Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Bathrooms come in all shapes and sizes and each project has its unique challenges. This master bath remodel was no different. The room had been remodeled about 20 years ago as part of a large addition and consists of three separate zones – 1) tub zone, 2) vanity/storage zone and 3) shower and water closet zone. The room layout and zones had to remain the same, but the goal was to make each area more functional. In addition, having comfortable access to the tub and seating in the tub area was also high on the list, as the tub serves as an important part of the daily routine for the homeowners and their special needs son. We started out in the tub room and determined that an undermount tub and flush deck would be much more functional and comfortable for entering and exiting the tub than the existing drop in tub with its protruding lip. A redundant radiator was eliminated from this room allowing room for a large comfortable chair that can be used as part of the daily bathing routine. In the vanity and storage zone, the existing vanities size neither optimized the space nor provided much real storage. A few tweaks netted a much better storage solution that now includes cabinets, drawers, pull outs and a large custom built-in hutch that houses towels and other bathroom necessities. A framed custom mirror opens the space and bounces light around the room from the large existing bank of windows. We transformed the shower and water closet room into a large walk in shower with a trench drain, making for both ease of access and a seamless look. Next, we added a niche for shampoo storage to the back wall, and updated shower fixtures to give the space new life. The star of the bathroom is the custom marble mosaic floor tile. All the other materials take a simpler approach giving permission to the beautiful circular pattern of the mosaic to shine. White shaker cabinetry is topped with elegant Calacatta marble countertops, which also lines the shower walls. Polished nickel fixtures and sophisticated crystal lighting are simple yet sophisticated, allowing the beauty of the materials shines through. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

This is what an oasis at your home could look like! Truly a calming and attractive remodel that will have you wanting to be in your bathroom for hours! We also took a step further with 3 niches to make sure there is space for all bath necessities.

This beautifully sited Colonial captures the essence of the serene and sophisticated Webster Hill neighborhood. Stunning architectural design and a character-filled interior will serve with distinction and grace for years to come. Experience the full effect of the family room with dramatic cathedral ceiling, built-in bookcases and grand brick fireplace. The open floor plan leads to a spacious kitchen equipped with stainless steel appliances. The dining room with built-in china cabinets and a generously sized living room are perfect for entertaining. Exceptional guest accommodations or alternative master suite are found in a stunning renovated second floor addition with vaulted ceiling, sitting room, luxurious bath and custom closets. The fabulous mudroom is a true necessity for today's living. The spacious lower level includes play room and game room, full bath, and plenty of storage. Enjoy evenings on the screened porch overlooking the park-like grounds abutting conservation land.

Timeless collectables, memorable artifacts, or the daily necessities; the Shaker Storage Coat Hook and Bench stores it all. This chocolate brown set can be used in the mud room, entryway or anywhere you need a bit more organization. Hook: 36"W x 9"D x 14"H, Bench: 36"W x 14"D x 18"H. Sit on the bench to put on or remove your shoes; store your keys, gloves and more in the storage hook's cubbies. Eight hooks for all your coats and accessories. The coat hook is fully assembled and includes a French cleat for easy hanging; the bench is sturdy and easy to assemble.

Arched storage niches were created on each side of the bed to hold a book, alarm clock, and a glass of water as there is limited space in the opening that contains the bed. The crystal sconces, with color matched switches, offer reading lights or ambiance lighting on a dimmer as a table lamp is not an option given the space constraints. A petite table, on one side, provides additional storage for nighttime necessities. Photography Cynthia Chung

Who doesn't love a second kitchen?! This basement bar has all the necessities! A fridge, dishwasher, sink! Plus the wood top bar and wall-mounted flat-screen TV are nice features when entertaining!

Located in the charming High Pines neighborhood, this project was born out of necessity and vision. The homeowners—a couple with three young daughters—had outgrown their dated home but found that the cost and compromises of buying a new property in Miami simply didn’t make sense. Instead, they chose to invest in a full-scale renovation, tailored to enhance their lifestyle, maximize space, and modernize every corner of their home. The transformation included opening up the kitchen to create more connected living spaces, enclosing a discreet laundry room, remodeling all bedrooms and bathrooms, creating a resort-style outdoor retreat with a new pool, patio, and outdoor kitchen, and building an 800-square-foot master suite addition. The result is a cohesive, family-friendly design that balances style, comfort, and function. Main Living Areas At the heart of the home, the kitchen showcases custom Shaker-style cabinetry, sleek quartz countertops, and a spacious central island designed for entertaining. Pendant lights above the island add warmth and character, while linear diffusers subtly enhance airflow. Custom refrigerator panels create a cohesive, high-end aesthetic, all set atop durable wood-look porcelain tile flooring that extends throughout the living spaces. Flowing effortlessly into the living room, the open-concept design promotes comfort and sophistication. Recessed and linear LED lighting highlight a striking tropical wood feature wall, while a wood slat divider adds architectural interest and provides subtle separation without sacrificing openness. Hidden within this feature wall is a discreet door leading to a new, efficiently designed laundry room. Master Suite Addition A major highlight of the renovation is the luxurious 800-square-foot master suite addition, a serene retreat offering privacy and indulgence. The master bedroom features linear LED lights, elegant pendant lighting, and a space-saving pocket door that enhances flow. The adjoining master bathroom evokes a spa-like atmosphere, with a massive shower and built-in steam room as the centerpiece. A bold black-and-white geometric tile pattern brings striking visual contrast, complemented by globe-style light fixtures, a sleek vanity, dark wood cabinetry, and soft-toned hexagon tile flooring. A custom walk-in closet with tailored cabinetry completes the suite with a blend of organization and luxury. Outdoor Living The outdoor space was completely reimagined to function as an extension of the home—ideal for both relaxation and entertaining. The redesigned pool features a modern aesthetic with a party bench and sun shelf. The patio ceiling is finished in Thermo Wood Ayous for a warm, natural feel, while the gourmet outdoor kitchen boasts porcelain countertops, dark blue cabinetry with stainless steel hardware, and a high-end stainless steel grill. Additional Spaces Throughout the home, the existing bedrooms and bathrooms were fully renovated to meet the needs of the growing family. Custom mahogany and painted Shaker-style vanities, porcelain tile, glass shower enclosures, new doors, flooring, and upgraded closet systems bring functionality and design into every corner. Curb Appeal The renovation begins at the front door with a striking modern tropical wood entry, porcelain tile pathway, and a stucco clapboard façade. Rich Thermo Wood Ayous soffits add depth and warmth to the exterior, creating a welcoming and cohesive aesthetic that hints at the thoughtful transformation within.

While we may normally think of it as a mere, functional necessity, creative use of outdoor patio lights can not only give a great look to your patio but also make your summer evenings more pleasurable. Cool outdoor/patio lighting ideas can help you to get more use as well as enjoyment from your outdoor living spaces. Some of such outdoor and patio lighting ideas are presented below: Star Lit Floors: You can use fiber optic lighting to give your deck the star lit sky effect. In this type of lighting, light would travel through thin flexible cables, ending in points of light which are inserted into small holes drilled in the decking. The cables and lights are safe to use in all weather conditions since there is no electricity or heat conducted. This can also be done as a good DIY project, if you are so inclined. Lighting the Way: This type of deck lighting cannot just add safety but also help extend the deck party time. Post-mounted fixtures can provide ambient lighting and also signal the locations of the railings. You can use low-voltage LED fixtures operating on 12 volts which is much safer than the regular household level of 120 volts. Movable Deck-Standing Lighting: An over-sized floor-standing lamp that is designed for outdoor use can light up the whole deck sitting area using a 250 watts halogen lamp. This fixture can be made waterproof with an aluminum base, galvanized steel frame and a plastic shade. Stability in windy conditions can be ensured with adequate use of lead weights. String Lights: These can go up in any location including patios in order to offer versatility as well as style. String lights are easily available in many styles and sizes and the wiring does not need to be concealed, since it is a part of the fixture itself. Low-voltage (12 volts) or the regular (120 volts) lights can be used, as suitable. Although a bit expensive initially, outdoor solar powered lights can also be used which will save money in the long run, since they don't use the grid electricity. Combination Light and Ceiling Fan: Keep your covered patio cool and stylish at the same time with a combination light and ceiling fan. The fan would need a 120 volts supply so you could use that to power the light as well. The wires can easily be concealed by painting them to match with the woodwork and/or running them along the framing members. Patio Stairway Lights: As you may be aware, many municipality building codes require you to light exterior deck, patio and entrance stairways. This sensible safety measure can be achieved with easy and style using motion-activated lighting. These bright LED lights would automatically turn on when they detect motion a few feet away and then turn off after the delay of a pre-set number of seconds. They can be easily installed anywhere with the help of screws or double-sided tape. Put any of these ideas for outdoor patio lights to good use – wish you all the best.

Rob and Danielle have three children and wanted a kitchen redesign that would function better for their active household. Their kitchen contained tight spaces with a narrow island that blocked flow through the room. Two cooks in the kitchen were one too many as the space wasn’t conducive for it. For entertaining, the island proved to be too small to set out all their food and have room around it for guests to congregate. The only way to walk to the great room, which was where the family hung out most often, was to go through the kitchen and dining area, proving to again congest the area. They are avid sailors, and wanted to bring in the color of the sea into their contemporary design. I added a separate entry point directly from the kitchen to the great room, and created a work triangle in a separate area to relieve the congestion from people passing through the room. The island shape and size were uniquely designed to allow the person at the sink to be able to look directly into the great room, and provide ample space to spread out food for entertaining. A bookcase was integrated into the island to display cookbooks, and the paneled refrigerator made for a seamless wall of beautiful cabinetry. The entry into the formal dining was relocated to remove the necessity of having corner cabinetry. A separate bar area allows family and guests to make their drinks without needing to go into the chef’s space. The glass backsplash tile was selected to reflect the sea colors they love, with crystal pendants to add bling similar to the light that reflects off the water.

This expansive open-concept finished basement by Craftsworth Construction in West Chester, PA transforms over 2,000 square feet of below-grade space into a bright, functional lower level built for the way families actually live. Structural columns were wrapped in custom millwork with decorative bases, turning a necessity into an architectural feature. Built-in shelving lines the walls for display and storage, while luxury vinyl plank flooring runs throughout for a seamless, waterproof foundation. A herringbone carpet runner on the staircase with stained hardwood treads and white-painted balusters connects the upper and lower levels with style. Recessed LED lighting keeps the entire space feeling open, airy, and anything but underground. From movie nights to holiday gatherings, this basement was designed to be the most used room in the house.

Timeless collectables, memorable artifacts, or the daily necessities; the Shaker Storage Coat Hook and Bench stores it all. This chocolate brown set can be used in the mud room, entryway or anywhere you need a bit more organization. Hook: 36"W x 9"D x 14"H, Bench: 36"W x 14"D x 18"H. Sit on the bench to put on or remove your shoes; store your keys, gloves and more in the storage hook's cubbies. Eight hooks for all your coats and accessories. The coat hook is fully assembled and includes a French cleat for easy hanging; the bench is sturdy and easy to assemble.

Love using these reversible morphing pattern bins in the bedroom. Great way to keep the little necessities of life organized.
Bedroom - mid-sized modern medium tone wood floor bedroom idea in Salt Lake City

This gorgeous Chattanooga Exteriors covered patio seamlessly combines elements of luxury, design, and necessity to create the perfect at-home getaway. We were able to achieve this look with stamped concrete flooring, a Horizon Stone TV wall, James Hardie siding, tongue and groove porch ceiling, cedar posts, and a brick fire pit.

We have experience renovating and building hundreds of bathrooms, from complete teardown and custom builds to updating old bathrooms to have the latest necessities. We keep all of our construction sites clean and orderly so that you never have to worry about dirt or debris spreading to your home.

The butler's pantry was a necessity with the lack of upper storage space in the main kitchen. This compact space makes up for it all in spades! Glass uppers with under cabinet lighting, a bar sink, ice maker, and storage drawers below provide ample storage for dishes and pantry items.

Custom shower niche with marble border and shelf, perfect for holding all of those shower necessities.
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary master gray tile and ceramic tile ceramic tile bathroom remodel in Toronto with a drop-in sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, laminate countertops, a two-piece toilet and gray walls

A fateful meeting in Australia led a young couple to starting a successful tasting room in Rochester, NY. The rapid growth of their business model led to the necessity to produce their own wine locally. Once an ideal site was found the dream of building their production facility and tasting room began to take form. The vaulted public space is perched on top of a 20 foot tall foundation wall allowing for tanks, pallet storage, as well as the ability to bottle wine on site. The use of natural materials was an important part of acknowledging the local vernacular and helping the building integrate into the landscape. A trip to Hammondsport would not be complete without a visit to this modern vineyard. Enjoy some wine tasting and take in one of the most spectacular views of Keuka Lake.

David Ross, Barend Roberts
Bedroom - contemporary bedroom idea in Other

A classic Portland foursquare, lovingly owned by an active and lively family of four, had undergone some unfortunate previous renovations that were in desperate need of updating. A cramped kitchen layout, lacking countertop work space, non-functional appliance locations (the range was floating on it’s own!), cramped kitchen nook not large enough for eat-in space and therefor left underutilized, and a general lack of storage all needed to be addressed. To increase functional space, we enclosed a small back porch and re-built the adjacent nook, folding in the square footage to create an expansive kitchen footprint. We relocated the back door and added a back deck while creating space for a mud bench for littles to tuck away their gear! The enlarged kitchen now boasts a extensive natural light thanks to the addition of several windows. An easy work flow was created within the new kitchen layout featuring an in-island sink with range and hood flanked by matching windows. Custom cabinet accessories make storage a breeze and provide a space for all the necessities to be right at the homeowner’s fingertips. The eat-in kitchen space allows not only for lingering family chats, but homework and craft projects to be done while dinner simmers on the stove. This kitchen truly is the heart of this home! All of the updates were completed with the home’s original foursquare architecture in mind. with a focus on classic architectural molding styles, traditional window details, and clean-lined classic fixtures. Youthfulness and modernity are infused into the space with the contemporary handmade tile backsplash, rich and timeless green cabinets, and artistic wallpaper with a whimsical floral print and subtle European nod. The custom range in cream and brass is a stunning showstopper and a testament that even the most functional of elements in a kitchen can still be beautiful! Which one is the star of the show? How do we pick just one?!