Search results for "Ordinary" in Home Design Ideas

Amazing ceiling we did for a client in New Canaan. A great example of ordinary to extraordinary. For this ceiling we used Fine Paints or Europe Brilliant Navy Blue applied by spray. Lots of prep work and masking involved but it was all worth it.

Custom Curved Wooden Slides by Top Tread Stairways ~
Transform Your Home Into Something Extraordinary
Custom Curved Wooden Slides
When was the Last Time Someone Walked Into Your Home and Their Jaw Literally Dropped?
When was the last time someone walked into your home and their jaw literally dropped?
Picture this: Your guests arrive for dinner. They step into your foyer, and suddenly—silence. Wide eyes. A moment of pure disbelief. Then, inevitably, the question: “Is that really what I think it is?”
Welcome to the world of custom curved wooden slides, where Top Tread Stairways turns childhood dreams into sophisticated architectural statements.
The Secret is Out
For years, Clyde Martin and his team at Top Tread Stairways in Sierra Vista, Arizona, have been quietly building something extraordinary. While most stair companies focus on traditional projects, TopTread Stairways has been perfecting the art of custom hardwood slides—creating installations so remarkable that we joke about renaming the business “Chutes and Ladders.”
The truth? These aren’t just slides. They’re conversation pieces. Works of functional art. The kind of architectural element that sets your home apart from every other one on the planet.
And we build so many of them that we’ve shipped custom slides all over North America and beyond.
Four Ways to Make Your Home Unforgettable
Every slide project we undertake is unique, but they generally fall into four categories:
1. Curved Stair-Slide Combinations – The ultimate space-efficient solution, where stairs and slide spiral together in a stunning combination of form and function.
2. Curved Slides Separate from Stairways – For those who want the drama of a standalone curved slide that makes its own architectural statement.
3. Straight Stair-Slide Combinations – Perfect for modern, linear spaces where clean lines meet playful innovation.
4. Straight Slides Separate from Stairways – Sometimes simplicity creates the most powerful impact.
But here’s where it gets interesting: Some slides feature flat seat areas with vertical sides. Others embrace a barrel shape for enhanced comfort. We’ve built slides wide enough for several people to descend shoulder-to-shoulder, laughing all the way down. And we’ve crafted intimate slides designed for solo adventures, regardless of age or size.
Our clients? They absolutely love them.
Stories That Will Make You Rethink What’s Possible
Take the 11,000-square-foot home in Beverly Hills, overlooking the famous Sunset Strip. In one child’s bedroom, we installed a 12-foot curved slide crafted from white oak. Understated location, extraordinary feature.
Or consider the 35-foot-high round tower room in an 8,500-square-foot custom home bordering the Sacramento River in Northern California. This project has become our most famous installation—a stunning 33-foot curved stair-slide combination built entirely from solid black walnut, featuring 445 layers of cross-laminated hardwood and a spiral newel post that took eight months to construct in our shop.
The homeowners had searched for eight years to find someone “crazy enough” to build their dream. When we completed it, one of Clyde’s trusted business partners—someone who’d seen him tackle countless unique projects—admitted he thought Clyde had lost his mind taking this one on. He genuinely didn’t believe we could pull it off.
We did. And the homeowners? Still thrilled years later.
Where Imagination Meets Reality
But these slides aren’t just for private estates. We’ve installed a 24-foot hickory slide in an elementary school library just east of Dallas, where kids absolutely love it. And here’s something that will make you smile: We built the longest wood slide ever for a children’s hospital in Springfield, Illinois.
Have you ever heard a child beg to go to the doctor?
We’re pretty sure it happens in Springfield. That walnut slide stretches 45 feet long and 3 feet wide—spacious enough for three children to sit side-by-side or for an adult and child to slide together comfortably. We built it in one piece, filling an entire semi-trailer for transport. It lives in the hospital lobby, and no appointment is needed to experience it yourself.
In Raleigh, North Carolina, we installed a 36-foot white oak slide in a custom home. The client loved it so much they ordered a second one—literally 15 minutes after we finished the installation. When Clyde returned to the office, there was already a check in the mailbox for slide number two. This 14,000-square-foot home now features 72 linear feet of curved white oak slide: one connecting the second floor to the main level, another linking the main floor to the finished basement.
What a ride, indeed.
Then there’s the curved stair-slide combination in Visalia, California—32 feet of knotty alder complemented by a hanging netted loft and climbing wall. Creative? Absolutely. Fun? Beyond measure.
The People Behind the Dreams
What inspires us most isn’t the technical challenge of building these slides—though engineering a 33-foot curved slide from 445 layers of cross-laminated hardwood certainly keeps us engaged. It’s working with clients who refuse to think inside the box.
These are creative individuals willing to explore ideas that set their homes and businesses apart. They dream of installations that make people stop and stare. They understand that architecture can—and should—inspire joy.
Listening to them describe their visions, explaining their dreams of a slide design unlike anything else on earth? That’s a privilege. And bringing those dreams to life? That’s what we live for.
My team and I have as much fun designing and building these slides as our clients have riding them. We’d love nothing better than to hear from you!
Custom Curved Wooden Slides
What Sets Top Tread Stairways Apart
Since 2006, Clyde Martin has built Top Tread Stairways on a simple premise: there’s a better way to build stairs. With roots in eastern Pennsylvania and years of experience installing hundreds of pre-built stairways, Clyde brought that expertise west and founded a company dedicated to exceptional craftsmanship.
We stock thousands of stair parts in more than ten wood species—hickory, jatoba, maple, cherry, mahogany, alder, red oak, white oak, poplar, Douglas fir, and walnut. Quality levels are high. Lead times are short. We understand the urgency of your project schedule and deliver accordingly.
But here’s what really matters: When it comes to custom wooden slides, Top Tread Stairways is one of—if not the—premier builders of indoor wooden slides in the United States. This isn’t a side project for us. It’s a specialty we’ve refined through years of experience, countless installations, and an unwavering commitment to turning impossible dreams into breathtaking reality.
Your Home, Reimagined
Whether you’re envisioning a straight wooden stand-alone slide for your office or a jaw-dropping curved wooden slide/stairway combination that will become your home’s signature feature, we’d love to hear from you.
We’re not here to build ordinary. We’re here to build extraordinary.
Ready to set your home apart?
~ Custom Curved Wooden Slides ~ ART YOU RIDE!

©2014, Ross Khodakovskiy
Mid-sized elegant dark wood floor enclosed dining room photo in Portland with beige walls
Mid-sized elegant dark wood floor enclosed dining room photo in Portland with beige walls
Find the right local pro for your project

Designs by Mark, Inc. We will Design & Build your dreams! We are a full service Design/Build firm specializes in interior design, additions, renovations, kitchens & bathrooms, home theaters, basements and more. Designs by Mark, Inc. unites award-winning design services with quality craftsmanship to create a living space that will exceed your expectations. To learn more about our custom remodeling and interior design services please contact us for a free consultation, 215-357-1468. Feel free to visit us online at: www.designsbymarkinc.com. Designs by Mark - Making the ordinary... Extraordinary!

Looking for something different! Our client was looking to create an outdoor space that she could entertain or come home to relax at the end of a long day! Whether sitting around the firepit with a glass of wine or morning coffees, it feels like a quick getaway from the everyday hustle & bustle in her own backyard space. Pet friendly & plenty of places to hang out was important, comfy chairs around the fire pit, a place for cushy lounge chairs & dining alfresco completes the functionality! Oh! and prancing over the large mossrock stepping stones make her space feel magical! She cant wait for summer to enjoy her space as the landscape flourishes with greenery and beautiful flowers throughout! Of course the fall will be welcomed as her backyard amber glows & warmth surrounds with the right fire feature! Not your ordinary backyard space!

Eat-in kitchen - small eclectic galley dark wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in San Francisco with an undermount sink, glass-front cabinets, black cabinets, gray backsplash, ceramic backsplash and no island

Many families ponder the idea of adding extra living space for a few years before they are actually ready to remodel. Then, all-of-the sudden, something will happen that makes them realize that they can’t wait any longer. In the case of this remodeling story, it was the snowstorm of 2016 that spurred the homeowners into action. As the family was stuck in the house with nowhere to go, they longed for more space. The parents longed for a getaway spot for themselves that could also double as a hangout area for the kids and their friends. As they considered their options, there was one clear choice…to renovate the detached garage.
The detached garage previously functioned as a workshop and storage room and offered plenty of square footage to create a family room, kitchenette, and full bath. It’s location right beside the outdoor kitchen made it an ideal spot for entertaining and provided an easily accessible bathroom during the summertime. Even the canine family members get to enjoy it as they have their own personal entrance, through a bathroom doggie door.
Our design team listened carefully to our client’s wishes to create a space that had a modern rustic feel and found selections that fit their aesthetic perfectly. To set the tone, Blackstone Oak luxury vinyl plank flooring was installed throughout. The kitchenette area features Maple Shaker style cabinets in a pecan shell stain, Uba Tuba granite countertops, and an eye-catching amber glass and antique bronze pulley sconce. Rather than use just an ordinary door for the bathroom entry, a gorgeous Knotty Alder barn door creates a stunning focal point of the room.
The fantastic selections continue in the full bath. A reclaimed wood double vanity with a gray washed pine finish anchors the room. White, semi-recessed sinks with chrome faucets add some contemporary accents, while the glass and oil-rubbed bronze mini pendant lights are a balance between both rustic and modern. The design called for taking the shower tile to the ceiling and it really paid off. A sliced pebble tile floor in the shower is curbed with Uba Tuba granite, creating a clean line and another accent detail.
The new multi-functional space looks like a natural extension of their home, with its matching exterior lights, new windows, doors, and sliders. And with winter approaching and snow on the way, this family is ready to hunker down and ride out the storm in comfort and warmth. When summer arrives, they have a designated bathroom for outdoor entertaining and a wonderful area for guests to hang out.
It was a pleasure to create this beautiful remodel for our clients and we hope that they continue to enjoy it for many years to come.

With a budget of $3,000 and a two-month timeline, we set out to breathe new life into a dining area that felt more cramped than cozy. The transformation was not just about style; it was about creating a space that feels like home, a place where every piece tells a part of our client’s story.
Table Upgrade: The original table was a quaint four-seater, perfect for the snug corners of a smaller apartment but it lost its charm in a larger space. We introduced a grand white marble table that not only made the room look more open but also blended seamlessly with the wood, stone, and rattan elements already present. This new table isn't just furniture; it's a gathering place, a spot that invites everyone to come together, share meals, and create memories.
Ambient Lighting: The standard, fixed lighting in the apartment was too harsh and did little to enhance the inviting atmosphere we wanted to cultivate. Our solution was to install chic, renter-friendly wall sconces and scatter battery-powered candles across the table. Now, the lighting is just right—soft, warm, and perfect for setting the mood, whether it’s a lively dinner party or a quiet evening meal.
Personalizing the Space: Beyond the aesthetics, it was important to our client that the space feel personal and heartfelt. We set up a gallery of family photos right across from the dining area. These aren’t just pictures; they’re windows into precious moments. We used innovative, rental-friendly magnetic frames that don't require nails, allowing our client the freedom to refresh the display as new memories are made.
This dining area makeover was all about creating a space that not only looks beautiful but feels genuinely like a part of the family—a place where every element has its purpose and every detail adds to the story. We’ve transformed an ordinary space into our client’s favorite room in the house, where style meets personal history and creates the perfect backdrop for many more cherished moments.

This finished basement is complete with a bar, game room and outdoor access. The brick walls and arches give this space the feel of an ordinary pub. The brick on this project is Stratford Thin Brick.
Photographer: Donna Chiarelli

What is the point of good design if you don't have the right lighting to show it off? Whether it is the quaint charm, masterful craftsmanship, or sheer practicality, our hand hammered copper pendant lights are the perfect finishing touch necessary to illuminate and elevate any kitchen or dining room from ordinary to extraordinary.

What a transformation! Interior brick veneer wall coverage can transform an ordinary living room into a statement piece. This style can used to spruce up any area surrounding the fireplace mantel.

AMS Fireplace offers a unique selection of iron crafted fireplace doors made to suit your specific needs and desires. We offer an attractive line of affordable, yet exquisitely crafted, fireplace doors that will give your ordinary fireplace door an updated look. AMS Fireplace doors are customized to fit any size fireplace opening, and specially designed to complement your space. Choose from a variety of finishes, designs, door styles, glasses, mesh covers, and handles to ensure 100% satisfaction.

Two years before this photo shoot, a Bloomington couple came to SYI wondering whether to renovate their dated bi-level or upgrade to a new house entirely: the classic love-it-or-list-it dilemma. The whole house needed to be touched, really: bathrooms and kitchen, lighting and flooring and paint everywhere, not to mention new furniture to fill in and improve the living spaces. We spent a year with this family, considering options that were less transformative but allowed for the whole house to be upgraded, as well as options that dramatically changed the main living space but meant the rest of the house would have to wait. Meanwhile, they kept an eye out for better digs in town: a house at their price point, that met their family's needs and matched their aesthetic without major construction.
After a year of hunting, hemming and hawing: they pulled the trigger. Give us the whole enchilada in the kitchen and main living space, they said. There's no other house for us. The bathrooms and basement can wait. Make this space, where we spend all our time, a place we love to be.
Walls and ceilings came down; clerestory windows went in. A stunning 4-panel sliding door-cum-window wall replaced two separate doors in two separate rooms, and the sun streaming in now gives this house in Indiana a California-like access to the outdoors. The central custom screen does triple duty: displaying the client's objets d'art, hiding an HVAC chase, and holding up the ceiling. The gas fireplace is completely new, with custom shelving on either side. Of course, in 2017, the kitchen anchors everything. Family Central, it features custom cabinetry, honed quartz, a new window wall, and a huge island. Materials are earthy and natural, lending a warm modern effect to the space. The medium stain of the wood and overall horizontality of the design are a nod to the home's era (1967), while white cabinetry and charcoal tile provide a neutral but crisp backdrop for the family's stunning and colorful art collection.
The result: an ordinary bi-level is now an extraordinary home, unlike any other in Bloomington.
Contractor: Rusty Peterson Construction
Cabinetry: Tim Graber Furniture
Photography: Gina Rogers

On the quick view, the landscape for this speculative summer home development could not be more ordinary. Its story all too common. As a product of a farm’s subdivision, it had all the trappings of American residential sprawl – large front lawn exposed to street, few mature trees, clumsy entry sequence with service and front door in direct conflict, and lack of privacy. To fulfill its function as a summer and vacation house destination, the new owner understood the landscape required a transformation.
A delightful and magical surprise was the property’s mature Poplar forest, abutting the new house. By removing and transplanting the Poplars, a sculpted void and solid composition established a garden structure. Introducing scale and a landscape continuum, the relocated tall Poplars erased the house front’s youthful origins. A distinctive landscape personality grew out of the skeletal structure of the Poplar groves. A bold landscape graphic emerged with simplified underplanting strengthens the Poplar’s mono-culture presentation, calming the eye and inviting further sensory observation and reflection.

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This office remodel transforms a once ordinary space into a warm, modern, and inspiring workspace designed for both productivity and style. Featuring seamless LVP flooring for a cohesive flow, custom glass door inserts that invite natural light, and a striking wood slat feature wall that adds texture and depth, every detail was thoughtfully curated. Paired with layered décor and carefully selected furnishings, this office now feels elevated, functional, and beautifully grounded in modern organic design.

Sunset Construction and Design specializes in creating residential patio retreats, outdoor kitchens with fireplaces and luxurious outdoor living rooms. Our design-build service can turn an ordinary back yard into a natural extension of your home giving you a whole new dimension for entertaining or simply unwinding at the end of the day. If you’re interested in converting a boring back yard or starting from scratch in a new home, look us up! A great patio and outdoor living area can easily be yours. Greg, Sunset Construction & Design in Fresno, CA.

Remodeling your master bathroom in Calabasas offers the perfect opportunity to optimize both functionality and style. Custom features, such as built-in cabinetry and spacious shower designs, can transform an ordinary bathroom into a highly organized, luxurious retreat. I recently worked with a homeowner in Calabasas who struggled with limited storage and a dated design. By integrating custom storage cabinets and a sleek walk-in shower, we were able to create a space that not only looked great but solved their storage woes. The built-in cabinetry, combined with the shower’s marble finishes, added much-needed storage for linens, toiletries, and more, all while maintaining a clean, open layout. The result was a bathroom that was both practical for daily use and aesthetically aligned with the homeowner’s vision.

Why settle for an ordinary bathroom sink when you can have one that’s truly extraordinary? Available in four gorgeous finishes, the Vinnova Udine Series Vessel Bathroom Sinks bring a touch of dazzling style to a guest or master bath. Pair one with your favorite faucet to create a signature look that’s all your own.
Model# 00122-GBS-RB

Transform an ordinary wall into a work of art with these one-of-a-kind hand-painted switch plates. Each piece is individually painted and designed to add personality, color, and unexpected charm to a room. Perfect for homeowners and designers who appreciate thoughtful details, these decorative accents prove that even the smallest elements can make a big statement.
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