Michele Lee Willson
Living room - modern living room idea in San Francisco with white walls and a media wall

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   The Klimala’s and their three kids are no strangers to moving, this being their fifth house in the same town over the 20-year period they have lived there. “It must be the 7-year itch, because every seven years, we seem to find ourselves antsy for a new project or a new environment. I think part of it is being a designer, I see my own taste evolve and I want my environment to reflect that. Having easy access to wonderful tradesmen and a knowledge of the process makes it that much easier”. This time, Klimala’s fell in love with a somewhat unlikely candidate. The 1950’s ranch turned cape cod was a bit of a mutt, but it’s location 5 minutes from their design studio and backing up to the high school where their kids can roll out of bed and walk to school, coupled with the charm of its location on a private road and lush landscaping made it an appealing choice for them. “The bones of the house were really charming. It was typical 1,500 square foot ranch that at some point someone added a second floor to. Its sloped roofline and dormered bedrooms gave it some charm.” With the help of architect Maureen McHugh, Klimala’s gutted and reworked the layout to make the house work for them. An open concept kitchen and dining room allows for more frequent casual family dinners and dinner parties that linger. A dingy 3-season room off the back of the original house was insulated, given a vaulted ceiling with skylights and now opens up to the kitchen. This room now houses an 8’ raw edge white oak dining table and functions as an informal dining room. “One of the challenges with these mid-century homes is the 8’ ceilings. I had to have at least one room that had a higher ceiling so that’s how we did it” states Klimala. The kitchen features a 10’ island which houses a 5’0” Galley Sink. The Galley features two faucets, and double tiered rail system to which accessories such as cutting boards and stainless steel bowls can be added for ease of cooking. Across from the large sink is an induction cooktop. “My two teen daughters and I enjoy cooking, and the Galley and induction cooktop make it so easy.” A wall of tall cabinets features a full size refrigerator, freezer, double oven and built in coffeemaker. The area on the opposite end of the kitchen features a pantry with mirrored glass doors and a beverage center below. The rest of the first floor features an entry way, a living room with views to the front yard’s lush landscaping, a family room where the family hangs out to watch TV, a back entry from the garage with a laundry room and mudroom area, one of the home’s four bedrooms and a full bath. There is a double sided fireplace between the family room and living room. The home features pops of color from the living room’s peach grass cloth to purple painted wall in the family room. “I’m definitely a traditionalist at heart but because of the home’s Midcentury roots, I wanted to incorporate some of those elements into the furniture, lighting and accessories which also ended up being really fun. We are not formal people so I wanted a house that my kids would enjoy, have their friends over and feel comfortable.” The second floor houses the master bedroom suite, two of the kids’ bedrooms and a back room nicknamed “the library” because it has turned into a quiet get away area where the girls can study or take a break from the rest of the family. The area was originally unfinished attic, and because the home was short on closet space, this Jack and Jill area off the girls’ bedrooms houses two large walk-in closets and a small sitting area with a makeup vanity. “The girls really wanted to keep the exposed brick of the fireplace that runs up the through the space, so that’s what we did, and I think they feel like they are in their own little loft space in the city when they are up there” says Klimala. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Carlos Vergara For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Example of a mid-sized trendy master green tile and subway tile cement tile floor and gray floor alcove shower design in Orange County with a hinged shower door

This gorgeous, flat panel cabinetry was made in the USA. Bead board accents the niche area the homeowners use to showcase decorative items and knickknacks. The countertop and back splash are engineered quartz. The mirrors over the sinks were actually located by our designer at a local discount home goods store. Finding lower cost solutions for features like the mirrors enabled our clients to spend more on the features that were of greater importance to them, like the cabinetry, floors and shower.

A full renovation of a Primary Bath Suite. Taking the bathroom down to the studs, we utilized an outdoor closet to expand the space and create a large walk-in wet room housing a shower and soaking tub. All new tile, paint, custom vanity, and finishes created a spa bathroom retreat for our wonderful clients.

The owners of this small condo came to use looking to add more storage to their bathroom. To do so, we built out the area to the left of the shower to create a full height “dry niche” for towels and other items to be stored. We also included a large storage cabinet above the toilet, finished with the same distressed wood as the two-drawer vanity. We used a hex-patterned mosaic for the flooring and large format 24”x24” tiles in the shower and niche. The green paint chosen for the wall compliments the light gray finishes and provides a contrast to the other bright white elements. Designed by Chi Renovation & Design who also serve the Chicagoland area and it's surrounding suburbs, with an emphasis on the North Side and North Shore. You'll find their work from the Loop through Lincoln Park, Skokie, Evanston, Humboldt Park, Wilmette, and all of the way up to Lake Forest. For more about Chi Renovation & Design, click here: https://www.chirenovation.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.chirenovation.com/portfolio/noble-square-bathroom/

The woodwork in this beautiful master closet is entirely by Banner's Cabinets. The crown molding, the cased openings, the doors, and of course the cabinets are beautifully and functionally created by Banner's. There are tall storage cabinets with drawers for folded items and doors for hanging shirts, slacks, dresses, coats, and ties. The armoir in the back has tall stacks of drawers for scarves and jewelry, and above is a wall cabinet that provides both storage and lighting for the armoir.

Spacious and luxurious, this master closet features display cabinets for handbags and shoes with easy access. the stunning onyx top island is packed with storage for small items, and a perfect landing spot for unpacking. Mesquite flooring and cherry cabinets exude a natural warmth and richness.

Beautiful spec home build that boasts an open floor plan design. The designer worked with blue color pallet as inspiration throughout this home project. The master bath in this home was designed to give a spa like escape to the lady of the home. A free standing tub was used in the master in place of a drop in tub. The family room has a beautiful stone fireplace with bookcases to give the room a beautiful room feeling. The fireplace wall was also given a unique look to draw the eye to that wall as a focal point in the room. A drop zone was added into the laundry area just inside the garage entrance which has both benches as well as cubbies for the homeowners to be able to drop items when returning from activities during their daily routines. Philip Slowiak Photography

Dressing room - large craftsman gender-neutral dark wood floor dressing room idea in New York with raised-panel cabinets and white cabinets

The design team struggled with the challenge of an alcove that determined placement of the bed. In order to add interest to this area, they hung a deep yellow handmade grass cloth, and because the width of the alcove did not allow for night stands, added wall-mounted lamps on each side of the bed. Wicker baskets sit on the floor to hold blankets and pillows as well as other items that might be found on a nightstand like books.

Photo by Robert Reck
Mid-sized southwest open concept porcelain tile living room photo in Albuquerque with orange walls, no fireplace and no tv

Every item in this bathroom creates a cohesive, clean, contemporary bathroom space from the grey vanity to the grey walls, white fixtures, brushed nickel faucets, and even the flooring is tied together beautifully. Photo by Preview First

A mother and father of three children, these hard-working parents expressed their remodeling objectives: •A clearly-defined master suite consisting of bathroom, walk-in closet and bedroom. •The bathroom should be large enough for an additional shower, a tub, two sinks instead of one, and storage for towels and paper items. •Their dream feature for the walk-in closet was an island to use as a place for shoe

Masterpiece Retreat: The Master Bathroom The master bathroom embodies the epitome of tranquility. Luxe gold fixtures complement the double vanity mirrors, trimmed in a warm Gilded" finish, their elongated rectangular shapes softened by rounded edges. The vanity, painted in a “Slate" hue, offers ample storage and features two undermount sinks atop a Polarstone Pure Opal countertop. Materika sand matte floor tiles provide a soothing foundation, while Dolomite shower walls and a Starphire glass half shower door create a seamless, light-filled space.

This beautiful North Vancouver home belongs to a nature-loving and health-conscious couple, Emma and Vince (names changed), their two young children, and their dog, Jasper. When they contacted us about renovating and furnishing their kitchen and family room, we walked in and saw a world of potential waiting to be uncovered. Before: Larkhall Crescent Home: Like many original North Vancouver homes, the interior was definitely dated. We encountered late ‘80s finishes in powder pink and teal green, old carpet, and a kitchen that wasn’t maximized to suit this family’s modern-day lifestyle. However, the size of the rooms offered us a ton of space with which to get creative. Knowing our clients’ love of cooking, need for work spaces (Emma and Vince both work remotely), and growing family, we developed a design concept that would increase usable space, optimize storage, and create intimacy in this large area. As for the style, we were inspired by their European roots, inventing a new and modern take on “Belgian Farmhouse” style. Now, the home is truly one-of-a-kind. After: Warm & Cozy Family Room: Fresh, bright, and comfortable, this living area has been transformed! We started with the fireplace as a focal point, selecting aged brick tiles for added texture and a crisp wood mantle. The taupe-coloured sectional infuses the room with visual warmth and serves the added purpose of separating the family room from the kitchen. Emma and Vince were also keen on using non-toxic materials in their home, and we were happy to oblige. To meet their needs, we sourced natural wood elements and sought out Canadian-made products - that adhere to high health standards - whenever possible. Look closer at the elements of this space, and you will find this stunning, honeycomb-patterned rug in earthy gold, beige, and charcoal tones. It’s plush to the touch and full of visual texture that brings this room’s colour palette together. We sourced these two-tone chairs with caning, petrified wood side table, black sconces, and botanical prints in greyscale from local artist, Heather Johnston. We topped off the space with this dark wood and rattan console that offers storage facing the kitchen and presents an opportunity to display cherished items. The result is a cozy lounging space brimming with comfort and functionality. It’s perfect for enjoying quality family time, or Emma can simply slide the coffee table away to make room for her morning yoga practice. Now, let’s turn around and give some attention to the kitchen. Do you remember what the original kitchen looked like? If not, scroll back up, because the transformation is shocking… Moody & Welcoming Kitchen for Healthy Living: This kitchen looks very different from how it started, right? Though we didn’t touch any walls, the kitchen has almost doubled in usable space! We created a long, extended island with storage, an outlet for small appliances, and seating for comfortable prep, after-school snacking, or mingling among friends. On the other side of the island, the family has even more storage and an integrated dishwasher within easy reach of the sink, perfect for quick clean-up. From this angle, you can also see the expansive custom Shaker cabinetry in white and the integrated double ovens. These facilitate their cooking experience and gave us the opportunity to add an additional surprise… A coffee garage station and more hidden storage! Keeping these items located along the perimeter allows them to be accessed by the family or their guests without someone getting under the cook’s feet. These are the little details that make everyday life easier and more enjoyable. Moving deeper into the kitchen, the seamless induction cooktop topped with a freestanding concealed hood fan commands attention in a soft yet prominent way. The natural wood accent mirrors the fireplace mantle, and the choice of off-black wood-grain cabinets not only continues our black-and-white colour palette but adds a sense of depth and contrast. The corner sink is located to the right and perfectly positioned with a view of their thriving backyard. To invite more of this family’s character into the space, we mixed metals for interest — matte black, dark pewter, and warm brass — and created open shelves in white oak for their plants and decor. You can also glimpse the tumbled edge of the backsplash tile, which echoes the rustic brick of the fireplace. It adds that farmhouse charm while still feeling timeless and sophisticated. Last but not least, we designed this dining banquette in the bay window (with integrated bench storage, of course), where the family can share a meal together, the kids can do homework, or Emma and Vince can work and enjoy a change of scenery from their offices. Like the other spaces in the home, it was designed to be beautiful, multi-functional, and long-lasting. Praise from Our Clients: It is clear that we love this home, but what did our clients have to say? “Lori is a visionary and masters execution to the finest detail all at the same time. When she first met us to know more about who we are and how we live, she could right away envision how we could use the space in our kitchen and living room…The results exceeded our expectations. Lori and her team were also a delight to work with — coordination with all the trades, fast problem-solving, regular updates, professional and friendly attitude of her entire team — made it the dream team. Thank you SHD for making our space so beautiful!” In turn, we are so grateful for this family’s trust, their open communication, and for being wonderful people with whom to work. (So, thank you!)

Transitional bedroom photo in Dallas

The new master bath was closed off with a pocket door, and the ceilings were plastered to create a much brighter and inviting space. A floating, 84" 6-drawer espresso Ultracraft vanity was installed along the back wall. A matching linen cabinet was recessed into what was formerly an inaccessible wall cavity. Build-in floor to ceiling shelves extended behind the wall space to the right, adding extra concealed storage for unsightly items like cleaning supplies, toilet paper, etc. Design by: Michelle Masone Photo credit: Michelle Masone

Walk into this mudroom from the garage, throw down your items and sit down to take your shoes off! We've done a convenient build in bench and cubbies including hooks with durable tile flooring.