NYC designer Megan Pflug and her husband J. Penry purchased a 1962 mid-century lodge in Greenville, New York and revived the tired property to become the Woodhouse Lodge. Threading through it all are natural materials reflective of the environment, starting with the soapstone countertops quarried in Virginia and then fabricated on site with nothing more than a steel straight edge, a measuring tape, a wet saw and a few other basic tools. "In decorating the space, we were really interested in working with a lot of local vendors and makers," Pflug said. "I thought it was really cool that we were able to source soapstone from the east coast. I also think that regional materials are often the most appropriate choice. If I was in Santa Fe, maybe soapstone wouldn't make the most sense architecturally." Like Pflug, Hudson Valley based fabricator Anson R. Tollefson, of A.R.T. Restoration and Remodeling, has a background in art. Working with just two slabs of Alberene Soapstone, Tollefson, crafted the countertops, backsplash, shelving and supports. A job he describes as, “Like a very heavy puzzle.” Photo: Genevieve Garruppo

Black and white and no handles all over.
Mid-sized minimalist single-wall concrete floor and gray floor open concept kitchen photo in San Francisco with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, an island and black countertops

Example of a mid-sized minimalist single-wall concrete floor and white floor eat-in kitchen design in Miami with an undermount sink, glass-front cabinets, black cabinets, solid surface countertops, black backsplash, glass sheet backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Inspiration for a large modern gray floor kitchen remodel in Sacramento with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, paneled appliances and an island

**I. Spatial Composition & Architectural Volume** This vignette operates as a masterclass in the choreography of compressed urban space, deploying a classic enfilade strategy to extract depth from a modest footprint. The composition is organized around a cased opening — flanked by heavy, mitered pilaster-style jambs and a substantial crown-capped header — that frames the kitchen beyond like a proscenium, establishing a telescoping sightline from the foreground banquette nook through to the range wall and its marble backsplash. The immediate volume is a canted, faceted room; the angled corner walls and the polygonal ceiling perimeter generate a subtle rotational geometry that is echoed, with deliberate rhyme, in the octagonal tabletop and its faceted plinth base. Architectural discipline is supplied by comprehensive millwork: recessed applied-molding wall panels calibrated to the wall heights, a built-in bibliothèque with adjustable shelving and integrated media niche on the left, and a bench base detailed as cabinetry with a plinth and reveal, so the seating reads as architecture rather than furniture. The crowning gesture is a stone-clad soffit and cove above the multi-part cornice, which visually lifts the ceiling plane and dissolves the corner conditions of the canted plan into a continuous, luminous band. **II. Materiality, Color & Texture** The palette is a study in low-chroma tonal layering, structured on a base of dove-grey lacquered joinery whose cool, faintly greige undertone reads as both patrician and contemporary. Against this, book-matched white marble with grey and taupe veining appears in three registers — the ceiling cove, the kitchen backsplash, and the honed tabletop — creating a vertical and horizontal continuity of stone that binds the two rooms into one material narrative. Underfoot, wide-plank white oak laid in a herringbone pattern is finished in a wire-brushed, cerused grey-brown, its open grain supplying essential tactility and directional energy that counteracts the smoothness of the cabinetry. The tonal reserve is punctured by a single decisive chromatic move: the oxblood-to-cognac aniline leather banquette, its capitonné-adjacent piping and channeled seat cushion delivering saturated warmth and a supple, patinating counterpoint to the cool minerals. Metals are deliberately stratified — brushed stainless on the appliance suite, polished nickel on the cabinet hardware and pendant collars, and a high-mirror chromed column and base on the table that pulls reflected fragments of the room into itself. Textile relief arrives through a heather-grey wool bolster and the woven, honeycomb-textured sconce shades, while the sunflowers and pantry provisions behind glazed muntin doors introduce a curated, humanizing note of the quotidian. **III. Lighting, Atmosphere & Style Profile** The lighting scheme is layered and hierarchical. Ambient illumination is borrowed rather than direct: the kitchen functions as a light well, its own concealed under-cabinet lighting and cove-washed ceiling projecting a cool, diffuse glow forward through the cased opening, so the brighter volume beyond reads as both destination and light source. In the foreground, symmetrically paired wall sconces with textured drum shades cast a warm, amber-filtered ellipse of light onto the paneling — providing intimate, low-level modeling that emphasizes the millwork's shadow lines and flatters the leather's depth. The kitchen's aligned trio of spun-metal dome pendants, with polished collars and diffused lenses, reinforce the axial perspective and supply task-appropriate downlight, while the marble cove above serves as an indirect reflector, softening any residual harshness. The cumulative atmosphere is hushed, refined, and slightly cinematic — a quiet formality more contemplative than performative. Stylistically, the project synthesizes into a form of Transitional Classicism, or more precisely a tailored American Neoclassicism recalibrated for contemporary living: the vocabulary of paneled millwork, crown profiles, and cased openings is retained, but stripped of ornament, flattened in profile, and rendered in a monochrome envelope, then energized by faceted geometries, mirror-finish metal, and a single confident stroke of leather. It is restraint deployed as luxury.

Janis Nicolay
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped porcelain tile seated home bar remodel in Vancouver with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz countertops and mirror backsplash

Morgan Riccilli Slade
Open concept kitchen - contemporary galley open concept kitchen idea in San Francisco with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops and an island

Photography by Coral Dove
Small minimalist single-wall light wood floor and beige floor eat-in kitchen photo in Baltimore with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, marble backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Kitchen - contemporary kitchen idea

Reverse view into the kitchen from near the dry bar across the room. The focal point here clearly is the massive dual Subzero fridge and freezer units, flanking the Wolf double oven unit in the center. The flush inset design of all the components on this wall makes for a very clean exeterior presentation. Design: City Chic, Cristi Pettibone Photos: SpartaPhoto - Alex Rentzis

Trendy bathroom photo in Phoenix

Trendy basement photo in Omaha

The recent creation of a rustic spa retreat master bathroom in Brookfield, WI. Major renovations include: closing off a window to create a large walk-in shower, removing the wall separating the bathroom shower from the vanity area, closing off a doorway into the closet in order to add a 2nd sink. Special features include: heated floor,multiple shower and rain head, pebble glass sinks with in cabinet lighting, Quartz countertops, a monochromatic color scheme with porcelain tiles and river rock. www.modernedgedesign.com Design by: Stephanie Quinn

Example of a trendy kitchen design in Los Angeles

The owners of this 1980’s built-home wanted to create a completely new look for their outdated master bath and turned to Renovisions for design and build services. Having perused Renovisions website, they were confident they made the right choice to help them transform their ordinary space into something truly extraordinary. The design team created several configurations for the homeowners review until they nailed down one particular design that would create that wow factor. The main challenges were creating an open, spacious feel and maximizing natural light and ventilation with plenty of storage and customizations. The addition of a second window allows ample light into the space throughout the day along with the recessed and sconce lights which were perfectly placed. Storage, which was a key element of this design, includes two separate vanity cabinets (his and hers) with plenty of space for needed toiletries, a matching framed medicine cabinet for her and a custom built cubby for him. Built on site was a linen closet with both roll out and stationary shelves for towels and shower supplies. The spacious walk-in, all tiled shower boasts ‘no door’ access with lineal drain, traditional fixed and hand-held shower heads and a rounded shower seat. Polished black granite was used inside the cubby and topping both the threshold and seat creating a nice contrast to and tying in with the floor. The decorative grab bar ensures safety for these homeowners while showering. The heated floors added throughout the bath take the edge off when stepping out of the warm shower and are conveniently operated by a 24 hour programmable thermostat. Classic white subway tile and chair rail trims adorne all walls and tie in nicely to each vanity station. Carrera look quartz was the perfect choice for countertops creating a clean fresh look. Stunning marble basket-weave mosaic floor tile set the stage in this exquisite bath as the beautiful white painted cabinetry softened the overall feel of the space. These homeowners are not saving spa retreats for once-a-year vacations anymore, they now enjoy a relaxing spa-like shower experience every day in their own home!

Photographer: Brady Vernik
Mid-sized farmhouse u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen photo in Seattle with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, black appliances, an island and white countertops

The former boiler room of the Lebanon Mills jewelry manufacturing complex in Pawtucket, RI is transformed into a sleek, modern graphic design office and private residence. The space – featuring 30 foot high ceilings and the remnants of the original boiler room configuration – required a visionary approach, and the final product is a vision of spare, minimalist elegance. New floor systems were inserted into the grand ceiling spaces, along with luminescent, glowing acrylic panel feature wall systems. The kitchen and living area features 15 foot high windows leading out onto a deck with views onto the blackstone river.

Example of a minimalist laundry room design in Seattle