with the architecture of the home. Above the main cabinet doors, a row of upper storage compartments adds additional space for seasonal items, bags, and less frequently used belongings. This layered cabinet design allows the mudroom to function as both an organized storage area and a visually refined part of the home. Finished in a deep midnight color, the cabinetry adds warmth and contrast against the light walls and brick flooring. The color choice gives the mudroom a grounded, furniture-like feel while still maintaining a timeless look. Brushed brass hardware provides a subtle accent and introduces a touch of warmth that complements the cabinetry finish. Constructed in our Jacksonville workshop, the cabinets were designed specifically for the proportions of the space, allowing the installation to feel intentional and built-in rather than added later. Floor-to-ceiling panels and crown moulding complete the installation, tying the cabinetry seamlessly into the surrounding architecture. Custom mudroom cabinetry like this provides a durable, functional solution for busy households while elevating the entryway with thoughtful design and craftsmanship.

This custom mudroom storage cabinet was designed to maximize vertical storage while maintaining a clean, architectural presence in the entryway. Built floor-to-ceiling, the cabinetry provides generous concealed storage for everyday household items while keeping the mudroom organized and clutter-free. The tall shaker doors create a strong vertical rhythm that draws the eye upward and helps the cabinetry feel integrated with the architecture of the home. Above the main cabinet doors, a row of upper storage compartments adds additional space for seasonal items, bags, and less frequently used belongings. This layered cabinet design allows the mudroom to function as both an organized storage area and a visually refined part of the home. Finished in a deep midnight paint color, the cabinetry adds warmth and contrast against the light walls and brick flooring. The color choice gives the mudroom a grounded, furniture-like feel while still maintaining a timeless look. Brushed brass hardware provides a subtle accent and introduces a touch of warmth that complements the cabinetry finish. Constructed in our Jacksonville workshop, the cabinets were designed specifically for the proportions of the space, allowing the installation to feel intentional and built-in rather than added later. Floor-to-ceiling panels and crown moulding complete the installation, tying the cabinetry seamlessly into the surrounding architecture. Custom mudroom cabinetry like this provides a durable, functional solution for busy households while elevating the entryway with thoughtful design and craftsmanship.

Luxury custom reef aquarium integrated directly into the shower and bathroom design of this contemporary oceanfront residence. The aquarium was designed to function as both a living reef ecosystem and an architectural focal point within the bathroom environment while maintaining clean integration with the surrounding millwork, lighting, and structural design of the space. Projects like this require detailed coordination between aquarium design, waterproofing systems, plumbing integration, lighting, ventilation, cabinetry, and long-term maintenance accessibility long before installation begins. The system includes remote life support and filtration equipment located separately from the display aquarium to reduce equipment visibility and maintain a clean modern presentation within the bathroom space. Custom aquarium design, fabrication coordination, installation, and ongoing maintenance by Aqua Creations. https://aquacustomfishtanks.com/featured-aquariums/bathroom-shower-aquarium/