Amy Braswell
Example of a transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen design in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, concrete countertops and colored appliances

David Duncan Livingston
Inspiration for a mid-sized eclectic beige floor nursery remodel in San Francisco

HIs Closet area in the foreground, and Hers in the rear provide separate storage in this light, bright Master Closet. JWH Custom Cabinetry features both open and closed storage for maximum function. Jennifer Howard, Custom Cabinetry Jon De La Cruz, Interior Designer

This dual home office has a modern aesthetic with flair. The clean lines of the recessed panel cabinetry contrast with the crown molding and open upper shelving. Simple, nature-inspired décor and accents are offset by brilliant yellow desk chairs and grounded by a contemporary area rug.

Michael Gullon, Phoenix Photographic
Inspiration for a timeless l-shaped kitchen pantry remodel in Baltimore with green cabinets, granite countertops and raised-panel cabinets

This modern, open-concept living space blends warmth with refined sophistication. Custom dark accent wall cabinetry anchors the room, featuring a sleek fireplace, built-in shelving, and an integrated art television above the mantel. Designed with both form and function in mind, the cabinetry includes concealed doors that can be closed to discreetly hide the television when not in use, allowing the space to transition seamlessly between technology and art. Gold-toned Visual Comfort Sean Lavin pendants cascade elegantly above the staircase, adding a sculptural touch. Expansive black-framed windows flood the room with natural light, highlighting rich hardwood floors and a generous seating area ideal for gathering and entertaining. A formal entrance framed by an architectural arch creates a striking first impression, while a raised ceiling with exposed wooden beams adds depth and character as the space opens effortlessly to the kitchen.

The back of the fireplace, highlighting the vintage stove, became a feature in the kitchen.
Inspiration for a coastal u-shaped eat-in kitchen remodel in Portland with a farmhouse sink, open cabinets and wood countertops

Here is an example of DEANE Inc’s custom cabinetry in this fresh and beautiful bar layout. Perfect for entertaining, this new look provides easy access with both opened and closed shelving as well as a wine cooler and sink perfect for having guests.

With respect to the notion of old-meets-new, the kitchen strikes a comfortable balance between materials. For the center island, Franklin repurposed original barn siding into cladding for the unit, painting it grey. The Corian counter top and stainless steel backsplash provide a cool contrast. A set of antique barstools was a fortunate find for the homeowner. Sourced from a local bar that had closed, all they needed was a little elbow grease to realize their full potential. It took days to remove years worth of nicotine stains from them, but as Franklin exclaims, "It was worth it because the old stools found a new home in an old barn!" The partial wall was designed to address a number of functional and aesthetic concerns. Dividing the workspace from the storage space, it keeps the pantry area out of view, and allows light to carry through this area of the home. Franklin also uses the wall as a means to display his growing teapot collection. "It’s funny," he confesses, "but I think they can entice people to sit down, have a cup of tea and converse (Imagine that in this world of technology!)" Adrienne DeRosa Photography

This family’s basement had become a catch-all space and was sorely underutilized. Although it was spacious, the current layout wasn’t working. The homeowners wanted to transform this space from closed and dreary to open and inviting. Specific requirements of the design included: - Opening up the area to create an awesome family hang out space game room for kids and adults - A bar and eating area - A theater room that the parents could enjoy without disturbing the kids at night - An industrial design aesthetic The transformation of this basement is amazing. Walls were opened to create flow between the game room, eating space and theater rooms. One end of a staircase was closed off, enabling the soundproofing of the theater. A light neutral palette and gorgeous lighting fixtures make you forget that you are in the basement. Unique materials such as galvanized piping, corrugated metal and cool light fixtures give the space an industrial feel. Now, this basement functions as the great family hang out space the homeowners envisioned.

Michael J. Lee
Inspiration for a small transitional built-in desk medium tone wood floor and brown floor study room remodel in Boston with gray walls

This colorful kitchen included custom Decor painted maple shaker doors in Bella Pink (SW6596). The remodel incorporated removal of load bearing walls, New steal beam wrapped with walnut veneer, Live edge style walnut open shelves. Hand made, green glazed terracotta tile. Red oak hardwood floors. Kitchen Aid appliances (including matching pink mixer). Ruvati apron fronted fireclay sink. MSI Statuary Classique Quartz surfaces. This kitchen brings a cheerful vibe to any gathering.

built in bed, striped quilt, shiplap, built in shelves, open shelves, bed alcove, bed nook, gray armchair, white sofa, striped ottoman Photography by Michael J. Lee

  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

This project was featured in Midwest Home magazine as the winner of ASID Life in Color. The addition of a kitchen with custom shaker-style cabinetry and a large shiplap island is perfect for entertaining and hosting events for family and friends. Quartz counters that mimic the look of marble were chosen for their durability and ease of maintenance. Open shelving with brass sconces above the sink create a focal point for the large open space. Putting a modern spin on the traditional nautical/coastal theme was a goal. We took the quintessential palette of navy and white and added pops of green, stylish patterns, and unexpected artwork to create a fresh bright space. Grasscloth on the back of the built in bookshelves and console table along with rattan and the bentwood side table add warm texture. Finishes and furnishings were selected with a practicality to fit their lifestyle and the connection to the outdoors. A large sectional along with the custom cocktail table in the living room area provide ample room for game night or a quiet evening watching movies with the kids. To learn more visit https://k2interiordesigns.com To view article in Midwest Home visit https://midwesthome.com/interior-spaces/life-in-color-2019/ Photography - Spacecrafting

Scott Amundson Photography
Kitchen - contemporary l-shaped concrete floor and gray floor kitchen idea in Other with a single-bowl sink, open cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

This project was featured in Midwest Home magazine as the winner of ASID Life in Color. The addition of a kitchen with custom shaker-style cabinetry and a large shiplap island is perfect for entertaining and hosting events for family and friends. Quartz counters that mimic the look of marble were chosen for their durability and ease of maintenance. Open shelving with brass sconces above the sink create a focal point for the large open space. Putting a modern spin on the traditional nautical/coastal theme was a goal. We took the quintessential palette of navy and white and added pops of green, stylish patterns, and unexpected artwork to create a fresh bright space. Grasscloth on the back of the built in bookshelves and console table along with rattan and the bentwood side table add warm texture. Finishes and furnishings were selected with a practicality to fit their lifestyle and the connection to the outdoors. A large sectional along with the custom cocktail table in the living room area provide ample room for game night or a quiet evening watching movies with the kids. To learn more visit https://k2interiordesigns.com To view article in Midwest Home visit https://midwesthome.com/interior-spaces/life-in-color-2019/ Photography - Spacecrafting

Designer: Sazen Design / Photography: Paul Dyer
Example of a mid-sized transitional kitchen design in San Francisco with a drop-in sink, gray cabinets, flat-panel cabinets and soapstone countertops

View of the custom clothing rack and shelving in this sunny dressing room & closet. - photos by Blackstone Edge
Dressing room - contemporary medium tone wood floor and brown floor dressing room idea in Portland with open cabinets and light wood cabinets