MTI free-standing bathtub.
Example of a beach style master mosaic tile and white tile freestanding bathtub design in Boston with blue walls

Elegant bedroom photo in Dallas

This mudroom has enough storage space for the whole family.
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional ceramic tile and gray floor mudroom remodel in Salt Lake City with white walls

  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

Photo of a mediterranean backyard gravel landscaping in Los Angeles.

Patrick Barta
Example of a trendy concrete floor bedroom design in Seattle

Photo: Lucy Call © 2013 Houzz Design: Imbue Design and Sausage Space
Minimalist dark wood floor bedroom photo in Salt Lake City with white walls and a standard fireplace

This gorgeous barndominium boasts 10′ first floor ceilings and 9′ second floor. You will enter the house from the covered porch which opens to an expansive vaulted living space. The standard plan is a one story full vaulted ceiling throughout but the optional plan has a private master suite on the second floor with a balcony open to below. A unique Home Internet Cafe’ is just inside the front door and opens onto the front lounging porch. This 3 bedroom 2 1/2- 3 bath barndominium can fit nicely in any surrounding. It can be classy, elegant or country. Choose your style from any of our three barndo choices. (This plan is on the board and under design now)

Inspiration for a timeless galley medium tone wood floor utility room remodel in Kansas City with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, gray walls and a side-by-side washer/dryer

Alex Lucaci
Bedroom - large transitional master medium tone wood floor and brown floor bedroom idea in New York with gray walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Freestanding bathtub - large transitional master white tile and marble tile white floor and marble floor freestanding bathtub idea in Detroit with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, gray walls, an undermount sink, white countertops, a two-piece toilet, marble countertops and a hinged shower door

Wade Blissard
Example of a large transitional master gray tile and stone tile marble floor and gray floor freestanding bathtub design in Austin with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, marble countertops, gray walls and a hinged shower door

Example of an eclectic dark wood floor bedroom design in Los Angeles with white walls

Inspiration for a large coastal gray floor bedroom remodel with blue walls

Chipper Hatter Photography
Freestanding bathtub - mid-sized contemporary master white tile and porcelain tile cement tile floor and black floor freestanding bathtub idea in San Diego with flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops and white countertops

The back wall of this gorgeous and sexy bedroom was custom designed.The rectangular wall upholstery was done in a beautiful taupe metallic fabric contrasted by an ebony wood built inn with custom built in storage for books and accessories. On each side the mirrored night stands add glamour and sparkle to the room. The mother of pearl inlayed chandelier and matching pendants give off a warm and glowing light to this glamorous Master Bedroom.

Photography by Anthony Crisafulli
Patio - small eclectic backyard brick patio idea in New York

Casey Fry
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary single-wall dark wood floor open concept kitchen remodel in Austin with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, white backsplash and an island

Photographer: Dan Piassick
Dressing room - large contemporary men's ceramic tile dressing room idea in Dallas with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets and beige walls