Bathroom - small cottage dark wood floor and brown floor bathroom idea in Birmingham with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white walls and an undermount sink

This beautiful North Vancouver home belongs to a nature-loving and health-conscious couple, Emma and Vince (names changed), their two young children, and their dog, Jasper. When they contacted us about renovating and furnishing their kitchen and family room, we walked in and saw a world of potential waiting to be uncovered. Before: Larkhall Crescent Home: Like many original North Vancouver homes, the interior was definitely dated. We encountered late ‘80s finishes in powder pink and teal green, old carpet, and a kitchen that wasn’t maximized to suit this family’s modern-day lifestyle. However, the size of the rooms offered us a ton of space with which to get creative. Knowing our clients’ love of cooking, need for work spaces (Emma and Vince both work remotely), and growing family, we developed a design concept that would increase usable space, optimize storage, and create intimacy in this large area. As for the style, we were inspired by their European roots, inventing a new and modern take on “Belgian Farmhouse” style. Now, the home is truly one-of-a-kind. After: Warm & Cozy Family Room: Fresh, bright, and comfortable, this living area has been transformed! We started with the fireplace as a focal point, selecting aged brick tiles for added texture and a crisp wood mantle. The taupe-coloured sectional infuses the room with visual warmth and serves the added purpose of separating the family room from the kitchen. Emma and Vince were also keen on using non-toxic materials in their home, and we were happy to oblige. To meet their needs, we sourced natural wood elements and sought out Canadian-made products - that adhere to high health standards - whenever possible. Look closer at the elements of this space, and you will find this stunning, honeycomb-patterned rug in earthy gold, beige, and charcoal tones. It’s plush to the touch and full of visual texture that brings this room’s colour palette together. We sourced these two-tone chairs with caning, petrified wood side table, black sconces, and botanical prints in greyscale from local artist, Heather Johnston. We topped off the space with this dark wood and rattan console that offers storage facing the kitchen and presents an opportunity to display cherished items. The result is a cozy lounging space brimming with comfort and functionality. It’s perfect for enjoying quality family time, or Emma can simply slide the coffee table away to make room for her morning yoga practice. Now, let’s turn around and give some attention to the kitchen. Do you remember what the original kitchen looked like? If not, scroll back up, because the transformation is shocking… Moody & Welcoming Kitchen for Healthy Living: This kitchen looks very different from how it started, right? Though we didn’t touch any walls, the kitchen has almost doubled in usable space! We created a long, extended island with storage, an outlet for small appliances, and seating for comfortable prep, after-school snacking, or mingling among friends. On the other side of the island, the family has even more storage and an integrated dishwasher within easy reach of the sink, perfect for quick clean-up. From this angle, you can also see the expansive custom Shaker cabinetry in white and the integrated double ovens. These facilitate their cooking experience and gave us the opportunity to add an additional surprise… A coffee garage station and more hidden storage! Keeping these items located along the perimeter allows them to be accessed by the family or their guests without someone getting under the cook’s feet. These are the little details that make everyday life easier and more enjoyable. Moving deeper into the kitchen, the seamless induction cooktop topped with a freestanding concealed hood fan commands attention in a soft yet prominent way. The natural wood accent mirrors the fireplace mantle, and the choice of off-black wood-grain cabinets not only continues our black-and-white colour palette but adds a sense of depth and contrast. The corner sink is located to the right and perfectly positioned with a view of their thriving backyard. To invite more of this family’s character into the space, we mixed metals for interest — matte black, dark pewter, and warm brass — and created open shelves in white oak for their plants and decor. You can also glimpse the tumbled edge of the backsplash tile, which echoes the rustic brick of the fireplace. It adds that farmhouse charm while still feeling timeless and sophisticated. Last but not least, we designed this dining banquette in the bay window (with integrated bench storage, of course), where the family can share a meal together, the kids can do homework, or Emma and Vince can work and enjoy a change of scenery from their offices. Like the other spaces in the home, it was designed to be beautiful, multi-functional, and long-lasting. Praise from Our Clients: It is clear that we love this home, but what did our clients have to say? “Lori is a visionary and masters execution to the finest detail all at the same time. When she first met us to know more about who we are and how we live, she could right away envision how we could use the space in our kitchen and living room…The results exceeded our expectations. Lori and her team were also a delight to work with — coordination with all the trades, fast problem-solving, regular updates, professional and friendly attitude of her entire team — made it the dream team. Thank you SHD for making our space so beautiful!” In turn, we are so grateful for this family’s trust, their open communication, and for being wonderful people with whom to work. (So, thank you!)

The original kitchen was confined within four walls and our clients were eager to create a more open floor plan to provide more social interaction between the home chef (mom) and the 4 men in her life. By removing walls and borrowing a few extra square feet from the adjacent laundry room we were able to incorporate a 48” refrigerator and range, extra storage, a central island, increased workspaces and banquette seating into this modestly sized kitchen. This project was designed to provide both high function and high style while optimizing the influx of natural light from the enlarged kitchen windows. We maximized the space and created an open floor plan that improved traffic flow between the adjacent rooms. The custom cabinetry, stainless hood, shelves, and the professional faucet gives this rather traditional white kitchen a more modern design sensibility. Photo Credit: Bethany Nauert

This award-winning single family home on Chicago’s north shore is an 8500 square foot space, designed to accommodate the social lifestyle of its family of five. Light bathed window seats and naturally sunlit circulation paths optimize views to enjoy the wooded five-acre site. Custom kitchen furniture was built with trees cleared from the location – and with an English country inspired style – the space is reinterpreted in a fresh contemporary way. Designed under the auspices of Full Circle Architects, built by RedRock Custom Homes. Photo by Linda Oyama Bryan

THE SETUP Client Background: Our clients, a couple who have transitioned into the empty nest phase, have cherished their home for over three decades without undergoing any significant renovations. With a newfound desire to adapt their living space to better suit their current lifestyle, they’ve embarked on a journey to reimagine their kitchen — the heart of their home. Their aspiration is to cultivate a serene, neutral-toned sanctuary on the first floor that seamlessly merges with their family room, ensuring a harmonious and inviting environment. Design Inspiration: The renovation is inspired by the couple’s penchant for soft, calming neutrals, using their cherished family room and the kitchen’s existing tile flooring as the cornerstone for the color scheme. This approach aims to foster a sense of warmth and tranquility throughout. Design Objectives: Harmonize the kitchen with the family room by adopting a soothing, neutral color scheme, ensuring a seamless flow across the first floor. Enhance kitchen functionality with thoughtfully designed cabinetry, providing a designated place for every item and maximizing storage efficiency. Cultivate an inviting and comfortable atmosphere that reflects the homeowners’ desire for a calm and relaxing space. Design Challenges: The homeowners wish to retain the existing kitchen tile flooring and integrate it into a refreshed, modern design. Accommodating a dining area spacious enough for family visits without compromising the kitchen’s open feel or functional layout. Despite liking the current placement of plumbing and appliances, the homeowners aspire for a more open floor plan to facilitate better movement and interaction. The need to amplify natural light in the kitchen, especially around the sink area, where existing lighting is insufficient. Preserving the half-wall between the kitchen and family room, a feature the homeowners want to keep, while ensuring it complements the new design. THE RENEWED SPACE Design Solutions: By choosing a neutral color palette that complements the existing tile, the design unifies the kitchen with the adjacent spaces. The tile’s grout was cleaned and restored, enhancing the floor’s appearance and integrating it seamlessly with the new kitchen aesthetic. The inclusion of a larger island with seating for two, alongside maintaining a substantial dining table, was achieved by optimizing the spatial layout. This allowed for a sociable yet functional kitchen, accommodating large family gatherings without feeling crowded. Minor adjustments to the kitchen’s layout maintained the preferred locations for plumbing and appliances while introducing an ‘open’ design concept. Strategic modifications, such as angling the pantry wall, improved the flow and accessibility within the space. Replacing the garden window with a broader, standard window significantly increased natural light, transforming the sink area into a bright, welcoming space with enhanced views of the outdoors. The decision to keep the half-wall was ingeniously leveraged to define the dining area while maintaining an open connection to the family room. This feature not only serves as a visual separator but also ties the two spaces together through the shared color scheme and design elements. The homeowners are thrilled with their newly remodeled kitchen, which has become a hub of warmth and hospitality. Hosting a wedding shower and a birthday party, they have shared their renewed space with friends and family, who have been equally enamored. This remodel has not only met their functional and aesthetic desires but has also enriched their home with a fresh sense of serenity and joy. The upstairs part of the home is shaping up nicely. Here’s their newly remodeled primary bathroom.

A sleeping alcove tucked into one end of a guest room just off the main living area provides respite even when the rest of the home is busy. Images | Kurt Jordan Photography

Transitional multicolored tile mosaic tile floor and multicolored floor bathroom photo in Chicago with shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, blue walls, an undermount sink, a hinged shower door and gray countertops

The 7,600 square-foot residence was designed for large, memorable gatherings of family and friends at the lake, as well as creating private spaces for smaller family gatherings. Keeping in dialogue with the surrounding site, a palette of natural materials and finishes was selected to provide a classic backdrop for all activities, bringing importance to the adjoining environment. In optimizing the views of the lake and developing a strategy to maximize natural ventilation, an ideal, open-concept living scheme was implemented. The kitchen, dining room, living room and screened porch are connected, allowing for the large family gatherings to take place inside, should the weather not cooperate. Two main level master suites remain private from the rest of the program; yet provide a complete sense of incorporation. Bringing the natural finishes to the interior of the residence, provided the opportunity for unique focal points that complement the stunning stone fireplace and timber trusses. Photographer: John Hession

This project was a joy to work on, as we married our firm’s modern design aesthetic with the client’s more traditional and rustic taste. We gave new life to all three bathrooms in her home, making better use of the space in the powder bathroom, optimizing the layout for a brother & sister to share a hall bath, and updating the primary bathroom with a large curbless walk-in shower and luxurious clawfoot tub. Though each bathroom has its own personality, we kept the palette cohesive throughout all three.

Angle Eye Photography
Inspiration for a timeless medium tone wood floor entryway remodel in Philadelphia with white walls and a gray front door

The Envy™ Direct-Vent Fireplace is sure to provide the perfect foundation for custom tailoring to your taste and home's décor. Both looks offer an expansive ceramic-glass opening and patent-pending FullFlame™ dual burner technology for exceptional glow and flame appearance. With a wide array of optional accessories to personalize to your taste, the Envy provides endless possibilities for making your living area warm and inviting. Aesthetics Smooth-faced design features ceramic glass for optimum heat transfer. Available in Traditional (with log set) and Contemporary (with glass media) configurations. Exclusive Full Flame™ burner technology independently optimizes fuel mixture to generate superior glow and flame. Standard fireplace lighting illuminates interior with 6 distinct settings. Realistic Hi-Definition logs molded from actual firewood to deliver the look of natural fire. Massive viewing area combined with a ceramic glass enclosure panel provide an exceptional view of the fire. Contemporary units feature glossy black porcelain interior to amplify the look of the flame. Barrier integrates seamlessly with surrounding trim and provides an unobstructed view of the fire while providing an additional level of safety. Comfort Exclusive Full Flame™ burner technology combines a highly efficient combustion system with a greater range of control to optimize heat output. Full Flame™ multi stage burner and full function remote provide a total of 12 distinct flame settings. Hi performance modulating blower with noise canceling ducting for quietly delivering heat to the living space. Intermittent pilot ignition includes battery backup to provide continued operation in the event of a power outage. Full function control features standing pilot mode for improved performance in extreme climates. Ease of Operation Full featured modulating remote controls all fireplace functions as well as a smart thermostat mode for optimum comfort and efficiency. Gas controls are conveniently located to the side of the fireplace opening for easy installation and operation Design Versatility Available in Traditional (with log set) and Contemporary (with glass media) configurations. Traditional Realistic Hi-Definition logs molded from actual firewood to deliver the look of natural fire. Choice of two realistic ceramic brick fireplace liners for the true look of masonry craftsmanship to complete the traditional look. Optional andirons and free-standing fire screens allow for further customization. Contemporary Dual burner technology for the ultimate flame control. Smooth porcelain interior liners complete the contemporary look while showcasing and reflecting the tall dramatic flame. Choice of five glass media colors to suit your taste and complement any home decor. Optional facades to further customize to taste. This fireplace meets all 2015 ANSI barrier requirements.

Farmhouse home office photo in San Francisco

Inspiration for a huge transitional freestanding desk dark wood floor study room remodel in Los Angeles with gray walls

Photography: Jessica Makes Studio
Inspiration for a mid-century modern galley gray floor open concept kitchen remodel in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and white countertops

Down-to-studs remodel and second floor addition. The original house was a simple plain ranch house with a layout that didn’t function well for the family. We changed the house to a contemporary Mediterranean with an eclectic mix of details. Space was limited by City Planning requirements so an important aspect of the design was to optimize every bit of space, both inside and outside. The living space extends out to functional places in the back and front yards: a private shaded back yard and a sunny seating area in the front yard off the kitchen where neighbors can easily mingle with the family. A Japanese bath off the master bedroom upstairs overlooks a private roof deck which is screened from neighbors’ views by a trellis with plants growing from planter boxes and with lanterns hanging from a trellis above. Photography by Kurt Manley. https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/modern-mediterranean/

Total gut kitchen remodel created this open floor plan with lots of built-ins to optimize storage. Apron sink, microwave drawer, Jenn-air fridge and gas range; all appliances in stainless steel finish. Damianos Photography

Down-to-studs remodel and second floor addition. The original house was a simple plain ranch house with a layout that didn’t function well for the family. We changed the house to a contemporary Mediterranean with an eclectic mix of details. Space was limited by City Planning requirements so an important aspect of the design was to optimize every bit of space, both inside and outside. The living space extends out to functional places in the back and front yards: a private shaded back yard and a sunny seating area in the front yard off the kitchen where neighbors can easily mingle with the family. A Japanese bath off the master bedroom upstairs overlooks a private roof deck which is screened from neighbors’ views by a trellis with plants growing from planter boxes and with lanterns hanging from a trellis above. Photography by Kurt Manley. https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/modern-mediterranean/

This craft room is a quilters dream! Loads of cabinetry along with many linear feet of counter space provides all that is needed to maximize creativity regardless of the project type or size. This custom home was designed and built by Meadowlark Design+Build in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Photography by Joshua Caldwell.

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard concrete paver patio vertical garden remodel in New York with no cover