Finding a home is not easy in a seller’s market, but when my clients discovered one—even though it needed a bit of work—in a beautiful area of the Santa Cruz Mountains, they decided to jump in. Surrounded by old-growth redwood trees and a sense of old-time history, the house’s location informed the design brief for their desired remodel work. Yet I needed to balance this with my client’s preference for clean-lined, modern style. Suffering from a previous remodel, the galley-like bathroom in the master suite was long and dank. My clients were willing to completely redesign the layout of the suite, so the bathroom became the walk-in closet. We borrowed space from the bedroom to create a new, larger master bathroom which now includes a separate tub and shower. The look of the room nods to nature with organic elements like a pebbled shower floor and vertical accent tiles of honed green slate. A custom vanity of blue weathered wood and a ceiling that recalls the look of pressed tin evoke a time long ago when people settled this mountain region. At the same time, the hardware in the room looks to the future with sleek, modular shapes in a chic matte black finish. Harmonious, serene, with personality: just what my clients wanted. Photo: Bernardo Grijalva

When the homeowners first purchased the 1925 house, it was compartmentalized, outdated, and completely unfunctional for their growing family. Casework designed the owner's previous kitchen and family room and was brought in to lead up the creative direction for the project. Casework teamed up with architect Paul Crowther and brother sister team Ainslie Davis on the addition and remodel of the Colonial. The existing kitchen and powder bath were demoed and walls expanded to create a new footprint for the home. This created a much larger, more open kitchen and breakfast nook with mudroom, pantry and more private half bath. In the spacious kitchen, a large walnut island perfectly compliments the homes existing oak floors without feeling too heavy. Paired with brass accents, Calcutta Carrera marble countertops, and clean white cabinets and tile, the kitchen feels bright and open - the perfect spot for a glass of wine with friends or dinner with the whole family. There was no official master prior to the renovations. The existing four bedrooms and one separate bathroom became two smaller bedrooms perfectly suited for the client’s two daughters, while the third became the true master complete with walk-in closet and master bath. There are future plans for a second story addition that would transform the current master into a guest suite and build out a master bedroom and bath complete with walk in shower and free standing tub. Overall, a light, neutral palette was incorporated to draw attention to the existing colonial details of the home, like coved ceilings and leaded glass windows, that the homeowners fell in love with. Modern furnishings and art were mixed in to make this space an eclectic haven.

Walls upholstered in pale blue wool satin and custom made silk and wool Tibetan rug create a peaceful refuge. The television is concealed in a custom designed Italian style cabinet with hydrolic lift. King sized four poster bed, designed by Michael Whaley, is made up with luxurious Italian linens. Photo by Durston Saylor

Custom reclaimed log bed with bent blackened steel side tables. Photography by Manolo Langis Located steps away from the beach, the client engaged us to transform a blank industrial loft space to a warm inviting space that pays respect to its industrial heritage. We use anchored large open space with a sixteen foot conversation island that was constructed out of reclaimed logs and plumbing pipes. The island itself is divided up into areas for eating, drinking, and reading. Bringing this theme into the bedroom, the bed was constructed out of 12x12 reclaimed logs anchored by two bent steel plates for side tables.

Transitional laundry room photo in Miami

As a conceptual urban infill project, the Wexley is designed for a narrow lot in the center of a city block. The 26’x48’ floor plan is divided into thirds from front to back and from left to right. In plan, the left third is reserved for circulation spaces and is reflected in elevation by a monolithic block wall in three shades of gray. Punching through this block wall, in three distinct parts, are the main levels windows for the stair tower, bathroom, and patio. The right two-thirds of the main level are reserved for the living room, kitchen, and dining room. At 16’ long, front to back, these three rooms align perfectly with the three-part block wall façade. It’s this interplay between plan and elevation that creates cohesion between each façade, no matter where it’s viewed. Given that this project would have neighbors on either side, great care was taken in crafting desirable vistas for the living, dining, and master bedroom. Upstairs, with a view to the street, the master bedroom has a pair of closets and a skillfully planned bathroom complete with soaker tub and separate tiled shower. Main level cabinetry and built-ins serve as dividing elements between rooms and framing elements for views outside. Architect: Visbeen Architects Builder: J. Peterson Homes Photographer: Ashley Avila Photography

The master bath in this Franklin home, completed in 2017, features a natural cement looking porcelain floor tile with large format Italian porcelain slabs on the walls to create a natural gray travertine appearance. The wall hung cabinetry is simple yet functional allowing for all items including towels, linens, and dirty laundry to be easily stored in the two towers flanking the countertop. Above the two towers is a ribbon of glass windows to the ceiling which provide ample light while allowing for privacy. The bathroom also features a makeup vanity area with built-in hidden medicine cabinets and a huge walk-in shower with rain head, floating stone seat, and matching floor-to ceiling porcelain slabs on the shower walls.

Double shower - contemporary master white tile light wood floor and beige floor double shower idea in Denver with flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, solid surface countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops, beige walls and a trough sink

Photo: Alexandra Crafton © 2016 Houzz Tile: subway, Home Depot; shelving: Ikea; wall and ceiling paint: Moonlight White, Benjamin Moore; floor tile: SomerTile Thirties Vertex, OverStock

A beautiful, clean, cool, classic, white Master Bath. Interior Design by Ashley Whittaker.
Small elegant master white tile mosaic tile floor bathroom photo in New York with an undermount sink, white cabinets, marble countertops, an undermount tub, white walls, raised-panel cabinets and white countertops

For this renovation, the basic layout functioned well for the homeowners, but the bathroom was feeling dated and in need of an overhaul. We replaced a bulky tub deck with a more scaled back and refined surround, complete with a paneled front to match the custom his and hers vanities. A wing wall was removed to allow light in and create a more open feel. A prefabricated shower pan and dated sliders were replaced with a custom tiled shower and frameless glass. We used a combination of natural travertine and porcelain tiles to provide visual warmth to the expansive bathroom. The antiqued/glazed vanities and the exotic quartzite countertops with their subtle coloration and veining further convey the homeowner’s classic style. Stacy Zarin Goldberg Photography

Transitional master white tile and ceramic tile porcelain tile, beige floor and double-sink bathroom photo in San Diego with shaker cabinets, brown cabinets, an integrated sink, a hinged shower door, gray countertops and a built-in vanity

It's all about texture.
Inspiration for a large transitional master gray tile and porcelain tile bathroom remodel in Baltimore with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets and marble countertops

This master bathroom uses wood and beige colors to create a simple yet elegant space. The clean look is made with flat panel cabinets. round copper mirrors, and beige tile on the floors and shower. Photo Credit: StudioQPhoto.com

This master bath suite was created with Fieldstone Cabinetry's Reading door style in Cherry finished in Hazelnut with Ebony glaze.
Example of a huge classic master beige floor alcove bathtub design in Other with raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, green walls and an undermount sink

Freestanding bathtub - mid-sized transitional master porcelain tile freestanding bathtub idea in Atlanta with shaker cabinets, black cabinets, beige walls, an undermount sink and marble countertops

Finding a home is not easy in a seller’s market, but when my clients discovered one—even though it needed a bit of work—in a beautiful area of the Santa Cruz Mountains, they decided to jump in. Surrounded by old-growth redwood trees and a sense of old-time history, the house’s location informed the design brief for their desired remodel work. Yet I needed to balance this with my client’s preference for clean-lined, modern style. Suffering from a previous remodel, the galley-like bathroom in the master suite was long and dank. My clients were willing to completely redesign the layout of the suite, so the bathroom became the walk-in closet. We borrowed space from the bedroom to create a new, larger master bathroom which now includes a separate tub and shower. The look of the room nods to nature with organic elements like a pebbled shower floor and vertical accent tiles of honed green slate. A custom vanity of blue weathered wood and a ceiling that recalls the look of pressed tin evoke a time long ago when people settled this mountain region. At the same time, the hardware in the room looks to the future with sleek, modular shapes in a chic matte black finish. Harmonious, serene, with personality: just what my clients wanted. Photo: Bernardo Grijalva

Example of a mid-sized farmhouse u-shaped porcelain tile and white floor kitchen pantry design in Little Rock with open cabinets, white cabinets, wood countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash and white countertops

Warm farmhouse kitchen nestled in the suburbs has a welcoming feel, with soft repose gray cabinets, two islands for prepping and entertaining and warm wood contrasts.