Search results for "Nicely surprisingly" in Home Design Ideas

This front garden space provides year-round color with no water. The design won a Silver Medal in the 2019 Association of Professional Landscape Designer's Residential Category. The owners love to sit in their private patio and watch the hummingbirds and bumblebees feast.

Pinnacle Mountain Homes, Collective Design + Furnishings
Example of a mountain style exterior home design in Denver
Example of a mountain style exterior home design in Denver

Location: Denver, CO, USA
Dado designed this 4,000 SF condo from top to bottom. A full-scale buildout was required, with custom fittings throughout. The brief called for design solutions that catered to both the client’s desire for comfort and easy functionality, along with a modern aesthetic that could support their bold and colorful art collection.
The name of the game - calm modernism. Neutral colors and natural materials were used throughout.
"After a couple of failed attempts with other design firms we were fortunate to find Megan Moore. We were looking for a modern, somewhat minimalist design for our newly built condo in Cherry Creek North. We especially liked Megan’s approach to design: specifically to look at the entire space and consider its flow from every perspective. Megan is a gifted designer who understands the needs of her clients. She spent considerable time talking to us to fully understand what we wanted. Our work together felt like a collaboration and partnership. We always felt engaged and informed. We also appreciated the transparency with product selection and pricing.
Megan brought together a talented team of artisans and skilled craftsmen to complete the design vision. From wall coverings to custom furniture pieces we were always impressed with the quality of the workmanship. And, we were never surprised about costs or timing.
We’ve gone back to Megan several times since our first project together. Our condo is now a Zen-like place of calm and beauty that we enjoy every day. We highly recommend Megan as a designer."
Dado Interior Design
Find the right local pro for your project

Raza and Baneen purchased their home in Schaumburg IL. knowing it needed work, but they saw the incredible potential it had with its expanse of beautiful kitchen windows and spacious floor plan.
The kitchen technically functioned fine, but was desperately outdated with its honey oak cabinets and plain countertops. This family loved to cook and host parties so it was an easy decision that the kitchen remodel was the first project they needed to tackle to make their home come to life.
Baneen had very specific ideas for her new dream kitchen and had been thinking about it for over 10 years! When they met Advance Design’s Project Designer Claudia Pop, Baneen felt an instant connection.
“From the first meeting, I knew that Claudia would guide us without putting down our ideas,” Baneen said.
The couple had two fears common among remodeling home owners: Would the project be done on time? And, would the project stay on budget? Advance Design was able to alleviate their fears early on, as Claudia shared the “Common Sense Remodeling” process. Raza and Baneen absolutely loved the custom project analysis that helped them understand how a budget could be accurately predicted and then safeguarded during the design process.
“Advance Design was spot on with both the budget and the project timeframe,” Baneen said. “Overall there were no surprises, and the budget was exactly what we were quoted. The experience was phenomenal, everybody was professional, everybody was courteous, everyone was nice, everyone was friendly. It wasn't stressful for us, they still left the house in a presentable state. It wasn't like we would come home and we were bring the kids in and it was going to be hazardous."
After the relationship was cemented, Raza, Baneen and Claudia began to finalize the kitchen design. The main objective was to create a functional space for preparing meals and to create an inviting space for their family and friends to enjoy, while incorporating interesting design elements such as the iconic blue island and reclaimed Chicago brick walls. Sufficient storage space was really important to Baneen, and high quality appliances were a priority. As the overall layout was being completed, together they reviewed each cabinet to determine exactly what would be stored there.
Because cooking was a high priority for this family, Claudia incorporated spice racks close to the range and included two mixer lift shelves for their larger countertop appliances.
The focal point of the kitchen is the striking blue island constructed from custom colored Dura Supreme cabinets. Designed with decorative shelving and a highly functional prep sink. The couple loves the “galley” prep sink, it adds even more functionality and significantly shortens preparation and cleaning time. This island also includes a 24" Bosch Dishwasher with matching panel to blend in.
"Aesthetically, and in terms of functionality, the island everything I imagined," Baneen said. "I love how beautiful it looks and how functional it is. It just brings everybody together."
The Praa Sands Quartz countertop with an ogee edge profile provides excellent contrast by blending it's subtle tones with the outer cabinetry. It ties the island together with the rest of the space. Overlooking the beautiful backyard through spacious windows, the crisp white farmhouse sink is something that Baneen envisioned in her kitchen for years.
Two tones of Dura Supreme Cabinetry were used throughout the rest of the kitchen. Chestnut Cherry cabinets grace the range and decorative range hood and as panels over the Wolf refrigerator and freezer. Antique White cabinets surround the perimeter, creating a warm balance that beckons guests into the softly rounded space.
Drawing the eye immediately to the custom wood hood hiding a powerful 1,500 CFM ventilation system and spectacular 60” Duel Fuel Wolf range, a creatively patterned Tessen in Café & Brine backsplash detail stands out from the white subway tile backsplash spanning the outer walls. The vibrant space reflects the lively personality of the family who now loves spending time both cooking and enjoying this kitchen as a family.
“The end result is a beautiful and extremely functional kitchen that is able to handle a growing family, lots of parties and lots of cooking,” Claudia said.
“Advance Design was wonderfully professional and a pleasure to work with. They catered to what my needs and ideas were, while skillfully guiding us to make the right choices where we seemed lost,” Baneen said.

This gem of a house was built in the 1950s, when its neighborhood undoubtedly felt remote. The university footprint has expanded in the 70 years since, however, and today this home sits on prime real estate—easy biking and reasonable walking distance to campus.
When it went up for sale in 2017, it was largely unaltered. Our clients purchased it to renovate and resell, and while we all knew we'd need to add square footage to make it profitable, we also wanted to respect the neighborhood and the house’s own history. Swedes have a word that means “just the right amount”: lagom. It is a guiding philosophy for us at SYH, and especially applied in this renovation. Part of the soul of this house was about living in just the right amount of space. Super sizing wasn’t a thing in 1950s America. So, the solution emerged: keep the original rectangle, but add an L off the back.
With no owner to design with and for, SYH created a layout to appeal to the masses. All public spaces are the back of the home--the new addition that extends into the property’s expansive backyard. A den and four smallish bedrooms are atypically located in the front of the house, in the original 1500 square feet. Lagom is behind that choice: conserve space in the rooms where you spend most of your time with your eyes shut. Put money and square footage toward the spaces in which you mostly have your eyes open.
In the studio, we started calling this project the Mullet Ranch—business up front, party in the back. The front has a sleek but quiet effect, mimicking its original low-profile architecture street-side. It’s very Hoosier of us to keep appearances modest, we think. But get around to the back, and surprise! lofted ceilings and walls of windows. Gorgeous.

The Erickson Farm - in Vancouver, Washington by Cascade West Development Inc.
Cascade West Facebook: https://goo.gl/MCD2U1
Cascade West Website: https://goo.gl/XHm7Un
These photos, like many of ours, were taken by the good people of ExposioHDR - Portland, Or
Exposio Facebook: https://goo.gl/SpSvyo
Exposio Website: https://goo.gl/Cbm8Ya

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Columbus, OH
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The realtor who uses me often called with a 'Can you do this this week' request... it was a small home in Paso that really needed definition, and needed proof that it was larger than it appears as vacant. With a small living area, at first sight I was concerned even my couches would be too large! By the time I positioned the living room furniture, it was larger, more roomy than even I expected! It's amazing to this day staging can even surprise me! This is a very nice livable home, with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a large back yard in a cul-de-sac. Run to see it, it's in a terrific location of Country Oaks! In the meantime, enjoy the Before and After photos! 3185 Sprucewood Ct., Paso Robles, CA

This bathroom was designed as a surprise for my client's parent! An amazing and thoughtful gift anyone would be so happy to come home to. Function was our main focus in this design. We removed the large garden tub to accommodate a larger shower with a standing shower with body sprays and on the other end a seated area with a handheld shower wand for flexible shower options. Since function was so key in this master bath, we put an ample amount of shower niches in both showering areas for all the body products you could need at your fingertips. The previous window was too large and clear glass that gave no privacy so we replaced the window to give some privacy and added a frosted window for even more privacy. This allowed us to install decorative grab bars for safety without sacrificing style. A barrier free shower entrance creates an easy way to get in and out without the need for a shower door. A timeless design with some french style accents in a neutral color palette round out this bathroom. The shower floor tile give is some pattern to complement the white wall tile. Accent wall behind the vanity for some texture and pattern as well as keeping water from being splashed onto the drywall. For the main bathroom floor we went with a large 24" square rectified porcelain tile to give the look of a natural stone with a little variation for a natural look but much lower maintenance than natural stone. To top off the vanity, bench seat, sills and pony walls we did a warm grey and white quartz for a nice overall pattern, again something to keep with a more timeless look. This was a great project and such a great improvement not only to the house but to the daily life of the user!

Murphy Bed Before & After
Murals are a great way of dressing up that space behind the murphy bed in your studio apartment, vacation home or guest bedroom.
"We own an ocean front condo on the Oregon coast as a vacation home. The condo has a murphy bed in the living room that pulls down from the wall. Before the mural there was simply a white painted wall behind the murphy bed. With the 'Beach Moon' mural guests will be surprised by the night time ocean setting. It’s almost like they’re sleeping on the beach. All in all it turned out very nice and we’re pleased with our purchase of the mural."
Joe & Cecilia C. - Vancouver, WA
Beach Moon
For more beach scenes, check out: http://www.magicmurals.com/subject/beach-tropical.html

Choosing an all-in-one studio apartment in New York City offers the best of all worlds. Bright and light with Upper West Side Hudson views keeps everyone connected to big city life and with convenience and style. By keeping the spaces open and consistent the impact of the sophisticated design shines through. A modern leather sectional sofa, wool and silk area rug and neutral upholstered bed tie the space nicely together giving everyone a surprise at how open and even spacious studio living can be.

Colonial reimagined!
This traditional New Jersey colonial style family home was in need of an update to fit the family’s needs. The living room specifically was stuffy and hardly used. The goal was to take this colonial traditional home and give it a new direction!
Where to start? The Floors!
This room was carpeted and just did not wear well- so we recommended a change in all the flooring to a new wood stained with a light touch. This provided the backdrop to make some major changes in the style of the room. The client’s were very trusting as we had worked with them before- and when we suggested a black greek key grasscloth- we were happily surprised they embraced the idea.
Sexy but comfortable
The client wanted to be able to come into this room for specific reasons- to read and relax without television, to play the piano and to entertain. The room needed a cozy and cohesive style and with comfortable furnishings and a place to display treasures. A bar was a nice touch too!

The Home
The Polaris is about coming home. The homeowner is a United States Air Force Academy alumnus and his family, who found the perfect location to overlook his alma mater. This home is built for today and tomorrow, with elevator and ADA access.
As you enter, sweeping Air Force Academy views greet you. The living area boasts a stunning fireplace wall, a crush-worthy kitchen and pantry and a lovely dining area. The mud room flows seamlessly into the master closet and kitchen. Along the way, a stop at the wine fridge is a nice perk. The office and second bedroom offer plenty of space for work and guests. With a gorgeous fire tray, grill area, infrared heaters and hot tub, the huge deck is a year-round destination.
The basement is built to play, but the homeowners can lock off part of it if they wish. The exercise room is decked out in Air Force
Academy blue flooring. The fun game room is next to the wet bar and walk-out rec room, with a powder room nearby. Two bedrooms
share a bathroom and have their own laundry room. A vault room under the front porch adds additional storage.
The Builder
Elevation Homes has been building custom homes in the Colorado Springs area for 18 years. We are a high-value, small team of experienced professionals who have the passion to take on the most complex projects. Our homes are built to the highest standards and are impeccably crafted for discerning customers. Our customers receive our personal attention through the entire process and we deliver exceptional service. We pride ourselves on being at the forefront of the homebuilding industry. We have recently obtained a Graduate Master Builder designation, one of only five awarded in the state of Colorado, in an effort to be educated about best building practices. The team also belongs to a National Association of Home Builders ‘Builder 20 Group’, a professional networking group that provides opportunities for collaboration and learning among builders. Additionally, we attend national building shows every year to remain current regarding the latest products and trends.
The Interior Design
Designer Jessica Brown at La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries pulled off the feat of making this home comfortable and stylish at the same time. This breathtaking house is bathed in warm, neutral earth tones, which is complemented by the fresh yet comfortable furnishings — including La-Z-Boy’s sophisticated Duo Bennett Sofa that’s covered in an environmentally friendly Conserve fabric that feels as cozy as your favorite sweater. Each room flows to the next with an inviting palette and pops of color to surprise. The decor marries up with the natural light, dramatic wood, tile and granite to make the home feel warm and inviting

Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Hope Restoration & General Contracting
Columbus Design-Build, Kitchen & Bath Remodeling, Historic Renovations

While providing a nice space for informal dining, the built-in banquette also provides a surprising amount of space under the benches for storage.
Small elegant enclosed light wood floor family room photo in Richmond with a media wall
Small elegant enclosed light wood floor family room photo in Richmond with a media wall

This project is an incredible transformation and the perfect example of successful style mixing! This client, and now a good friend of TVL (as they all become), is a wonderfully eclectic and adventurous one with immense interest in texture play, pops of color, and unique applications. Our scope in this home included a full kitchen renovation, main level powder room renovation, and a master bathroom overhaul. Taking just over a year to complete from the first design phases to final photos, this project was so insanely fun and packs an amazing amount of fun details and lively surprises. The original kitchen was large and fairly functional. However, the cabinetry was dated, the lighting was inefficient and frankly ugly, and the space was lacking personality in general. Our client desired maximized storage and a more personalized aesthetic. The existing cabinets were short and left the nice height of the space under-utilized. We integrated new gray shaker cabinets from Waypoint Living Spaces and ran them to the ceiling to really exaggerate the height of the space and to maximize usable storage as much as possible. The upper cabinets are glass and lit from within, offering display space or functional storage as the client needs. The central feature of this space is the large cobalt blue range from Viking as well as the custom made reclaimed wood range hood floating above. The backsplash along this entire wall is vertical slab of marble look quartz from Pental Surfaces. This matches the expanse of the same countertop that wraps the room. Flanking the range, we installed cobalt blue lantern penny tile from Merola Tile for a playful texture that adds visual interest and class to the entire room. We upgraded the lighting in the ceiling, under the cabinets, and within cabinets--we also installed accent sconces over each window on the sink wall to create cozy and functional illumination. The deep, textured front Whitehaven apron sink is a dramatic nod to the farmhouse aesthetic from KOHLER, and it's paired with the bold and industrial inspired Tournant faucet, also from Kohler. We finalized this space with other gorgeous appliances, a super sexy dining table and chair set from Room & Board, the Paxton dining light from Pottery Barn and a small bar area and pantry on the far end of the space. In the small powder room on the main level, we converted a drab builder-grade space into a super cute, rustic-inspired washroom. We utilized the Bonner vanity from Signature Hardware and paired this with the cute Ashfield faucet from Pfister. The most unique statements in this room include the water-drop light over the vanity from Shades Of Light, the copper-look porcelain floor tile from Pental Surfaces and the gorgeous Cashmere colored Tresham toilet from Kohler. Up in the master bathroom, elegance abounds. Using the same footprint, we upgraded everything in this space to reflect the client's desire for a more bright, patterned and pretty space. Starting at the entry, we installed a custom reclaimed plank barn door with bold large format hardware from Rustica Hardware. In the bathroom, the custom slate blue vanity from Tharp Cabinet Company is an eye catching statement piece. This is paired with gorgeous hardware from Amerock, vessel sinks from Kohler, and Purist faucets also from Kohler. We replaced the old built-in bathtub with a new freestanding soaker from Signature Hardware. The floor tile is a bold, graphic porcelain tile with a classic color scheme. The shower was upgraded with new tile and fixtures throughout: new clear glass, gorgeous distressed subway tile from the Castle line from TileBar, and a sophisticated shower panel from Vigo. We finalized the space with a small crystal chandelier and soft gray paint. This project is a stunning conversion and we are so thrilled that our client can enjoy these personalized spaces for years to come. Special thanks to the amazing Ian Burks of Burks Wurks Construction for bringing this to life!

The Home
The Polaris is about coming home. The homeowner is a United States Air Force Academy alumnus and his family, who found the perfect location to overlook his alma mater. This home is built for today and tomorrow, with elevator and ADA access.
As you enter, sweeping Air Force Academy views greet you. The living area boasts a stunning fireplace wall, a crush-worthy kitchen and pantry and a lovely dining area. The mud room flows seamlessly into the master closet and kitchen. Along the way, a stop at the wine fridge is a nice perk. The office and second bedroom offer plenty of space for work and guests. With a gorgeous fire tray, grill area, infrared heaters and hot tub, the huge deck is a year-round destination.
The basement is built to play, but the homeowners can lock off part of it if they wish. The exercise room is decked out in Air Force
Academy blue flooring. The fun game room is next to the wet bar and walk-out rec room, with a powder room nearby. Two bedrooms
share a bathroom and have their own laundry room. A vault room under the front porch adds additional storage.
The Builder
Elevation Homes has been building custom homes in the Colorado Springs area for 18 years. We are a high-value, small team of experienced professionals who have the passion to take on the most complex projects. Our homes are built to the highest standards and are impeccably crafted for discerning customers. Our customers receive our personal attention through the entire process and we deliver exceptional service. We pride ourselves on being at the forefront of the homebuilding industry. We have recently obtained a Graduate Master Builder designation, one of only five awarded in the state of Colorado, in an effort to be educated about best building practices. The team also belongs to a National Association of Home Builders ‘Builder 20 Group’, a professional networking group that provides opportunities for collaboration and learning among builders. Additionally, we attend national building shows every year to remain current regarding the latest products and trends.
The Interior Design
Designer Jessica Brown at La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries pulled off the feat of making this home comfortable and stylish at the same time. This breathtaking house is bathed in warm, neutral earth tones, which is complemented by the fresh yet comfortable furnishings — including La-Z-Boy’s sophisticated Duo Bennett Sofa that’s covered in an environmentally friendly Conserve fabric that feels as cozy as your favorite sweater. Each room flows to the next with an inviting palette and pops of color to surprise. The decor marries up with the natural light, dramatic wood, tile and granite to make the home feel warm and inviting

This medium sized bathroom had ample space to create a luxurious bathroom for this young professional couple with 3 young children. My clients really wanted a place to unplug and relax where they could retreat and recharge.
New cabinets were a must with customized interiors to reduce cluttered counter tops and make morning routines easier and more organized. We selected Hale Navy for the painted finish with an upscale recessed panel door. Honey bronze hardware is a nice contrast to the navy paint instead of an expected brushed silver. For storage, a grooming center to organize hair dryer, curling iron and brushes keeps everything in place for morning routines. On the opposite, a pull-out organizer outfitted with trays for smaller personal items keeps everything at the fingertips. I included a pull-out hamper to keep laundry and towels off the floor. Another design detail I like to include is drawers in the sink cabinets. It is much better to have drawers notched for the plumbing when organizing bathroom products instead of filling up a large base cabinet.
The room already had beautiful windows and was bathed in naturel light from an existing skylight. I enhanced the natural lighting with some recessed can lights, a light in the shower as well as sconces around the mirrored medicine cabinets. The best thing about the medicine cabinets is not only the additional storage but when both doors are opened you can see the back of your head. The inside of the cabinet doors are mirrored. Honey Bronze sconces are perfect lighting at the vanity for makeup and shaving.
A larger shower for my very tall client with a built-in bench was a priority for this bathroom. I recommend stream showers whenever designing a bathroom and my client loved the idea of that feature as a surprise for his wife. Steam adds to the wellness and health aspect of any good bathroom design. We were able to access a small closet space just behind the shower a perfect spot for the steam unit. In addition to the steam, a handheld shower is another “standard” item in our shower designs. I like to locate these near a bench so you can sit while you target sore shoulder and back muscles. Another benefit is cleanability of the shower walls and being able to take a quick shower without getting your hair wet. The slide bar is just the thing to accommodate different heights.
For Mrs. a tub for soaking and relaxing were the main ingredients required for this remodel. Here I specified a Bain Ultra freestanding tub complete with air massage, chromatherapy and a heated back rest. The tub filer is floor mounted and adds another element of elegance to the bath. I located the tub in a bay window so the bather can enjoy the beautiful view out of the window. It is also a great way to relax after a round of golf. Either way, both of my clients can enjoy the benefits of this tub.
The tiles selected for the shower and the lower walls of the bathroom are a slightly oversized subway tile in a clean and bright white. The floors are a 12x24 porcelain marble. The shower floor features a flat cut marble pebble tile. Behind the vanity the wall is tiled with Zellage tile in a herringbone pattern. The colors of the tile connect all the colors used in the bath.
The final touches of elegance and luxury to complete our design, the soft lilac paint on the walls, the mix of metal materials on the faucets, cabinet hardware, lighting and yes, an oversized heated towel warmer complete with robe hooks.
This truly is a space for rejuvenation and wellness.

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Columbus, OH
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White walls are a perfect backdrop for fun pieces of art like these! Surprising touches of color here and there offer a nice contrast to the sleek lines of the frames and other pieces in the room. And there's just something about man's best friends that put a smile on our faces.
Design: Wesley-Wayne Interiors
Photo: Stephen Karlisch

Our client contacted Tile Doctor as they were having problems cleaning their Slate tiled ensuite bathroom. We visited the property in nearby Stevenage, a London commuter town which is between Letchworth Garden City and Welwyn Garden City. The bathroom had been fitted some time ago, but due to the hard water in the area, there had been a large build up of limescale. The dark slate tiles showed this up even more.
My client had tried numerous household products on the tiles, but nothing was shifting the heavy build up. I discussed with them what Tile Doctor could do and completed a small demonstration. They were surprised how easily we were able to improve the tiles. We agreed a price and a timescale and booked the work in for a few weeks’ time.
The ensuite shower required intensive cleaning to the shower walls and floor where excessive limescale was present so we got to work cleaning with Tile Doctor Oxy-Gel, this is a strong alkaline based cleaner and degreaser, it is a gel so it works well on vertical surfaces where a long dwell time is required to break down dirt, grime, soap scum, oil based products. We left the product on the surface for approximately 10 minutes, removing all previous sealers and dirt. The residue was rinsed off and followed this up with a second clean using Tile Doctor Grout Clean-Up.
Grout Clean-Up is an acidic product designed to remove mineral deposits however you need to be careful with some types of stone as it can etch the surface if used incorrectly. To apply the product was diluted with water in a spray bottle and sprayed on to the wall tiles where it was scrubbed in and then rinsed off. The process was then repeated on the floor rinsing down thoroughly afterwards with water.
Once the slate was clean and dry we proceeded to cut out the existing silicone sealant which was equally stained and was beyond cleaning. This is a slow job and care needs to be taken not to scratch the tiles. It is important to ensure all the old silicone is removed so there is a nice clean surface to reapply the new. This also gave the shower area more time to dry out.
We tested with the moisture meter to ensure the shower area was fully dry and then applied the sealer. We chose to apply three coats of Tile Doctor Colour Grow, this is an impregnating sealer that works by occupying the pores in the stone, so dirt can’t become ingrained there, its also a colour enhancing sealer that provides durable protection. We applied the coats then lightly buffed off the excess with a soft cloth and allowed the slate to dry. The following day we returned to re-silicone all the edges and joints.
We recommended to the customer to use a mild solution of Tile Doctor Stone Soap as a maintenance cleaner for the slate. The client was very happy with the result and could see that cleaning with the appropriate product would ensure the ensuite bathroom continued to look good. The whole job took a day and a half to complete.
Robert Voyce
Hertfordshire Tile Doctor
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