What do teenager’s need most in their bedroom? Personalized space to make their own, a place to study and do homework, and of course, plenty of storage! This teenage girl’s bedroom not only provides much needed storage and built in desk, but does it with clever interplay of millwork and three-dimensional wall design which provide niches and shelves for books, nik-naks, and all teenage things. What do teenager’s need most in their bedroom? Personalized space to make their own, a place to study and do homework, and of course, plenty of storage! This teenage girl’s bedroom not only provides much needed storage and built in desk, but does it with clever interplay of three-dimensional wall design which provide niches and shelves for books, nik-naks, and all teenage things. While keeping the architectural elements characterizing the entire design of the house, the interior designer provided millwork solution every teenage girl needs. Not only aesthetically pleasing but purely functional. Along the window (a perfect place to study) there is a custom designed L-shaped desk which incorporates bookshelves above countertop, and large recessed into the wall bins that sit on wheels and can be pulled out from underneath the window to access the girl’s belongings. The multiple storage solutions are well hidden to allow for the beauty and neatness of the bedroom and of the millwork with multi-dimensional wall design in drywall. Black out window shades are recessed into the ceiling and prepare room for the night with a touch of a button, and architectural soffits with led lighting crown the room. Cabinetry design by the interior designer is finished in bamboo material and provides warm touch to this light bedroom. Lower cabinetry along the TV wall are equipped with combination of cabinets and drawers and the wall above the millwork is framed out and finished in drywall. Multiple niches and 3-dimensional planes offer interest and more exposed storage. Soft carpeting complements the room giving it much needed acoustical properties and adds to the warmth of this bedroom. This custom storage solution is designed to flow with the architectural elements of the room and the rest of the house. Photography: Craig Denis

Eye-Land: Named for the expansive white oak savanna views, this beautiful 5,200-square foot family home offers seamless indoor/outdoor living with five bedrooms and three baths, and space for two more bedrooms and a bathroom. The site posed unique design challenges. The home was ultimately nestled into the hillside, instead of placed on top of the hill, so that it didn’t dominate the dramatic landscape. The openness of the savanna exposes all sides of the house to the public, which required creative use of form and materials. The home’s one-and-a-half story form pays tribute to the site’s farming history. The simplicity of the gable roof puts a modern edge on a traditional form, and the exterior color palette is limited to black tones to strike a stunning contrast to the golden savanna. The main public spaces have oversized south-facing windows and easy access to an outdoor terrace with views overlooking a protected wetland. The connection to the land is further strengthened by strategically placed windows that allow for views from the kitchen to the driveway and auto court to see visitors approach and children play. There is a formal living room adjacent to the front entry for entertaining and a separate family room that opens to the kitchen for immediate family to gather before and after mealtime.

Example of a country open concept light wood floor and beige floor living room design in San Francisco with white walls, a two-sided fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Live deliciously indoors and out with Sub-Zero and Wolf. From customized built-in grills and side burners to thoughtfully designed refrigerated drawers and beverage centers, Sub-Zero refrigeration and Wolf cooking offer a suite of appliances built not only to last but to resist the elements – beautifully.

Inspiration for a transitional open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room remodel in Los Angeles with white walls, a standard fireplace and no tv

Graceful arches contrast with high gables for a stunning exterior on this Craftsman home. Windows with decorative transoms and several French doors flood the open floor plan with natural light. Tray ceilings in the dining room and master bedroom as well as cathedral ceilings in the bedroom/study, great room, kitchen and breakfast area create architectural interest, along with visual space. Built-ins in the great room and additional room in the garage add convenient storage. While a screened porch allows for comfortable outdoor entertaining, a bonus room lies near two additional bedrooms and offers flexibility. Positioned for privacy, the master suite features access to the screened porch, dual walk-in closets and a well-appointed bath, including a private privy, garden tub, double vanity and spacious shower.

The beautiful, old barn on this Topsfield estate was at risk of being demolished. Before approaching Mathew Cummings, the homeowner had met with several architects about the structure, and they had all told her that it needed to be torn down. Thankfully, for the sake of the barn and the owner, Cummings Architects has a long and distinguished history of preserving some of the oldest timber framed homes and barns in the U.S. Once the homeowner realized that the barn was not only salvageable, but could be transformed into a new living space that was as utilitarian as it was stunning, the design ideas began flowing fast. In the end, the design came together in a way that met all the family’s needs with all the warmth and style you’d expect in such a venerable, old building. On the ground level of this 200-year old structure, a garage offers ample room for three cars, including one loaded up with kids and groceries. Just off the garage is the mudroom – a large but quaint space with an exposed wood ceiling, custom-built seat with period detailing, and a powder room. The vanity in the powder room features a vanity that was built using salvaged wood and reclaimed bluestone sourced right on the property. Original, exposed timbers frame an expansive, two-story family room that leads, through classic French doors, to a new deck adjacent to the large, open backyard. On the second floor, salvaged barn doors lead to the master suite which features a bright bedroom and bath as well as a custom walk-in closet with his and hers areas separated by a black walnut island. In the master bath, hand-beaded boards surround a claw-foot tub, the perfect place to relax after a long day. In addition, the newly restored and renovated barn features a mid-level exercise studio and a children’s playroom that connects to the main house. From a derelict relic that was slated for demolition to a warmly inviting and beautifully utilitarian living space, this barn has undergone an almost magical transformation to become a beautiful addition and asset to this stately home.

This project was a one of a kind remodel. it included the demolition of a previously existing wall separating the kitchen area from the living room. The inside of the home was completely gutted down to the framing and was remodeled according the owners specifications. This remodel included a one of a kind custom granite countertop and eating area, custom cabinetry, an indoor outdoor bar, a custom vinyl window, new electrical and plumbing, and a one of a kind entertainment area featuring custom made shelves, and stone fire place.

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary dark wood floor and brown floor living room remodel in Miami with brown walls, no fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Upon moving to a new home, this couple chose to convert two small guest baths into one large luxurious space including a Japanese soaking tub and custom glass shower with rainfall spout. Two floating vanities in a walnut finish topped with composite countertops and integrated sinks flank each wall. Due to the pitched walls, Barbara worked with both an industrial designer and mirror manufacturer to design special clips to mount the vanity mirrors, creating a unique and modern solution in a challenging space. The mix of travertine floor tiles with glossy cream wainscotting tiles creates a warm and inviting feel in this bathroom. Glass fronted shelving built into the eaves offers extra storage for towels and accessories. A oil-rubbed bronze finish lantern hangs from the dramatic ceiling while matching finish sconces add task lighting to the vanity areas. This project was featured in Boston Magazine Home Design section entitiled "Spaces: Bathing Beauty" in the March 2018 issue. Click here for a link to the article: ​ https://www.bostonmagazine.com/property/2018/03/27/elza-b-design-bathroom-transformation/ Photography: Jared Kuzia

Trendy master dark wood floor bedroom photo in San Francisco with beige walls

Vaulted ceilings allow for a two-story great room with floor-to-ceiling windows that offer plenty of natural light and a 50-inch fireplace keeps the space cozy.

This project was such an incredible design opportunity, and instilled inspiration and excitement at every turn! Our amazing clients came to us with the challenge of converting their beloved family home into a welcoming haven for all members of the family. At the time that we met our clients, they were struggling with the difficult personal decision of the fate of the home. Their father/father-in-law had passed away and their mother/mother-in-law had recently been admitted into a nursing facility and was fighting Alzheimer’s. Resistant to loss of the home now that both parents were out of it, our clients purchased the home to keep in in the family. Despite their permanent home currently being in New Jersey, these clients dedicated themselves to keeping and revitalizing the house. We were moved by the story and became immediately passionate about bringing this dream to life. The home was built by the parents of our clients and was only ever owned by them, making this a truly special space to the family. Our goal was to revitalize the home and to bring new energy into every room without losing the special characteristics that were original to the home when it was built. In this way, we were able to develop a house that maintains its own unique personality while offering a space of welcoming neutrality for all members of the family to enjoy over time. The renovation touched every part of the home: the exterior, foyer, kitchen, living room, sun room, garage, six bedrooms, three bathrooms, the laundry room, and everything in between. The focus was to develop a style that carried consistently from space to space, but allowed for unique expression in the small details in every room. Starting at the entry, we renovated the front door and entry point to offer more presence and to bring more of the mid-century vibe to the home’s exterior. We integrated a new modern front door, cedar shingle accents, new exterior paint, and gorgeous contemporary house numbers that really allow the home to stand out. Just inside the entry, we renovated the foyer to create a playful entry point worthy of attention. Cement look tile adorns the foyer floor, and we’ve added new lighting and upgraded the entry coat storage. Upon entering the home, one will immediately be captivated by the stunning kitchen just off the entry. We transformed this space in just about every way. While the footprint of the home ultimately remained almost identical, the aesthetics were completely turned on their head. We re-worked the kitchen to maximize storage and to create an informal dining area that is great for casual hosting or morning coffee. We removed the entry to the garage that was once in the informal dining, and created a peninsula in its place that offers a unique division between the kitchen/informal dining and the formal dining and living areas. The simple light warm light gray cabinetry offers a bit of traditional elegance, along with the marble backsplash and quartz countertops. We extended the original wood flooring into the kitchen and stained all floors to match for a warmth that truly resonates through all spaces. We upgraded appliances, added lighting everywhere, and finished the space with some gorgeous mid century furniture pieces. In the formal dining and living room, we really focused on maintaining the original marble fireplace as a focal point. We cleaned the marble, repaired the mortar, and refinished the original fireplace screen to give a new sleek look in black. We then integrated a new gas insert for modern heating and painted the upper portion in a rich navy blue; an accent that is carried through the home consistently as a nod to our client’s love of the color. The former entry into the old covered porch is now an elegant glass door leading to a stunning finished sunroom. This room was completely upgraded as well. We wrapped the entire space in cozy white shiplap to keep a casual feel with brightness. We tiled the floor with large format concrete look tile, and painted the old brick fireplace a bright white. We installed a new gas burning unit, and integrated transitional style lighting to bring warmth and elegance into the space. The new black-frame windows are adorned with decorative shades that feature hand-sketched bird prints, and we’ve created a dedicated garden-ware “nook” for our client who loves to work in the yard. The far end of this space is completed with two oversized chaise loungers and overhead lights…the most perfect little reading nook! Just off the dining room, we created an entirely new space to the home: a mudroom. The clients lacked this space and desperately needed a landing spot upon entering the home from the garage. We uniquely planned existing space in the garage to utilize for this purpose, and were able to create a small but functional entry point without losing the ability to park cars in the garage. This new space features cement-look tile, gorgeous deep brown cabinetry, and plenty of storage for all the small items one might need to store while moving in and out of the home. The remainder of the upstairs level includes massive renovations to the guest hall bathroom and guest bedroom, upstairs master bed/bath suite, and a third bedroom that we converted into a home office for the client. Some of the largest transformations were made in the basement, where unfinished space and lack of light were converted into gloriously lit, cozy, finished spaces. Our first task was to convert the massive basement living room into the new master bedroom for our clients. We removed existing built-ins, created an entirely new walk-in closet, painted the old brick fireplace, installed a new gas unit, added carpet, introduced new lighting, replaced windows, and upgraded every part of the aesthetic appearance. One of the most incredible features of this space is the custom double sliding barn door made by a Denver artisan. This space is truly a retreat for our clients! We also completely transformed the laundry room, back storage room, basement master bathroom, and two bedrooms. This home’s massive scope and ever-evolving challenges were thrilling and exciting to work with, and the result is absolutely amazing. At the end of the day, this home offers a look and feel that the clients love. Above all, though, the clients feel the spirit of their family home and have a welcoming environment for all members of the family to enjoy for years to come.

Example of a classic kitchen design in San Francisco

Transitional freestanding desk carpeted and gray floor home office library photo in New York with gray walls and no fireplace

This old tiny kitchen now boasts big space, ideal for a small family or a bigger gathering. It's main feature is the customized black metal frame that hangs from the ceiling providing support for two natural maple butcher block shevles, but also divides the two rooms. A downdraft vent compliments the functionality and aesthetic of this installation. The kitchen counters encroach into the dining room, providing more under counter storage. The concept of a proportionately larger peninsula allows more working and entertaining surface. The weightiness of the counters was balanced by the wall of tall cabinets. These cabinets provide most of the kitchen storage and boast an appliance garage, deep pantry and a clever lemans system for the corner storage. Design: Astro Design Centre, Ottawa Canada Photos: Doublespace Photography

Example of a transitional freestanding desk dark wood floor and brown floor study room design in DC Metro with gray walls and no fireplace

Photo by Ryann Ford
Eat-in kitchen - scandinavian eat-in kitchen idea in Austin with no island

Drawing from the blue tones in the family’s heirloom tapestry, we chose Blue China by Valspar for the walls of this transitional living room. It ties the room together while evoking the feeling of antique shopping in New York City and admiring the Chinese porcelain that you find there. Vintage décor, a pair of custom-made traditional-style ottomans, and intricate patterned curtains are another nod to this history, while built-in bookshelves, a simple and refined fireplace, and the sleek frame of a chandelier offer modern touches that take this space from traditional to transitional.