New Yorkers are always on the prowl for innovative ways to make the most of the space they have. An upper east side couple, challenged with a slightly narrow L shaped apartment sought out Decor Aid’s help to make the most of their Manhattan condo. Paired with one of our senior designer, Kimberly P., we learned that the clients wanted a space that looked beautiful, comfortable and also packed with functionality for everyday living. “Immediately upon seeing the space, I knew that we needed to create a narrative that allowed the design to control how you moved through the space,” reports Kimberly, senior interior designer. After surveying each room and learning a bit more about their personal style, we started with the living room remodel. It was clear that the couple wanted to infuse mid-century modern into the design plan. Sourcing the Room & Board Jasper Sofa with its narrow arms and tapered legs, it offered the mid-century look, with the modern comfort the clients are used to. Velvet accent pillows from West Elm and Crate & Barrel add pops of colors but also a subtle touch of luxury, while framed pictures from the couple’s honeymoon personalize the space. Moving to the dining room next, Kimberly decided to add a blue accent wall to emphasize the Horchow two piece Percussion framed art that was to be the focal point of the dining area. The Seno sideboard from Article perfectly accentuated the mid-century style the clients loved while providing much-needed storage space. The palette used throughout both rooms were very New York style, grays, blues, beiges, and whites, to add depth, Kimberly sourced decorative pieces in a mixture of different metals. “The artwork above their bureau in the bedroom is photographs that her father took,” Moving into the bedroom renovation, our designer made sure to continue to stick to the client’s style preference while once again creating a personalized, warm and comforting space by including the photographs taken by the client’s father. The Avery bed added texture and complimented the other colors in the room, while a hidden drawer at the foot pulls out for attached storage, which thrilled the clients. A deco-inspired Faceted mirror from West Elm was a perfect addition to the bedroom due to the illusion of space it provides. The result was a bedroom that was full of mid-century design, personality, and area so they can freely move around. The project resulted in the form of a layered mid-century modern design with touches of luxury but a space that can not only be lived in but serves as an extension of the people who live there. Our designer was able to take a very narrowly shaped Manhattan apartment and revamp it into a spacious home that is great for sophisticated entertaining or comfortably lazy nights in.

5'6" × 7'-0" room with Restoration Hardware "Hutton" vanity (36"w x 24"d) and "Hutton" mirror, sconces by Waterworks "Newel", shower size 36" x 36" with 22" door, HansGrohe "Axor Montreux" shower set. Wall paint is "pearl white" by Pratt & Lambert and wood trim is "white dove" eggshell from Benjamin Moore. Wall tiles are 3"x6" honed, carrara marble with inset hexagonals for the niche. Coved ceiling - walls are curved into a flat ceiling.

Located on a sprawling 50-acre equestrian estate in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, a historic barn ruin was meticulously transformed into a luxurious, one-of-a-kind residence. This exquisite home beautifully marries the rustic charm of traditional post-and-beam construction with the elegance of modern luxury. Central to the design is a deep respect for the site’s heritage. The home incorporates reclaimed wood and stone salvaged from the property alongside new materials, carefully integrated into the architecture to preserve the narrative of a Pennsylvania bank barn. The thoughtful use of materials ensures the legacy of the barn is honored while elevating it to meet the standards of modern living. Serving as a testament to timeless craftsmanship, the converted barn residence features post-and-beam construction. The home’s design offers a harmonious blend of intimate living spaces and expansive entertaining areas. Four comfortable bedrooms provide ample accommodation, while the open concept main level seamlessly connects to a lower level entertainment space. The lower level opens to the courtyard and pool deck, creating a resort-like retreat within the estate’s pastoral landscape. Indoor-outdoor flow makes it an ideal setting for gatherings and large-scale entertaining, all set against the backdrop of rural Bucks County’s serene surroundings.

Our journey with our client from Los Angeles to their new mountain retreat in Golden, Colorado was a fusion of California chic and mountain charm. With a keen eye for design and a deep understanding of our client's tastes, we seamlessly integrated their signature style into their new home, honoring both the existing architecture and their personal narrative.Nestled atop the breathtaking vistas of Golden, Colorado, our client's new abode provided the perfect canvas for our creative vision. Working with the rustic charm of the existing wood beams, we embarked on a transformation journey, painting the interior a crisp, modern white to evoke a sense of serenity and space. From the whimsical playroom to the child's bedroom, we expertly blended functionality with a modern aesthetic. In the primary suite, custom drapes and a canopy bed exude elegance, while the fully remodeled primary bath boasted a custom vanity, brass fixtures, and the exquisite Ann Sacks Lilac Mosaic marble collection, elevating every moment spent in this sanctuary. Their new home effortlessly blended the laid-back elegance of California with the rugged charm of the Colorado mountains, creating a haven that was uniquely theirs.

For more information on elements of this design please contact Lilia Fulton of Narrative Interiors: lilia.fulton@gmail.com Robert J. Schroeder Photography©2012

Photography by Peter Vanderwarker This Second Empire house is a narrative woven about its circulation. At the street, a quietly fanciful stoop reaches to greet one's arrival. Inside and out, Victorian details are playfully reinterpreted and celebrated in fabulous and whimsical spaces for a growing family - Double story kitchen with open cylindrical breakfast room Parents' and Children's libraries Secret playspaces Top floor sky-lit courtyard Writing room and hidden library Basement parking Media Room Landscape of exterior rooms: The site is conceived as a string of rooms: a landscaped drive-way court, a lawn for play, a sunken court, a serene shade garden, a New England flower garden. The stair grows out of the garden level ordering the surrounding rooms as it rises to a light filled courtyard at the Master suite on the top floor. On each level the rooms are arranged in a circuit around the stair core, making a series of distinct suites for the children, for the parents, and for their common activities.

http://www.target.com/p/-/A-52280410 A light and airy bedroom has summer written all over it, so here’s a fresh take from Nate Berkus: subtle patterns and new neutrals, like Blush. The trick? Layer geometric patterns in various shapes and sizes for max interest.

Matthew Millman
Inspiration for a contemporary entryway remodel in San Francisco

LauraChristinPhotography.com
Inspiration for a mid-sized eclectic boy carpeted kids' bedroom remodel in San Diego

Shoe storage under stairway
Example of a classic wooden staircase design in New York

The entire composition is tied together by a rich and elegant material palette that includes steel-troweled stucco, exposed concrete block, stainless steel railings, walnut millwork, cast glass partitions and Rheinzink. (Photo: Matthew Millman)

Example of a mid-sized transitional gender-neutral carpeted and beige floor nursery design in San Francisco with multicolored walls

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2012 Houzz Stark Carpet, AstekWallcovering Inc., C. Stasky Associates Ltd., Fine Arts Furniture Inc., Kyle Bunting, John Salibello Antiques, Nohra Haime Gallery, Interiors by Royale- Christopher Hyland, J. Robert Scott, Lladro, Stephen Antonson, Newel, K. Dale Turdo

Matthew Millman
Inspiration for a transitional dark wood floor dining room remodel in San Francisco with white walls

SDH Studio - Architecture and Design Location: Golden Beach, Florida, USA Located on a waterfront lot, this home was designed as a narrative of the family’s love for green, quiet and light infused spaces. The use of natural materials in its architecture emphasizes the relationship between the structure and its surroundings, while a sequence of private/public spaces lead to an oversized cantilevered overhang that integrates the interior living area to the landscape.

Photography by Eduard Hueber / archphoto North and south exposures in this 3000 square foot loft in Tribeca allowed us to line the south facing wall with two guest bedrooms and a 900 sf master suite. The trapezoid shaped plan creates an exaggerated perspective as one looks through the main living space space to the kitchen. The ceilings and columns are stripped to bring the industrial space back to its most elemental state. The blackened steel canopy and blackened steel doors were designed to complement the raw wood and wrought iron columns of the stripped space. Salvaged materials such as reclaimed barn wood for the counters and reclaimed marble slabs in the master bathroom were used to enhance the industrial feel of the space.

Felix Sanchez
Inspiration for a large transitional master white tile marble floor, white floor and double-sink bathroom remodel in Houston with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, blue walls, marble countertops, a hinged shower door and white countertops

For more information on elements of this design please contact Lilia Fulton of Narrative Interiors: lilia.fulton@gmail.com Robert J. Schroeder Photography©2012

Custom quartered ash Kitchen cabinetry with concealed pull at bottoms, lighted by cove lighting above & below, while accentuated by black granite countertop and backsplash draping down to the porcelain floor tile at opening. Video narrative: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9t7nY-c-7g