The Made to Last team kept much of the existing footprint and original feel of the cabin while implementing the new elements these clients wanted. To expand the outdoor space, they installed a composite wrap-around deck with picture frame installation, built to last a lifetime. Inside, no opportunity was lost to add additional storage space, including a pantry and hidden shelving throughout. Finally, by adding a two-story addition on the back of the existing A-frame, they were able to create a better kitchen layout, a welcoming entranceway with a proper porch, and larger windows to provide plenty of natural light and views of the ocean and rugged Thetis Island scenery. There is a guest room and bathroom towards the back of the A-frame. The master suite of this home is located in the upper loft and includes an ensuite and additional upstairs living space.

DESIGNED BY TOC design CONSTRUCTION BY TOC design & Construction inc. PHOTOS BY : Tania Scardellato I was fortunate to have a young family approach me in desperate need to renovate there only 3 piece bathroom. This space was In dire need of a remodel, with old brown wall to wall tiles and a dated bulky yellow brown single sink vanity. Storage was a must, lighting a necessity, and proper accessibility to the shower bath area. We had a tight budget to respect, but a full gut of this bathroom was required. And a good thing too, once we started doing the demolition we noticed that mildew and rotting floors and walls had accumulated throughout the years. Doing it right the first time is no joke when dealing with water and electrical issues. We discarded all reminisce of old and built from scratch, new walls, new plumbing, new electrical ,new insulation and a new window, a new fan that actually exhausted outside ( I say this laughing as you would be amazed at how many fans are installed but don’t exhaust outside, and you the client would never know unless you go inside the attic space. Once all the hard stuff was done, the rest is just a matter of smart design. If you have a small bathroom here are some tips to guide you. 10 tips for making a small bathroom feel larger Is your tiny bathroom cramping your functionality and style, leaving you longing for the enormous bathrooms gracing the pages of design magazines? Even if your bathroom is a fraction of the size, all it takes is some design savvy to make the most of the space you have. Consider these 10 smart tips that will help your bathroom look, feel and function like those larger contenders. 1-Get creative with corners Space is at a premium in small bathrooms, so it's important to maximize every inch. Corners, for example, provide extra space for shelving, storage units and even hooks. Get creative and install unique design solutions that are not only functional, but also eye-catching. If you love the airiness of floating cabinets, add baskets or decorative boxes under for extra storage. If you are installing floating cabinets insure that they are installed securely to studs or plywood at wall. 2- Let solid colors shine Busy patterns have a shrinking effect and make small bathrooms seem even smaller. Conversely, light natural hues make a space feel more open. If you're itching to get creative with design, experiment with textures but keep overpowering patterns to a minimum. Tone on tone is the best to achieve this. 3 - Maximize your bathtub A bathtub takes up a significant portion of the room, but modern, compact options with curved basins, can make the tub feel larger when in use, all while conserving space. 4 - Select a smaller faucet A faucet is jewelry for the bathroom. And just as accessories can overpower an outfit, a big bulky faucet isn't flattering in a small bath. Single-handle designs conserve counter space, while a wall-mount installation frees it up all together and can create quite the wow-factor, if the budget can accommodate the required changes to plumbing behind the wall. 5 - Make vanity storage simple If you're in a storage war with your small bathroom, you're not alone in the battle. Toiletries and personal supplies without a place to call home only add clutter and chaos. Store smart with a space-saving vanity, the dual sink vanity shown here, looks quite simple, but in reality it has 4 sets of full extension drawers, and the vanity tower adds extra storage without overpowering the use of space. 6 - Show off the shower Shower curtains may be pretty, but they interrupt the visual flow of a bathing space and make it feel significantly smaller. In bathrooms with small footprints, opt for a clear glass sliding shower door that doesn't require the clearance of one with a hinged design. Or as shown in this design and for fraction less expensive a half hinged panel installed on a fixed tempered glass panel. If you're embarking on a big remodel, create the illusion of more space by using same tile in the shower that's used throughout; instead of seeing them as two separate zones, the eye will read them as one. 7 - Discover the treasure of hidden storage Work with a contractor, and you just might find some serious storage potential hidden behind your walls. Whether it's utilizing space between the studs for shallow shelving or a creating a small linen closet by annexing space from an adjacent room, even small additions can make a big difference. 8 - Focal Point Tile is a beautiful, durable addition to any bathroom. For dainty spaces, consider installing tile at a diagonal to accentuate the focal point or as in this bathroom I used an oversized textured pattern to bring depth to the space at the window wall. 9 - Choose the right lights Strategically install light to reflect and brighten a small bathroom to make it appear larger. Recessed lighting is an affordable solution for tiny rooms, offering ample light while taking up little space. Wall sconces alongside a mirror also reflect off the walls and make a room feel bright and airy. I always recommend going with LED lighting at 2800 to 3000K. 10 – Accessorize This is your time to shine in your decorating skills, have fun with your towels, you can change the color scheme daily just by adding pops of color in your accessories, make sure to get items that serve a dual purpose, like baskets, boxes they can always be used as hampers, storing of towels and even a nice display for your guest.

Photo Credit to RE-Pdx Photography of Portland Oregon
Walk-in shower - large craftsman master walk-in shower idea in Portland with beige walls

The Made to Last team kept much of the existing footprint and original feel of the cabin while implementing the new elements these clients wanted. To expand the outdoor space, they installed a composite wrap-around deck with picture frame installation, built to last a lifetime. Inside, no opportunity was lost to add additional storage space, including a pantry and hidden shelving throughout. Finally, by adding a two-story addition on the back of the existing A-frame, they were able to create a better kitchen layout, a welcoming entranceway with a proper porch, and larger windows to provide plenty of natural light and views of the ocean and rugged Thetis Island scenery. There is a guest room and bathroom towards the back of the A-frame. The master suite of this home is located in the upper loft and includes an ensuite and additional upstairs living space.

Clients were wanting to expand their 50's era semi-bungalow to a full two storey so they could add one more bedroom and bathroom to their second level. Part of the plan was to create an actual master suite with proper ensuite bathroom and walk-in closet space. Phase one took the project to drywall stage, but later we added phase two where we finished the rest of the second level to finish stage along with a complete refresh of the main level with new finishings including flooring and counter-tops. The exterior of the home was also re-done including new windows, doors, and siding plus roof shingles of course. The result was a great and expanded character bungalow in a very desirable area located close to downtown.

Clients were wanting to expand their 50's era semi-bungalow to a full two storey so they could add one more bedroom and bathroom to their second level. Part of the plan was to create an actual master suite with proper ensuite bathroom and walk-in closet space. Phase one took the project to drywall stage, but later we added phase two where we finished the rest of the second level to finish stage along with a complete refresh of the main level with new finishings including flooring and counter-tops. The exterior of the home was also re-done including new windows, doors, and siding plus roof shingles of course. The result was a great and expanded character bungalow in a very desirable area located close to downtown.

The Made to Last team kept much of the existing footprint and original feel of the cabin while implementing the new elements these clients wanted. To expand the outdoor space, they installed a composite wrap-around deck with picture frame installation, built to last a lifetime. Inside, no opportunity was lost to add additional storage space, including a pantry and hidden shelving throughout. Finally, by adding a two-story addition on the back of the existing A-frame, they were able to create a better kitchen layout, a welcoming entranceway with a proper porch, and larger windows to provide plenty of natural light and views of the ocean and rugged Thetis Island scenery. There is a guest room and bathroom towards the back of the A-frame. The master suite of this home is located in the upper loft and includes an ensuite and additional upstairs living space.

Clients were wanting to expand their 50's era semi-bungalow to a full two storey so they could add one more bedroom and bathroom to their second level. Part of the plan was to create an actual master suite with proper ensuite bathroom and walk-in closet space. Phase one took the project to drywall stage, but later we added phase two where we finished the rest of the second level to finish stage along with a complete refresh of the main level with new finishings including flooring and counter-tops. The exterior of the home was also re-done including new windows, doors, and siding plus roof shingles of course. The result was a great and expanded character bungalow in a very desirable area located close to downtown.

A 6,000 square foot 2-story new home complex in Milpitas was designed to facilitate the owners’ large business parties and gatherings, to have rooms for the kids to come back to upstairs, and a ground floor master suite with a huge walk-in closet. Several separate structures make up the dwelling: The main house, 3-car garage with carport for overflow parking, and a separate entertainment and recreation building separated by a courtyard from the main house. The business activities include gatherings in the hundreds of people, so parking was maximized and guests can flow in through a separate gate to party in the courtyard and recreation building. Inside this structure is a wet bar, billiard room, workout gym and home theater. The main house ground floor has formal and informal living rooms, open kitchen and master suite with views and expansive windows in every direction. The house is sited on the crestline of a hill with views of the San Francisco Bay and private golf course below. The indoor-outdoor aspect of the house is further accentuated with outside living and dining areas. High ceilings and expansive glass walls dissolve the sense of enclosure taking advantage of the site’s openness and privacy. The owner’s suite is downstairs in anticipation of aging-in-place, and upstairs there are three bedrooms and four bathrooms plus a sitting area lounge and casual TV loft area. The house sits on one acre at the top of a low hill range overlooking Milpitas. The city was very cognizant of the importance of keeping a low profile at this crestline and required extensive story poles and photo evidence of the proper height and siting so as not to be seen from certain selected vantage points. GENERAL CONTRACTOR: JCD Builders Inc. LANDSCAPE DESIGN: Morf Chang Landscape Architecture / ODS Architecture PHOTOGRAPHS: Paul Dyer Photography

  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

Example of a transitional 3/4 brown tile corner shower design in Denver

Alcove bathtub - mid-sized coastal kids' white tile and ceramic tile porcelain tile and gray floor alcove bathtub idea in Seattle with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, a one-piece toilet, gray walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops and white countertops

Clients were wanting to expand their 50's era semi-bungalow to a full two storey so they could add one more bedroom and bathroom to their second level. Part of the plan was to create an actual master suite with proper ensuite bathroom and walk-in closet space. Phase one took the project to drywall stage, but later we added phase two where we finished the rest of the second level to finish stage along with a complete refresh of the main level with new finishings including flooring and counter-tops. The exterior of the home was also re-done including new windows, doors, and siding plus roof shingles of course. The result was a great and expanded character bungalow in a very desirable area located close to downtown.

Clients were wanting to expand their 50's era semi-bungalow to a full two storey so they could add one more bedroom and bathroom to their second level. Part of the plan was to create an actual master suite with proper ensuite bathroom and walk-in closet space. Phase one took the project to drywall stage, but later we added phase two where we finished the rest of the second level to finish stage along with a complete refresh of the main level with new finishings including flooring and counter-tops. The exterior of the home was also re-done including new windows, doors, and siding plus roof shingles of course. The result was a great and expanded character bungalow in a very desirable area located close to downtown.

Master bathroom lavatories Rick Ueda, photographer
Beach style 3/4 blue tile and ceramic tile mosaic tile floor freestanding bathtub photo in Los Angeles with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, a one-piece toilet, blue walls, an undermount sink and zinc countertops

Photo: Alexandra Crafton © 2016 Houzz
Living room - eclectic living room idea in Boston

Clients were wanting to expand their 50's era semi-bungalow to a full two storey so they could add one more bedroom and bathroom to their second level. Part of the plan was to create an actual master suite with proper ensuite bathroom and walk-in closet space. Phase one took the project to drywall stage, but later we added phase two where we finished the rest of the second level to finish stage along with a complete refresh of the main level with new finishings including flooring and counter-tops. The exterior of the home was also re-done including new windows, doors, and siding plus roof shingles of course. The result was a great and expanded character bungalow in a very desirable area located close to downtown.

Clients were wanting to expand their 50's era semi-bungalow to a full two storey so they could add one more bedroom and bathroom to their second level. Part of the plan was to create an actual master suite with proper ensuite bathroom and walk-in closet space. Phase one took the project to drywall stage, but later we added phase two where we finished the rest of the second level to finish stage along with a complete refresh of the main level with new finishings including flooring and counter-tops. The exterior of the home was also re-done including new windows, doors, and siding plus roof shingles of course. The result was a great and expanded character bungalow in a very desirable area located close to downtown.

View of his vanity in Master bath with doors to her closet on the left and door to his closet on the right
Drop-in bathtub - huge traditional master white tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile drop-in bathtub idea in Austin with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, a one-piece toilet and beige walls