Real estate photos - Public Domain
Patio fountain - mediterranean brick patio fountain idea in Denver with a pergola

Eat-in kitchen - farmhouse light wood floor, brown floor and exposed beam eat-in kitchen idea in Boston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and blue countertops

Mike Kaskel
Mid-sized beach style l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen photo in Jacksonville with a single-bowl sink, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, blue backsplash, paneled appliances, an island, recessed-panel cabinets and subway tile backsplash

Designer: Mady Lopez | Photographer: Sarah Utech
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room remodel in Chicago with beige walls

Designer: Mady Lopez | Photographer: Sarah Utech
Example of a mid-sized transitional open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room design in Chicago with beige walls

Living room - coastal medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room idea in Jacksonville with white walls and a wall-mounted tv

Living room - rustic living room idea in DC Metro

Photo: Alexandra Crafton © 2016 Houzz Wall paint: Moonlight White, Benjamin Moore; trim: Simply White, Benjamin Moore; bed: JC Penney; blinds: Lowe's (in store, cut to size); dressers: Askvoll, Ikea; duvet: Pottery Barn; sheets: Target; Mexican blanket: Gunn and Swain; wallpaper: Kalahari Vignettes, Anthropologie; shelving: Home Depot

  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

Classic Craftsman home in South Tampa, Florida. Exterior paint color is Sherwin Williams Naval Blue, SW6244. Photo by Fastpix.
Example of a mid-sized arts and crafts blue two-story concrete fiberboard house exterior design in Tampa with a hip roof and a shingle roof

Greenberg Construction Location: Mountain View, CA, United States Our clients wanted to create a beautiful and open concept living space for entertaining while maximized the natural lighting throughout their midcentury modern Mackay home. Light silvery gray and bright white tones create a contemporary and sophisticated space; combined with elegant rich, dark woods throughout. Removing the center wall and brick fireplace between the kitchen and dining areas allowed for a large seven by four foot island and abundance of light coming through the floor to ceiling windows and addition of skylights. The custom low sheen white and navy blue kitchen cabinets were designed by Segale Bros, with the goal of adding as much organization and access as possible with the island storage, drawers, and roll-outs. Black finishings are used throughout with custom black aluminum windows and 3 panel sliding door by CBW Windows and Doors. The clients designed their custom vertical white oak front door with CBW Windows and Doors as well.

Kris Palen
Mid-sized elegant underground medium tone wood floor and brown floor basement photo in Dallas with beige walls

Photo by Tim Williams
Mid-sized trendy freestanding desk medium tone wood floor study room photo in New York with beige walls

Example of a mid-sized cottage open concept and formal dark wood floor and brown floor living room design in Calgary with gray walls, no fireplace and no tv

Photo: Mars Photo and Design © 2017 Houzz. Underneath the basement stairs is the perfect spot for a custom designed and built bed that has lots of storage. The unique stair railing was custom built and adds interest in the basement remodel done by Meadowlark Design + Build.

Studio H-Steven W. Heili Interiors
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary guest carpeted bedroom remodel in Minneapolis with gray walls and no fireplace

The Jamie bean bag provides you or your child a comfortable seat in any room. The puncture-proof microfiber cover is durable for any child with a combination of long-lasting polystyrene beans. Perfect for the bedroom, home theater rooms, family and game rooms. Features Navy blue Faux suede microfiber with polystyrene beans Cover is double-stitched along all seams and is not removable; also includes hidden stitching and seams Double zipper is added for durability and then sealed shut for safety Puncture proof Made in the US Dimensions: 16" D x 16" W x 16" H Great Deal Furniture

Another excellent example of mixing the old and new. A treasured family piecrust table sits comfortably under modern collages and a contemporary lamp. Collectibles from the couples travels make interesting and personal accessories.

A built in desk in the kitchen area functions as command central for the family's activities.
Example of a large cottage l-shaped dark wood floor eat-in kitchen design in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, quartzite countertops, gray backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island