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Example of an eclectic light wood floor hallway design in Phoenix with beige walls

Mark Lohman
Inspiration for a large timeless boy kids' room remodel in Los Angeles with multicolored walls

The newly remodeled family room has new hardwood floors and French doors which lead out to a large backyard patio. A new built-in entertainment center with bookshelves and storage was added. The custom upholstered armchairs and sofa are in cream colors with patterned pillows, lending to the nautical beach theme. A blue accent wall lends to the blue hues throughout the home. A custom cocktail table and side tables were designed specifically for this home. The new open floor plan makes the family room visible from the entry and open to the kitchen. The backside of the fireplace has a hint to the nautical theme with white painted wood and new nickel fireplace doors. A commissioned painting hangs near the French doors; it coordinates with the mural painted in the powder room. The room is finished with a custom area rug and custom roman shades which are operated by a remote system. Photo credit: Stephanie Swartz

This light filled laundry room is as functional as it is beautiful. It features a vented clothes drying cabinet, complete with a hanging rod for air drying clothes and pullout mesh racks for drying t-shirts or delicates. The handy dog shower makes it easier to keep Fido clean and the full height wall tile makes cleaning a breeze. Open shelves above the dog shower provide a handy spot for rolled up towels, dog shampoo and dog treats. A laundry soaking sink, a custom pullout cabinet for hanging mops, brooms and other cleaning supplies, and ample cabinet storage make this a dream laundry room. Design accents include a fun octagon wall tile and a whimsical gold basket light fixture.

How cool is this bonus room - turned - teen tech station & hangout? Our designers custom made the blackboard wall, and designed a computer workstation built-in, creating not only a functional room - but the coolest hangout!

Playful, blue, and practical were the design directives for this family-friendly home.
Example of a mid-sized transitional medium tone wood floor family room design in New York with no tv

The Kiguchi family moved into their Austin, Texas home in 1994. Built in the 1980’s as part of a neighborhood development, they happily raised their family here but longed for something more contemporary. Once they became empty nesters, they decided it was time for a major remodel. After spending many years visiting Austin AIA Home Tours that highlight contemporary residential architecture, they had a lot of ideas and in 2013 were ready to interview architects and get their renovation underway. The project turned into a major remodel due to an unstable foundation. Architects Ben Arbib and Ed Hughey, of Arbib Hughey Design were hired to solve the structural issue and look for inspiration in the bones of the house, which sat on top of a hillside and was surrounded by great views. Unfortunately, with the old floor plan, the beautiful views were hidden by small windows that were poorly placed. In order to bring more natural light into the house the window sizes and configurations had to be addressed, all while keeping in mind the homeowners desire for a modern look and feel. To achieve a more contemporary and sophisticated front of house, a new entry was designed that included removing a two-story bay window and porch. The entrance of the home also became more integrated with the landscape creating a template for new foliage to be planted. Older exterior materials were updated to incorporate a more muted palette of colors with a metal roof, dark grey siding in the back and white stucco in the front. Deep eaves were added over many of the new large windows for clean lines and sun protection. “Inside it was about opening up the floor plan, expanding the views throughout the house, and updating the material palette to get a modern look that was also warm and inviting,” said Ben from Arbib Hughey Design. “Prior to the remodel, the house had the typical separation of rooms. We removed the walls between them and changed all of the windows to Milgard Thermally Improved Aluminum to connect the inside with the outside. No matter where you are you get nice views and natural light.” The architects wanted to create some drama, which they accomplished with the window placement and opening up the interior floor plan to an open concept approach. Cabinetry was used to help delineate intimate spaces. To add warmth to an all-white living room, white-washed oak wood floors were installed and pine planks were used around the fireplace. The large windows served as artwork bringing the color of nature into the space. An octagon shaped, elevated dining room, (named “the turret”), had a big impact on the design of the house. They architects rounded the corners and added larger window openings overlooking a new sunken garden. The great room was also softened by rounding out the corners and that circular theme continued throughout the house, being picked up in skylight wells and kitchen cabinetry. A staircase leading to a catwalk was added and the result was a two-story window wall that flooded the home with natural light. When asked why Milgard® Thermally Improved Aluminum windows were selected, the architectural team listed many reasons: 1) Aesthetics: “We liked the slim profiles and narrow sightlines. The window frames never get in the way of the view and that was important to us. They also have a very contemporary look that went well with our design.” 2) Options: “We liked that we could get large sliding doors that matched the windows, giving us a very cohesive look and feel throughout the project.” 3) Cost Effective: “Milgard windows are affordable. You get a good product at a good price.” 4) Custom Sizes: “Milgard windows are customizable, which allowed us to get the right window for each location.” Ready to take on your own traditional to modern home remodeling project? Arbib Hughey Design advises, “Work with a good architect. That means picking a team that is creative, communicative, listens well and is responsive. We think it’s important for an architect to listen to their clients and give them something they want, not something the architect thinks they should have. At the same time you want an architect who is willing and able to think outside the box and offer up design options that you may not have considered. Design is about a lot of back and forth, trying out ideas, getting feedback and trying again.” The home was completely transformed into a unique, contemporary house perfectly integrated with its site. Internally the home has a natural flow for the occupants and externally it is integrated with the surroundings taking advantage of great natural light. As a side note, it was highly praised as part of the Austin AIA homes tour.

Large transitional medium tone wood floor family room photo in New York with white walls and a standard fireplace

Construction by Plath + Co. Photography by Eric Rorer. Interior Design by Jan Wasson.
Family room - large transitional enclosed dark wood floor family room idea in San Francisco with white walls and a wall-mounted tv

High-gloss lilac adds unexpected color above, while a Dutch door and built-in dog beds keep the McKinleys' pets contained and comfortable in the laundry room. Photo by Erica George Dines for Southern Living

Catherine Nguyen. Neill & Lee Contractors. Closet converted to a powder room.
Trendy powder room photo in San Francisco with a wall-mount sink

Family room - transitional family room idea in San Francisco

Tria Giovan
Example of a french country dark wood floor dining room design in New York with blue walls

Louis G. Weiner Photography - This powder room started as a design disaster before receiving a stunning transformation. It was green, dark, and dreary and stuck in an outdated Southwestern theme (complete with gecko lizard décor.) We knew they needed help fast. Our clients wish was to have a modern, sophisticated bathroom with a little pizzazz. The design required a full demo and included removing the heavy soffit in order to lift the room. To bring in the bling, we chose a unique concave and convex tile to be installed from floor to ceiling. The elegant floating vanity is finished with white quartz countertops and a large vessel sink. The mercury glass pendants in the corner lend a soft glow to the room. Simple and stylish new hardware, commode and porcelain tile flooring play a supporting role in the overall impact. The stars of this powder room are the geometric foil wallpaper and the playful moose trophy head; which pays homage to the clients’ Canadian heritage.

Photography: Christian Garibaldi
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional formal and enclosed carpeted living room remodel in New York with gray walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

THEME This room is dedicated to supporting and encouraging the young artist in art and music. From the hand-painted instruments decorating the music corner to the dedicated foldaway art table, every space is tailored to the creative spirit, offering a place to be inspired, a nook to relax or a corner to practice. This environment radiates energy from the ground up, showering the room in natural, vibrant color. FOCUS A majestic, floor-to-ceiling tree anchors the space, boldly transporting the beauty of nature into the house--along with the fun of swinging from a tree branch, pitching a tent or reading under the beautiful canopy. The tree shares pride of place with a unique, retroinspired room divider housing a colorful padded nook perfect for reading, watching television or just relaxing. STORAGE Multiple storage options are integrated to accommodate the family’s eclectic interests and varied needs. From hidden cabinets in the floor to movable shelves and storage bins, there is room for everything. The two wardrobes provide generous storage capacity without taking up valuable floor space, and readily open up to sweep toys out of sight. The myWall® panels accommodate various shelving options and bins that can all be repositioned as needed. Additional storage and display options are strategically provided around the room to store sheet music or display art projects on any of three magnetic panels. GROWTH While the young artist experiments with media or music, he can also adapt this space to complement his experiences. The myWall® panels promote easy transformation and expansion, offer unlimited options, and keep shelving at an optimum height as he grows. All the furniture rolls on casters so the room can sustain the action during a play date or be completely re-imagined if the family wants a makeover. SAFETY The elements in this large open space are all designed to enfold a young boy in a playful, creative and safe place. The modular components on the myWall® panels are all locked securely in place no matter what they store. The custom drop-down table includes two safety latches to prevent unintentional opening. The floor drop doors are all equipped with slow glide closing hinges so no fingers will be trapped.

Transitional laundry room photo in Miami

Media rooms don't have to be dark to be inviting and cozy, and our clients did NOT want the usual media room colors. So we designed a glamorous and inviting retreat in hues of cream, silver and gold accents. Three of the seats recline for the ultimate viewing experience. Custom created art work completes the look and ties the pillow fabrics together.

To eliminate an inconsistent layout, we removed the wall dividing the dining room from the living room and added a polished brass and ebonized wood handrail to create a sweeping view into the living room. To highlight the family’s passion for reading, we created a beautiful library with custom shelves flanking a niche wallpapered with Flavor Paper’s bold Glow print with color-coded book spines to add pops of color. Tom Dixon pendant lights, acrylic chairs, and a geometric hide rug complete the look.