It’s not every day that you see two homes adjoined by a shared family room that not only divides each home but also brings a family together. This southern style home, located in the heart of Lilburn, encompasses the farmhouse feel with the necessity of sophistication. Sliding barn doors, board and batten trim, mud room lockers, and even bedroom bunks are only some of the selections that make this house feel like a home.

Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW As with most projects, it all started with the kitchen layout. The home owners came to us wanting to upgrade their kitchen and overall aesthetic in their suburban home, with a combination of fresh paint, updated finishes, and improved flow for more ease when doing everyday activities. A monochromatic, earth-toned palette left the kitchen feeling uninspired. It lacked the brightness they wanted from their space. An eat-in table underutilized the available square footage. The butler’s pantry was out of the way and hard to access, and the dining room felt detached from the kitchen. Lead Designer, Stephanie Cole, saw an improved layout for the spaces that were no longer working for this family. By eliminating an existing wall between the kitchen and dining room, and relocating the bar area to the dining room, we opened up the kitchen, providing all the space we needed to create a dreamy and functional layout. A new perimeter configuration promoted circulation while also making space for a large and functional island loaded with seating – a must for any family. Because an island that isn’t big enough for everyone (and a few more) is a recipe for disaster. The light white cabinetry is fresh and contrasts with the deeper tones in the wood flooring, creating a modern aesthetic that is elevated, yet approachable for everyday living. With better flow as the overarching goal, we made some structural changes too. To remove a bottleneck in the entryway, we angled one of the dining room walls to create more natural separation between rooms and facilitate ease of movement throughout the large space. At The Kitchen Studio, we believe a well-designed kitchen uses every square inch to the fullest. By starting from scratch, it was possible to rethink the entire kitchen layout and design the space according to how it is used, because the kitchen shouldn’t make it harder to feed the family. A new location for the existing range, flanked by a new column refrigerator and freezer on each side, worked to anchor the space. The very large and very spacious island (a dream island if we do say so ourselves) now houses the primary sink and provides ample space for food prep and family gathering. The new kitchen table and coordinating banquette seating provide a cozy nook for quick breakfasts before school or work, and evening homework sessions. Elegant gold details catch the natural light, elevating the aesthetic. The dining room was transformed into one of this client’s favorite spaces and we couldn’t agree more. We saw an opportunity to give the dining room a more distinguished identity by closing off the entrance from the foyer. The relocated wet bar enhances the sophisticated vibe of this gathering space, complete with beautiful antique mirror tiles and open shelving encased by moody built-in cabinets. Updated furnishings add warmth. A rich walnut table is paired with custom chairs in a muted coral fabric. The large, transitional chandelier grounds the room, pairing beautifully with the gold finishes prevalent in the faucet and cabinet hardware. Linen-inspired wallpaper and cream-toned window treatments add to the glamorous feel of this entertainment space. There is no way around it. The laundry room was cramped. The large washer and dryer blocked access to the sink and left little room for the space to serve its other essential function – as a mudroom. Because we reworked the kitchen layout to create more space overall, we could rethink the mudroom too – an essential for any busy family. The first step was moving the washer and dryer to an existing area on the second floor, where most of the family’s laundry lives (no one wants to carry laundry up and down the stairs if they don’t have to anyway). This is a more functional solution and opened up the space for all the mudroom necessities – including the existing kitchen refrigerator, loads of built-in cubbies, and a bench. It’s hard to not fall in love with every detail of a new space, especially when it serves your day-to-day life. But that doesn’t mean the clients didn’t have their favorite features they use on the daily. This remodel was focused largely on function with a new kitchen layout. And it’s the functional features that have the biggest impact. The large island provides much needed workspace in the kitchen and is a spot where everyone gathers together – it grounds the space and the family. And the custom counter stools are the icing on the cake. The nearby mudroom has everything their previous space was lacking – ample storage, space for everyone’s essentials, and the beloved cement floor tiles that are both durable and artistic.

Two bedrooms became a master suite that breathes “aaahhhh” with a quiet blue and neutral color palette, super-soft floor rug, and cozy velvet chair. The durable, low-maintenance master bath, which retains another bedroom’s unique footprint, features vanity with wash-up and mirrored makeup area on opposite ends, and built-in cubbies for daily necessities. The ombre-tile and Corian shower and Corian countertops ensure easy clean up. ---- Project designed by Minneapolis interior design studio LiLu Interiors. They serve the Minneapolis-St. Paul area including Wayzata, Edina, and Rochester, and they travel to the far-flung destinations that their upscale clientele own second homes in. ---- For more about LiLu Interiors, click here: https://www.liluinteriors.com/ ---- To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.liluinteriors.com/blog/portfolio-items/city-charm-master-suite/

2011 NARI CAPITAL COTY MERIT AWARD WINNER This couple lived in their colonial home in Burke, Virginia, for more than 20 years. Now that their children were grown and gone, it was time for them to pay more attention to their home. First on their list was to renovate their master bathroom. Tight and dysfunctional is how they described the existing space. The homeowners always dreamed of having a whirlpool, a large steam shower and a private toilet area. Importantly, they wanted to use the latest products and materials to bring the bathroom into the 21st Century. Starting with exotic granite and porcelain tile from floor to ceiling, the new design does just that. Then, a highly sophisticated steam shower using granite benches, a heavy glass enclosure, chrome faucets and a rain shower head was installed. Modern body spray heads are embedded in the wall tiles. The shower is complemented by a bubble, jetted whirlpool tub with granite surrounds. A modern double vanity with vessel sinks, a granite countertop, high end cabinets and stylish faucets rest along one wall. Custom-built, recessed mirrored medicine cabinets provide storage for necessities. In the end, the homeowners are thrilled with the outcome and never imagined that their old and dark looking small bath could ever be transformed into such beautiful bathroom.

What started as a full gut-to-studs renovation turned into a one-of-a-kind, personality-packed bathroom. The client craved color and drama, leading to a bold design anchored by a striking faux blue marble shower—instantly creating a luxe, high-impact focal point. To balance the energy of the shower tile, a soft, textured wallpaper in a shimmering blue hue was added to the main walls, offering depth, elegance, and a calming contrast. The shimmer in the wallpaper catches the light beautifully and sets the tone for the rest of the space. But the true showstopper? A fully custom-designed floating sink, sculpted specifically for this layout. What began as a functional necessity—maximizing counter space while preserving a clear walkway—evolved into a stunning design feature. With graceful curves and a sleek, transitional profile, the sink blends utility and artistry, proving that thoughtful design can elevate even the most practical elements. This bathroom is now a perfect blend of boldness and balance, where every material and detail serves a purpose—and turns heads.

Lacking adequate space for their growing family, the homeowners hired DJL Builders to add on to the side of their home and update the existing layout. DJL Builders built a master bedroom retreat with an en suite bathroom, updated windows and flooring throughout the home as well as creating a custom-built desk and mudroom off the garage to help keep everyday necessities organized. The kitchen was rejuvenated with new countertops, backsplash and cabinetry. Photo by: Natalie Cooper

The two vanities and floor-to-ceiling cabinetry allows for bathroom necessities to be stored.
Alcove shower - large traditional master ceramic tile, multicolored floor and single-sink alcove shower idea in Milwaukee with recessed-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, a one-piece toilet, gray walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops, a niche and a built-in vanity

Custom Outdoor Kitchen in Kleinburg, Ontario. This kitchen was custom built into the pool cabana in order to maximize entertaining space. Complete with all the outdoor necessities, it is both beautiful and functional.

The home office has quickly become a necessity for many. We can design an office that suits your every need! . . . #payneandpayne #homebuilder #homeoffice #homeofficedesign #custombuild #homeofficedecor #officeshelves #ohiohomebuilders #ohiocustomhomes #officesofinsta #clevelandbuilders #beachwoodohio #AtHomeCLE . .?@paulceroky

This bright and light kitchen project required us extending the kitchen into the dinette area and removing a window to get a better flow. Luckily there were 3 large windows, so we decided removing one wouldn't significantly decrease the amount of natural light. It was a good trade for form and function. The refrigerator and pantry cabinets now occupy the previous dinette & 3rd window space. We were able to increase the work surfaces to create a much more useable kitchen that fit all the necessities and even had room for extra. We added pull outs and functional accessories to make it an easy to use space. We supplemented the natural light with a solar tube and plenty of installed light with 2 sizes of adjustable output and temperature LED ceiling cans for layers of light.

Project: Pelton Avenue - Coquitlam Builder: Furtado Contracting About this Project We partnered up with Furtado Contracting to transform the main floor and foyer of this Greater Vancouver classic home. Also referred to as the “Vancouver Special” this style of home was popular in the 60’s-80’s and has been re-decorated and renovated ever since. Layout Details: By eliminating the wall between the dining room and kitchen, and reducing the length of the hallway wall, we were able to create a large open concept space. The previous u-shape kitchen turned into a large galley kitchen, which allowed us to incorporate an island with seating for four. With the major appliances being housed on the window wall, we designed a large pantry space spanning from wall-to-wall to store all the necessities from food to cleaning supplies. Its niche not only breaks up the cabinets to add some personality but can be used as a wine/coffee area. On the far end of the kitchen, the pantry wall extends to a narrow cabinet that has been designed to act as a mudroom; a place for shoes and jackets near the back door. At the back of the kitchen you will also find a working space, that has been tied into the fridge area with some careful space planning. Material Details: The living room and foyer received an upgrade with new flooring, light fixtures, paint, and a converted fireplace to A/V wall with a rustic wooden mantle. In the kitchen, woodgrain cabinets made from durable laminate are paired with painted materials. A 1” shaker door painted in our favourite Benjamin Moore “Silver Satin” is seen on the upper cabinets only. This special detail is complimented with bronze knobs by Marathon Hardware. The same colour is seen on the pantry wall in a slab door, making it sleeker. The island is painted in Benjamin Moore “Black Pepper”, is paired with bronze hardware by Marathon Hardware and is clad in quartz, Silestone’s “Calcatta Gold” to be specific. Quartz is a go-to material if maintenance is not your thing! Special Mentions: There are so many amazing things about this project. All the light fixtures were supplied by Robinson Lighting, and include Canadian company Kuzco Lighting, as seen in the kitchen, entry and foyer. The black accents on the sink by Blanco and faucet by Grohe added some contrast against the backsplash by Julian Tile.

Eight on 10th offers modern living in a fantastic location with easy access to food/drink, fun and necessities. These two bedroom + den urban homes are highlighted by open floor plans, sophisticated designer finishes, spa inspired bathrooms and gourmet kitchens. Walls of windows capture an abundance of natural light and generously sized, fresh-air roof top decks allow you to entertain above it all with friends and family.

Simplicity and elegance merge in the beautiful Ivy Vanity. Available in an array of finishes to suit your personal taste, this piece features clean lines, practical functionality and quality construction. Its thoughtful design allows for easy installation in your bathroom as well as ample storage for your towels, toiletries and other bathroom necessities.

The Designs2Go Xtra Storage 3 Tier Metal Shelving brings you easy storage access. Featuring 3 generous open shelves that allow you to display Knick knacks or easily store books for every day necessities. This piece combines durability with functionality. Whether you use it in the living room, or any other room it'll be sure to make a statement.

The homeowners wanted to achieve a larger shower, better storage and more vanity space, as well as retain a tub. They also wanted a better integration of the master bath & bedroom. The preferred aesthetic was a warm, comfortable, spa-like space. This quickly led to the concept of a Japanese bath. As the design work began, there was a necessity to bring a soothing sound of flowing water into the bath. The spa feel was further enhanced with the incorporation of teak vanities, stone tile, a Japanese soaking tub and Shoji screen inspired door to the water closet. This relaxing theme flowed into the bedroom with a consistent color scheme and Asian influenced hardware on the cabinetry. FotoGrafik Arts

Upstairs, a primary ensuite with walk-in closet is completely reconfigured to provide better flow and efficient use of space. While modest in size, the walk in shower boasts elevated and thoughtful design elements including convenient valve placement, spa-like rain shower head, a custom shower niche with accent tile to store shower necessities.

Build new deck w/ 2x 20' ramps covering a total drop of 20". Creating a center space to entertain while providing a .5"/12" slope for the ramps, allowing them to walk with ease up and down as needed. Also accommodating half steps anywhere steps are a necessity.

Pretty in pink ? There’s no better place for a pink vanity than in a teenage girl’s bathroom! Our clients chose a slim shaker cabinet door profile & a design with plenty of storage for all of their daughter’s necessities. Paint Color: Inspired by SW 9001 Audrey’s Blush

Compact bathroom with all of the necessities!
Bathroom - small contemporary master white tile and ceramic tile medium tone wood floor, brown floor and single-sink bathroom idea in Houston with flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, granite countertops, beige countertops and a built-in vanity