This project was such an incredible design opportunity, and instilled inspiration and excitement at every turn! Our amazing clients came to us with the challenge of converting their beloved family home into a welcoming haven for all members of the family. At the time that we met our clients, they were struggling with the difficult personal decision of the fate of the home. Their father/father-in-law had passed away and their mother/mother-in-law had recently been admitted into a nursing facility and was fighting Alzheimer’s. Resistant to loss of the home now that both parents were out of it, our clients purchased the home to keep in in the family. Despite their permanent home currently being in New Jersey, these clients dedicated themselves to keeping and revitalizing the house. We were moved by the story and became immediately passionate about bringing this dream to life. The home was built by the parents of our clients and was only ever owned by them, making this a truly special space to the family. Our goal was to revitalize the home and to bring new energy into every room without losing the special characteristics that were original to the home when it was built. In this way, we were able to develop a house that maintains its own unique personality while offering a space of welcoming neutrality for all members of the family to enjoy over time. The renovation touched every part of the home: the exterior, foyer, kitchen, living room, sun room, garage, six bedrooms, three bathrooms, the laundry room, and everything in between. The focus was to develop a style that carried consistently from space to space, but allowed for unique expression in the small details in every room. Starting at the entry, we renovated the front door and entry point to offer more presence and to bring more of the mid-century vibe to the home’s exterior. We integrated a new modern front door, cedar shingle accents, new exterior paint, and gorgeous contemporary house numbers that really allow the home to stand out. Just inside the entry, we renovated the foyer to create a playful entry point worthy of attention. Cement look tile adorns the foyer floor, and we’ve added new lighting and upgraded the entry coat storage. Upon entering the home, one will immediately be captivated by the stunning kitchen just off the entry. We transformed this space in just about every way. While the footprint of the home ultimately remained almost identical, the aesthetics were completely turned on their head. We re-worked the kitchen to maximize storage and to create an informal dining area that is great for casual hosting or morning coffee. We removed the entry to the garage that was once in the informal dining, and created a peninsula in its place that offers a unique division between the kitchen/informal dining and the formal dining and living areas. The simple light warm light gray cabinetry offers a bit of traditional elegance, along with the marble backsplash and quartz countertops. We extended the original wood flooring into the kitchen and stained all floors to match for a warmth that truly resonates through all spaces. We upgraded appliances, added lighting everywhere, and finished the space with some gorgeous mid century furniture pieces. In the formal dining and living room, we really focused on maintaining the original marble fireplace as a focal point. We cleaned the marble, repaired the mortar, and refinished the original fireplace screen to give a new sleek look in black. We then integrated a new gas insert for modern heating and painted the upper portion in a rich navy blue; an accent that is carried through the home consistently as a nod to our client’s love of the color. The former entry into the old covered porch is now an elegant glass door leading to a stunning finished sunroom. This room was completely upgraded as well. We wrapped the entire space in cozy white shiplap to keep a casual feel with brightness. We tiled the floor with large format concrete look tile, and painted the old brick fireplace a bright white. We installed a new gas burning unit, and integrated transitional style lighting to bring warmth and elegance into the space. The new black-frame windows are adorned with decorative shades that feature hand-sketched bird prints, and we’ve created a dedicated garden-ware “nook” for our client who loves to work in the yard. The far end of this space is completed with two oversized chaise loungers and overhead lights…the most perfect little reading nook! Just off the dining room, we created an entirely new space to the home: a mudroom. The clients lacked this space and desperately needed a landing spot upon entering the home from the garage. We uniquely planned existing space in the garage to utilize for this purpose, and were able to create a small but functional entry point without losing the ability to park cars in the garage. This new space features cement-look tile, gorgeous deep brown cabinetry, and plenty of storage for all the small items one might need to store while moving in and out of the home. The remainder of the upstairs level includes massive renovations to the guest hall bathroom and guest bedroom, upstairs master bed/bath suite, and a third bedroom that we converted into a home office for the client. Some of the largest transformations were made in the basement, where unfinished space and lack of light were converted into gloriously lit, cozy, finished spaces. Our first task was to convert the massive basement living room into the new master bedroom for our clients. We removed existing built-ins, created an entirely new walk-in closet, painted the old brick fireplace, installed a new gas unit, added carpet, introduced new lighting, replaced windows, and upgraded every part of the aesthetic appearance. One of the most incredible features of this space is the custom double sliding barn door made by a Denver artisan. This space is truly a retreat for our clients! We also completely transformed the laundry room, back storage room, basement master bathroom, and two bedrooms. This home’s massive scope and ever-evolving challenges were thrilling and exciting to work with, and the result is absolutely amazing. At the end of the day, this home offers a look and feel that the clients love. Above all, though, the clients feel the spirit of their family home and have a welcoming environment for all members of the family to enjoy for years to come.

Example of a transitional white tile white floor and double-sink alcove shower design in Columbus with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, white countertops and a built-in vanity

Bedroom - transitional bedroom idea in Louisville

Mid-sized eclectic white tile marble floor freestanding bathtub photo in Ottawa with white cabinets, a one-piece toilet and white walls

Set upon an oversized and highly sought-after creekside lot in Brentwood, this ​two story home and full guest home exude a casual, contemporary farmhouse style and vibe. The main residence boasts 5 bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms, each ensuite with thoughtful touches that accentuate the home’s overall classic finishes. The master retreat opens to a large balcony overlooking the yard accented by mature bamboo and palms. Other features of the main house include European white oak floors, recessed lighting, built in speaker system, attached 2-car garage and a laundry room with 2 sets of state-of-the-art Samsung washers and dryers. The bedroom suite on the first floor enjoys its own entrance, making it ideal for guests. The open concept kitchen features Calacatta marble countertops, Wolf appliances, wine storage, dual sinks and dishwashers and a walk-in butler’s pantry. The loggia is accessed via La Cantina bi-fold doors that fully open for year-round alfresco dining on the terrace, complete with an outdoor fireplace. The wonderfully imagined yard contains a sparkling pool and spa and a crisp green lawn and lovely deck and patio areas. Step down further to find the detached guest home, which was recognized with a Decade Honor Award by the Los Angeles Chapter of the AIA in 2006, and, in fact, was a frequent haunt of Frank Gehry who inspired its cubist design. The guest house has a bedroom and bathroom, living area, a newly updated kitchen and is surrounded by lush landscaping that maximizes its creekside setting, creating a truly serene oasis.

Open concept kitchen, living room, and dining room. Photo by Greg Hadley.
Open concept kitchen - mid-sized traditional l-shaped medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen idea in DC Metro with an undermount sink, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, beige backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional 3/4 white tile and subway tile ceramic tile and beige floor alcove bathtub remodel in New York with white cabinets, marble countertops, gray countertops, flat-panel cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls and an integrated sink

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern gender-neutral porcelain tile home design remodel in Dallas with glass-front cabinets and gray cabinets

“We could never have envisioned what could be” – Steiner Ranch Homeowner and Client It is an especially fulfilling Project for an Interior Designer when the outcome exceeds Client expectations, and imagination. This remodeling project required instilling modern sensibilities, openness, styles and textures into a dated house that was past its prime. Strategically, the goal was to tear down where it made sense without doing a complete teardown. Starting with the soul of the home, the kitchen, we expanded out room by room to create a cohesiveness and flow that invites, supports and provides the warmth and relaxation that only a home can. In the Kitchen, we started by removing the wooden beams and adding bright recessed lighting. We removed the old limestone accent wall and moved the sink and cooktop from the island on to the countertop – the key goal was to create room for the family to gather around the kitchen. We replaced all appliances with modern Energy Star ones, along with adding a wine rack. The first order of business for the Living Room was to brighten it up by adding more lighting and replacing an unused section with a glass door to the backyard. Multi-section windows were replaced with large no-split glass overlooking the backyard. Once more, the limestone accent was removed to create a clean, modern look. Replacing the dated wooden staircase with the clean lines of a metal, wire and wooded staircase added interest and freshness. An odd bend in the staircase was removed to clean things up. The Master Bedroom went from what looked like a motel room with green carpet and cheap blinds to an oasis of luxury and charm. A section of the wraparound doors were closed off to increase privacy, accentuate the best view from the bedroom and to add usable space. Artwork, rug, contemporary bed and other accent pieces brought together the seamless look across the home. The Master Bathroom remodel started by replacing the standard windows with a single glass pane that enhanced the view of the outdoors. The dated shower was replaced by a walk-in shower and soaking tub to create the ultimate at-home spa experience. Lighted LED mirrors frame His & Hers sinks and bathe them in a soft light. The flooring was upgraded throughout the house to reflect the contemporary color scheme. Each of the smaller bedrooms were similarly upgraded to match the clean and modern décor of the rest of the house. After such a transformation inside, it was only appropriate that the exterior needed an upgrade as well. All of the legacy limestone accents were replaced by stucco and the color scheme extended from the interior of the house to the gorgeous wrap around balconies, trim, garage doors etc. to complete the inside outside transformation.

Kitchen - contemporary medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen idea in Toronto with an undermount sink, gray cabinets, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Example of a transitional bedroom design in Louisville

Example of a small arts and crafts u-shaped ceramic tile enclosed kitchen design in Atlanta with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and green walls

Example of a transitional l-shaped light wood floor open concept kitchen design in Tampa with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, beige backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

This Pied-a Terre in the city was designed to be a comfortable haven for this client. She loves to cook and interact with her husband at the same time. The main walls of the kitchen were removed to incorporate the entire living space. Sleek high end appliances were utilized to minimize the look of the kitchen and enhance a furniture look. Sleek European Cabinetry extends into the living space to create a media center that doubles as a buffet for the terrace. The tall monolithic column conceals the built in coffee machine on the kitchen side. The tiered soffits define the kitchen space while functionally allowing for recessed lighting. The warm chocolate and sand colored palette allows the kitchen to integrate cohesively with the remainder of the apartment.

Sedona is home to people from around the world because of it's beautiful red rock mountain scenery, high desert climate, good weather and diverse community. Most residents have made a conscience choice to be here. Good buildable land is scarce so may people purchase older homes and update them in style and performance before moving in. The industry often calls these project "whole house remodels". This home was originally built in the 70's and is located in a prestigious neighborhood beautiful views that overlook mountains and City of Sedona. It was in need of a total makeover, inside and out. The exterior of the home was transformed by removing the outdated wood and brick cladding and replacing it stucco and stone. The roof was repaired to extend it life. Windows were replaced with an energy efficient wood clad system. Every room of the home was preplanned and remodeled to make it flow better for a modern lifestyle. A guest suite was added to the back of the existing garage to make a total of three guest suites and a master bedroom suite. The existing enclosed kitchen was opened up to create a true "great room" with access to the deck and the views. The windows and doors to the view were raised up to capture more light and scenery. An outdated brick fireplace was covered with mahogany panels and porcelain tiles to update the style. All floors were replaced with durable ceramic flooring. Outdated plumbing, appliances, lighting fixtures, cabinets and hand rails were replaced. The home was completely refurnished and decorated by the home owner in a style the fits the architectural intent. The scope for a "whole house remodel" is much like the design of a custom home. It takes a full team of professionals to do it properly. The home owners have a second home out of state and split their time away. They were able to assemble a team that included Sustainable Sedona Residential Design, Biermann Construction as the General Contractor, a landscape designer, and structural engineer to take charge in their absence. The collaboration worked well!

Inspiration for a farmhouse l-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen remodel in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, metallic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Abby Caroline Photography
Inspiration for a huge transitional u-shaped slate floor dedicated laundry room remodel in Atlanta with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, marble countertops, gray walls and a side-by-side washer/dryer

Achieving the old world look and feel in the kitchen, a Melrose Partners Designs signature look is used: high gloss stained doors and cabinets meet polished nickel oversized hardware. Dark walnut interiors and striking English ice box hinges and pulls were procured, along with oversized quartz countertops on both the center island and main counter space run; mirror-polished stainless steel drawer fronts dress up the distressed hickory and insert doors on the main island. An added bonus: a 45-inch under-mounted sink with a hot and cold water dispenser. In order to achieve a grandiose feel for the space, a Cerused finished, 12-inch plank white oak, expanses the floor.

Andy Warren Photography
Example of a classic u-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen design with granite countertops, gray backsplash, gray walls and an island