Search results for "Major focus" in Home Design Ideas

This recent renovation project began with a desire to open up the kitchen to the family room. Today everyone seems to want the big island to live and entertain around, right?
I always recommend taking your time during the planning phase—6 weeks at least! Kitchens and bathrooms are highly functional areas, so you want to give yourself time to think thoughts like, “where am I going to put all my plastic cups?” I ask my clients lots of questions during this phase to help them design a kitchen that truly has a place for everything. Appliances and plumbing are part of this phase as well.
Once the cabinet design was finalized, the demo began! Because that troublesome wall was load bearing, so the GC, Miland Home Construction, had to install a beam to support the second floor. But once that was done, boy we had a lot of space to work with!
Picking your countertops is a little like picking an ice cream flavor: you really want to see all your options! Not only is function important here, but your counter material is really a major element of the kitchen, so pick one you love! This client fell in love with Taj Mahal Quartzite.
The backsplash was the next layer of fun. Now the mood of the kitchen becomes clear. Will it be elegant? Homey? Rustic? Picking the lighting then becomes like the fine tuner on a microscope, adjusting the view to its perfect clarity.
With construction underway, and the mood of the new space established, soft furnishings become the focus. Layering in luxurious, yet durable fabrics are the name of the game for most families. We all want beautiful spaces that can stand up to spouses, kids, and pets! It’s always a lot fun to select a deep and comfy sofa and chairs!
The finishing touches are what really give the project that designer look—so be sure to save room in the budget for art, window treatments, and accessories. In this home I wallpapered the wall behind the tv with a subtle grasscloth, selected a large abstract to center the room, and echoed its colors throughout the accessories. The result is eye-pleasing indeed: soft, textured, interesting and peaceful. This busy family was thrilled with the results.

Set on a narrow hillside lot overlooking the San Francisco Bay in Point Richmond, California, Bay Heirloom is a Mid-Century Modern family home restored, modernized and adapted for contemporary living. Oriented south-southwest toward the Marin Headlands, with views of the Golden Gate Bridge, the residence captures shifting Bay light throughout the day, from fog-muted mornings to vivid, glowing sunsets.
The home was built by Karlyn Neel’s grandfather, the owner of the construction company Flo-Crete, one of the Bay Area’s early concrete pumping firms. Flo-Crete completed the foundation and structural concrete work, with family photographs documenting the original cinderblock walls and pours. The firm also contributed to major regional infrastructure projects, including the Transbay BART tube and Candlestick Park, situating the house within a broader legacy of Bay Area construction. Growing up, Neel spent considerable time in the home, developing an early appreciation for mid-century modern principles. Instead of parting with this family heirloom, she purchased the home from her grandfather’s estate.
While her grandfather continued to live in the Point Richmond house, Neel purchased a Mid-Century Modern residence in Palm Desert. In contrast to the Bay Area’s cool temperatures, salt air, and persistent winds, the desert home is shaped by heat and sun and requires a different material response. A substantial renovation she led there emphasized thermal performance, filtered light, and restrained detailing. The experience later informed the restoration of her Bay Area family home.
What began as a modest Mid-Century Modern update expanded when decades of exposure to marine conditions revealed leaks and significant structural and seismic deficiencies. Neel was determined to honor her grandfather’s perseverance and without hesitation pivoted to a much more intensive project. Addressing these challenges required close coordination between Neel, Klopf Architecture and Kasten Builders, with architectural restraint and construction precision guiding each intervention. Rather than alter the home’s defining features, the project focused on reinforcing the structure from within. Discreet beams were embedded along the rear facade and in an upstairs wall, strengthening the building while maximizing the wall of glass facing the Bay and opening the wall between the kitchen and the living space. These structural interventions allowed the space to open fully to the Bay without visual interruption, with the kitchen repositioned as the social and functional core of an open, continuous living space. The building envelope was updated using weather- and corrosion-resistant materials appropriate to the marine environment.
The house unfolds vertically from the street, beginning with a modest garage level and workshop, with the main living spaces located below. Original slate flooring at the entry was preserved, along with select furnishings and artwork collected by Neel’s grandfather, anchoring the restored interior in its past. A restrained palette of black accents and pale, natural finishes replaces darker wood tones, reinforcing openness and calm. A naturally illuminated stair connects to the lowest level, where a former basement was transformed into a guest suite and family room opening onto a deck. From there, steps lead directly to a small concrete boat ramp at the water’s edge.
Throughout the project, decisions were guided by continuity rather than transformation for its own sake. Lessons drawn from both desert and coastal climates informed a material strategy rooted in performance and restraint. Bay Heirloom stands as a measured evolution of a family house, structurally renewed and carefully modernized, grounded in the discipline and care that first shaped it.
Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf, AIA, Angela Todorova and Fernanda Bernardes
Landscape Architect: Huettl Landscape Architecture
General Contractor: Kasten Builders
Photography: ©2025 Mariko Reed
Year Completed: 2022
Location: Point Richmond, CA

This recent renovation project began with a desire to open up the kitchen to the family room. Today everyone seems to want the big island to live and entertain around, right?
I always recommend taking your time during the planning phase—6 weeks at least! Kitchens and bathrooms are highly functional areas, so you want to give yourself time to think thoughts like, “where am I going to put all my plastic cups?” I ask my clients lots of questions during this phase to help them design a kitchen that truly has a place for everything. Appliances and plumbing are part of this phase as well.
Once the cabinet design was finalized, the demo began! Because that troublesome wall was load bearing, so the GC, Miland Home Construction, had to install a beam to support the second floor. But once that was done, boy we had a lot of space to work with!
Picking your countertops is a little like picking an ice cream flavor: you really want to see all your options! Not only is function important here, but your counter material is really a major element of the kitchen, so pick one you love! This client fell in love with Taj Mahal Quartzite.
The backsplash was the next layer of fun. Now the mood of the kitchen becomes clear. Will it be elegant? Homey? Rustic? Picking the lighting then becomes like the fine tuner on a microscope, adjusting the view to its perfect clarity.
With construction underway, and the mood of the new space established, soft furnishings become the focus. Layering in luxurious, yet durable fabrics are the name of the game for most families. We all want beautiful spaces that can stand up to spouses, kids, and pets! It’s always a lot fun to select a deep and comfy sofa and chairs!
The finishing touches are what really give the project that designer look—so be sure to save room in the budget for art, window treatments, and accessories. In this home I wallpapered the wall behind the tv with a subtle grasscloth, selected a large abstract to center the room, and echoed its colors throughout the accessories. The result is eye-pleasing indeed: soft, textured, interesting and peaceful. This busy family was thrilled with the results.
Find the right local pro for your project

Cayenne
We are a customer-driven company, focused on increasing our sales and market share. We differ from our competition by our products, presentation, and service while continuing to support our reputation for value and selection. Quickly put…to make Century Tile “simply the best."
Century Tile’s eleven locations and commitment to Chicago for over 65 years; First Quality Flooring, Value Pricing, Best In-stock Selection and Knowledgeable Staff.
We also have the Midwest’s largest in-stock selection of flooring.
We carry over 10,000 styles and colors of floor coverings which we import direct; as well as carry many of the major flooring brands domestically offered.
Century Tile’s size and buying power allows us to offer you the best selection of products at the lowest price and best value in Chicago that you can take home today.
Century Tile offers you Chicago’s most knowledgeable people who have an average of 12 years flooring experience. Our sales staff will assist you with any flooring project that you might have.

Armstrong
We are a customer-driven company, focused on increasing our sales and market share. We differ from our competition by our products, presentation, and service while continuing to support our reputation for value and selection. Quickly put…to make Century Tile “simply the best."
Century Tile’s eleven locations and commitment to Chicago for over 65 years; First Quality Flooring, Value Pricing, Best In-stock Selection and Knowledgeable Staff.
We also have the Midwest’s largest in-stock selection of flooring.
We carry over 10,000 styles and colors of floor coverings which we import direct; as well as carry many of the major flooring brands domestically offered.
Century Tile’s size and buying power allows us to offer you the best selection of products at the lowest price and best value in Chicago that you can take home today.
Century Tile offers you Chicago’s most knowledgeable people who have an average of 12 years flooring experience. Our sales staff will assist you with any flooring project that you might have.

We are a customer-driven company, focused on increasing our sales and market share. We differ from our competition by our products, presentation, and service while continuing to support our reputation for value and selection. Quickly put…to make Century Tile “simply the best."
Century Tile’s eleven locations and commitment to Chicago for over 65 years; First Quality Flooring, Value Pricing, Best In-stock Selection and Knowledgeable Staff.
We also have the Midwest’s largest in-stock selection of flooring.
We carry over 10,000 styles and colors of floor coverings which we import direct; as well as carry many of the major flooring brands domestically offered.
Century Tile’s size and buying power allows us to offer you the best selection of products at the lowest price and best value in Chicago that you can take home today.
Century Tile offers you Chicago’s most knowledgeable people who have an average of 12 years flooring experience. Our sales staff will assist you with any flooring project that you might have.

This TVL project focused primarily on a gut of this home's only bathroom and included a facelift in the kitchen as well. This lovely Denver home features a very tiny bathroom with mostly original features. Our client requested a makeover to the bathroom that would improve function & health as well as push the bright white minimalism she loves so much throughout her home. Respecting both budget and timeline, we worked to create a highly functional space with nods toward European bathroom design. We increased space between the toilet and vanity while also increasing storage by integrating a vanity with drawers rather than a pedestal sink. We utilized high gloss white tile on the floors to help expand light and replaced all major plumbing fixtures for a fresh look. The bathroom now features a much deeper alcove tub, elongated white subway tiles on the walls, shiny chrome faucet fixtures, and a new vanity light. In the kitchen, new white shaker cabinets were installed and paired with a simple white subway tile backsplash. White quartz countertops and new hardwood floors were also added. We love the clean, bright, simple nature of every space in this house and are so happy our wonderful client can enjoy these for years to come!

Carnivalle Laminate Flooring
We are a customer-driven company, focused on increasing our sales and market share. We differ from our competition by our products, presentation, and service while continuing to support our reputation for value and selection. Quickly put…to make Century Tile “simply the best."
Century Tile’s eleven locations and commitment to Chicago for over 65 years; First Quality Flooring, Value Pricing, Best In-stock Selection and Knowledgeable Staff.
We also have the Midwest’s largest in-stock selection of flooring.
We carry over 10,000 styles and colors of floor coverings which we import direct; as well as carry many of the major flooring brands domestically offered.
Century Tile’s size and buying power allows us to offer you the best selection of products at the lowest price and best value in Chicago that you can take home today.
Century Tile offers you Chicago’s most knowledgeable people who have an average of 12 years flooring experience. Our sales staff will assist you with any flooring project that you might have.

We had the opportunity to come alongside this homeowner and demo an old cottage and rebuild this new year-round home for them. We worked hard to keep an authentic feel to the lake and fit the home nicely to the space.
We focused on a small footprint and, through specific design choices, achieved a layout the homeowner loved. A major goal was to have the kitchen, dining, and living all walk out at the lake level. We also managed to sneak a master suite into this level (check out that ceiling!).

Shapiro & Company was pleased to be asked to design the 2019 Vesta Home for Johnny Williams. The Vesta Home is the most popular show home in the Memphis area and attracted more than 40,000 visitors. The home was designed in a similar fashion to a custom home where we design to accommodate the family that might live here. As with many properties that are 1/3 of an acre, homes are in fairly close proximity and therefore this house was designed to focus the majority of the views into a private courtyard with a pool as its accent. The home’s style was derived from English Cottage traditions that were transformed for modern taste.
Interior Designers:
Garrick Ealy - Conrad Designs
Kim Williams - KSW Interiors
Landscaper:
Bud Gurley - Gurley’s Azalea Garden
Photographer:
Carroll Hoselton - Memphis Media Company

DT_CoastalKeystones_COM_02
Coastal Keystones
Photo features Treasure Island Block Random mosaic on the wall with Treasure Island 1 x 1 mosaic on the floor.
We are a customer driven company, focused on increasing our sales and market share. We differ from our competition by our products, presentation, and service while continuing to support our reputation for value and selection. Quickly put…to make Century Tile “simply the best."
Century Tile’s eleven locations and commitment to Chicago for over 65 years; First Quality Flooring, Value Pricing, Best In-stock Selection and Knowledgeable Staff.
We also have the Midwest’s largest in-stock selection of flooring.
We carry over 10,000 styles and colors of floor coverings which we import direct; as well as carry many of the major flooring brands domestically offered.
Century Tile’s size and buying power allows us to offer you the best selection of products at the lowest price and best value in Chicago that you can take home today.
Century Tile offers you Chicago’s most knowledgeable people who have an average of 12 years flooring experience. Our sales staff will assist you with any flooring project that you might have.

As the “nest” began to empty and her available time to maintain the home lessened, Ursula realized that it was time to sell.
The 1996 home still had the original kitchen and baths, and was in need of general repair and new flooring. The HVAC system, water heater, and washer and dryer had been replaced as they aged, but the kitchen appliances, exterior, windows, and roof needed replacing. Jeff wanted to repair and update the home with quality materials and workmanship so that it would provide the most value to the new owners and sell as quickly as possible, so we got to work determining what the best use of the budget would be to accomplish this goal.
We focused on updating the major interior design elements that would provide the most enjoyment, durability, and energy efficiency for the new homeowners as well as meticulously replaced worn exterior components with tasteful color palette selections.
We repaired and refinished all of the kitchen cabinets and added granite counter tops and a stainless steel sink. All of the Kitchen appliances were replaced with new energy efficient stainless models.
All bathroom cabinetry was repaired and refinished, all of the faucets and shower trims were replaced, and all of the toilets with EPA WaterSense rated low-flow toilets. The master bathroom shower glass was replaced with updated semi-frameless glass.
All of the hardwood flooring was refinished as well as general repair on the walls and new paint throughout.
The end result was bright, open, and comfortable updated home ready for its new occupants.
Design Features
Durable and nicely renovated cabinetry.
Granite Kitchen counter tops.
Stainless Kitchen appliances.
Stainless Kitchen sink and brushed nickel faucets.
Brushed Nickel cabinetry and door hardware.
Low-flow EPA WaterSense rated toilets.
Refinished natural oak hardwood flooring.
New carpet.
New architectural roof shingles.
Replaced window sashes.
Complete exterior repair and painting.
Light and bright No-VOC paints and finishes.
Energy Efficient and Green Features
Energy efficient EPA Energy Star appliances.
EPA WaterSense rated low-flow toilets.
Durable No-VOC cabinetry.
Low-flow faucets.
Energy efficient LED lighting throughout.
No-VOC paints and finishes.

This is a major renovation of a character home, in the Shaughnessy neighbourhood of Vancouver, BC. It is a landmark building with historical significance. We focused on appropriate design detailing to suit the era of the home while incorporating modern comforts and features.

These homeowners reside on a lake with a lot of activity.
Alongside the majority being treated with a window film to focus on UV and heat protection, they decided to have the bedroom of their home treated with a privacy film.
This film allows for these homeowners to still look out upon their beautiful view, but limits the ability for others too look in.

Set on a narrow hillside lot overlooking the San Francisco Bay in Point Richmond, California, Bay Heirloom is a Mid-Century Modern family home restored, modernized and adapted for contemporary living. Oriented south-southwest toward the Marin Headlands, with views of the Golden Gate Bridge, the residence captures shifting Bay light throughout the day, from fog-muted mornings to vivid, glowing sunsets.
The home was built by Karlyn Neel’s grandfather, the owner of the construction company Flo-Crete, one of the Bay Area’s early concrete pumping firms. Flo-Crete completed the foundation and structural concrete work, with family photographs documenting the original cinderblock walls and pours. The firm also contributed to major regional infrastructure projects, including the Transbay BART tube and Candlestick Park, situating the house within a broader legacy of Bay Area construction. Growing up, Neel spent considerable time in the home, developing an early appreciation for mid-century modern principles. Instead of parting with this family heirloom, she purchased the home from her grandfather’s estate.
While her grandfather continued to live in the Point Richmond house, Neel purchased a Mid-Century Modern residence in Palm Desert. In contrast to the Bay Area’s cool temperatures, salt air, and persistent winds, the desert home is shaped by heat and sun and requires a different material response. A substantial renovation she led there emphasized thermal performance, filtered light, and restrained detailing. The experience later informed the restoration of her Bay Area family home.
What began as a modest Mid-Century Modern update expanded when decades of exposure to marine conditions revealed leaks and significant structural and seismic deficiencies. Neel was determined to honor her grandfather’s perseverance and without hesitation pivoted to a much more intensive project. Addressing these challenges required close coordination between Neel, Klopf Architecture and Kasten Builders, with architectural restraint and construction precision guiding each intervention. Rather than alter the home’s defining features, the project focused on reinforcing the structure from within. Discreet beams were embedded along the rear facade and in an upstairs wall, strengthening the building while maximizing the wall of glass facing the Bay and opening the wall between the kitchen and the living space. These structural interventions allowed the space to open fully to the Bay without visual interruption, with the kitchen repositioned as the social and functional core of an open, continuous living space. The building envelope was updated using weather- and corrosion-resistant materials appropriate to the marine environment.
The house unfolds vertically from the street, beginning with a modest garage level and workshop, with the main living spaces located below. Original slate flooring at the entry was preserved, along with select furnishings and artwork collected by Neel’s grandfather, anchoring the restored interior in its past. A restrained palette of black accents and pale, natural finishes replaces darker wood tones, reinforcing openness and calm. A naturally illuminated stair connects to the lowest level, where a former basement was transformed into a guest suite and family room opening onto a deck. From there, steps lead directly to a small concrete boat ramp at the water’s edge.
Throughout the project, decisions were guided by continuity rather than transformation for its own sake. Lessons drawn from both desert and coastal climates informed a material strategy rooted in performance and restraint. Bay Heirloom stands as a measured evolution of a family house, structurally renewed and carefully modernized, grounded in the discipline and care that first shaped it.
Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf, AIA, Angela Todorova and Fernanda Bernardes
Landscape Architect: Huettl Landscape Architecture
General Contractor: Kasten Builders
Photography: ©2025 Mariko Reed
Year Completed: 2022
Location: Point Richmond, CA

We are a customer-driven company, focused on increasing our sales and market share. We differ from our competition by our products, presentation, and service while continuing to support our reputation for value and selection. Quickly put…to make Century Tile “simply the best."
Century Tile’s eleven locations and commitment to Chicago for over 65 years; First Quality Flooring, Value Pricing, Best In-stock Selection and Knowledgeable Staff.
We also have the Midwest’s largest in-stock selection of flooring.
We carry over 10,000 styles and colors of floor coverings which we import direct; as well as carry many of the major flooring brands domestically offered.
Century Tile’s size and buying power allows us to offer you the best selection of products at the lowest price and best value in Chicago that you can take home today.
Century Tile offers you Chicago’s most knowledgeable people who have an average of 12 years flooring experience. Our sales staff will assist you with any flooring project that you might have.

Interior Designer: MOTIV Interiors LLC
Photographer: Sam Angel Photography
Design Challenge: This 8 year-old boy and girl were outgrowing their existing setup and needed to update their rooms with a plan that would carry them forward into middle school and beyond. In addition to gaining storage and study areas, could these twins show off their big personalities? Absolutely, we said! MOTIV Interiors tackled the rooms of these youngsters living in Nashville's 12th South Neighborhood and created an environment where the dynamic duo can learn, create, and grow together for years to come.
Design Solution:
In his room, we wanted to continue the feature wall fun, but with a different approach. Since our young explorer loves outer space, being a boy scout, and building with legos, we created a dynamic geometric wall that serves as the backdrop for our young hero’s control center. We started with a neutral mushroom color for the majority of the walls in the room, while our feature wall incorporated a deep indigo and sky blue that are as classic as your favorite pair of jeans. We focused on indoor air quality and used Sherwin Williams’ Duration paint in a satin sheen, which is a scrubbable/no-VOC coating.
We wanted to create a great reading corner, so we placed a comfortable denim lounge chair next to the window and made sure to feature a self-portrait created by our young client. For night time reading, we included a super-stellar floor lamp with white globes and a sleek satin nickel finish. Metal details are found throughout the space (such as the lounge chair base and nautical desk clock), and lend a utilitarian feel to the room. In order to balance the metal and keep the room from feeling too cold, we also snuck in woven baskets that work double-duty as decorative pieces and functional storage bins.
The large north-facing window got the royal treatment and was dressed with a relaxed roman shade in a shiitake linen blend. We added a fabulous fabric trim from F. Schumacher and echoed the look by using the same fabric for the bolster on the bed. Royal blue bedding brings a bit of color into the space, and is complimented by the rich chocolate wood tones seen in the furniture throughout. Additional storage was a must, so we brought in a glossy blue storage unit that can accommodate legos, encyclopedias, pinewood derby cars, and more!
Comfort and creativity converge in this space, and we were excited to get a big smile when we turned it over to its new commander.

DT_CityLights_RES_01
City Lights
Photo features South Beach 1/2 x 1/2 mosaic on the walls.
We are a customer driven company, focused on increasing our sales and market share. We differ from our competition by our products, presentation, and service while continuing to support our reputation for value and selection. Quickly put…to make Century Tile “simply the best."
Century Tile’s eleven locations and commitment to Chicago for over 65 years; First Quality Flooring, Value Pricing, Best In-stock Selection and Knowledgeable Staff.
We also have the Midwest’s largest in-stock selection of flooring.
We carry over 10,000 styles and colors of floor coverings which we import direct; as well as carry many of the major flooring brands domestically offered.
Century Tile’s size and buying power allows us to offer you the best selection of products at the lowest price and best value in Chicago that you can take home today.
Century Tile offers you Chicago’s most knowledgeable people who have an average of 12 years flooring experience. Our sales staff will assist you with any flooring project that you might have.

We are a customer driven company, focused on increasing our sales and market share. We differ from our competition by our products, presentation, and service while continuing to support our reputation for value and selection. Quickly put…to make Century Tile “simply the best."
Century Tile’s eleven locations and commitment to Chicago for over 65 years; First Quality Flooring, Value Pricing, Best In-stock Selection and Knowledgeable Staff.
We also have the Midwest’s largest in-stock selection of flooring.
We carry over 10,000 styles and colors of floor coverings which we import direct; as well as carry many of the major flooring brands domestically offered.
Century Tile’s size and buying power allows us to offer you the best selection of products at the lowest price and best value in Chicago that you can take home today.
Century Tile offers you Chicago’s most knowledgeable people who have an average of 12 years flooring experience. Our sales staff will assist you with any flooring project that you might have.

DT_ArdesiaSelect_COM_V
Ardesia Select
We are a customer-driven company, focused on increasing our sales and market share. We differ from our competition by our products, presentation, and service while continuing to support our reputation for value and selection. Quickly put…to make Century Tile “simply the best."
Century Tile’s eleven locations and commitment to Chicago for over 65 years; First Quality Flooring, Value Pricing, Best In-stock Selection and Knowledgeable Staff.
We also have the Midwest’s largest in-stock selection of flooring.
We carry over 10,000 styles and colors of floor coverings which we import direct; as well as carry many of the major flooring brands domestically offered.
Century Tile’s size and buying power allows us to offer you the best selection of products at the lowest price and best value in Chicago that you can take home today.
Century Tile offers you Chicago’s most knowledgeable people who have an average of 12 years flooring experience. Our sales staff will assist you with any flooring project that you might have.
34

