The kitchen exudes ample storage, natural light and room to cook and share the space with loved ones. Scott Amundson Photography, LLC
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen remodel in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, beige backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Catherine Tighe
Inspiration for a small contemporary bathroom remodel in Los Angeles with a wall-mount sink

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   One of my favorite things to work on is older homes with a bit of history because I find it an interesting challenge to marry the historical architectural features of a home with modern design elements that work well for my client’s current lifestyle. This home was particularly fun because it was the second kitchen we had done for this family and was quite a departure from the style of the first kitchen. The before shot of the kitchen shows a view from the family room. See the dropped ceiling? We were curious, was this just part of the design or was the dropped ceiling there to hide mechanicals? Well we soon found out that it was mostly decorative (yay!), and with the exception of a little bit of work to some plumbing from an upstairs bathroom and rerouting of the ventilation system within the original floor joists, we were in the clear, phew! The shot of the completed kitchen from roughly the same vantage point shows how much taller the ceilings are. It makes a huge difference in the feel of the space. Dark and gloomy turned fresh and light! Another serious consideration was what do we do with the skinny transom window above the refrigerator. After much back and forth, we decided to eliminate it and do some open shelving instead. This ended up being one of the nicest areas in the room. I am calling it the “fun zone” because it houses all the barware, wine cubbies and a bar fridge — the perfect little buffet spot for entertaining. It is flanked on either side by pull out pantries that I’m sure will get a ton of use. Since the neighboring room has literally three walls of almost full height windows, the kitchen gets plenty of light. The gold shelving brackets, large pendant fixtures over the island and the tile mural behind the range all pay subtle homage to the home’s prairie style architecture and bring a bit of sparkle to the room. Even though the room is quite large, the work triangle is very tight with the large Subzero fridge, sink and range all nearby for easy maneuvering during meal prep. There is seating for four at the island, and work aisles are generous. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: LOMA Studios For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

As written in Northern Home & Cottage by Elizabeth Edwards For years, Jeff and Ellen Miller spent their vacations sailing in Northern Michigan—so they had plenty of time to check out which small harbor town they might like to retire to someday. When that time arrived several years ago, they looked at properties up and down the coast and along inland lakes. When they discovered a sweet piece on the outskirts of Boyne City that included waterfront and a buildable lot, with a garage on it, across the street, they knew they’d found home. The couple figured they could find plans for their dream lake cottage online. After all, they weren’t looking to build anything grandiose. Just a small-to-medium sized contemporary Craftsman. But after an unfruitful online search they gave up, frustrated. Every plan they found had the back of the house facing the water—they needed a blueprint for a home that fronted on the water. The Millers first met the woman, Stephanie Baldwin, Owner & President of Edgewater Design Group, who solved that issue and a number of others on the 2015 Northern Home & Cottage Petoskey Area Home Tour. Baldwin’s home that year was a smart, 2000-square cottage on Crooked Lake with simple lines and a Craftsman sensibility. That home proved to the couple that Edgewater Design Group is as proficient at small homes as the larger ones they are often known for. Edgewater Design Group did indeed come up with the perfect plan for the Millers. At 2400 square feet, the simple Craftsman with its 3 bedrooms, vaulted ceiling in the great room and upstairs deck is everything the Millers wanted—including the fact that construction stayed within their budget. An extra courtesy of working with the talented design team is a screened in porch facing the lake (“She told us, of course you have to have a screened in porch,” Ellen says. “And we love it!’) Edgewater’s other touches are more subtle. The Millers wanted to keep the garage, but the home needed to be sited on a small knoll some feet away in order to capture the views of Lake Charlevoix across the street. The solution is a covered walkway and steps that are so artful they enhance the home. Another favor Baldwin did for them was to connect them with Legacy Construction, a firm known for its craftsmanship and attention to detail. The Miller home, outfitted with touches including custom molding, cherry cabinetry, a stunning custom range hood, built in shelving and custom vanities. A warm hickory floor and lovely earth-toned Craftsman-style color palette pull it all together, while a fireplace mantel hewn from a tree taken on the property rounds out this gracious lake cottage.

This inviting gourmet kitchen designed by Curtis Lumber Co., Inc. is perfect for the entertaining lifestyle of the homeowners who wanted a modern farmhouse kitchen in a new construction build. The look was achieved by mixing in a warmer white finish on the upper cabinets with warmer wood tones for the base cabinets and island. The cabinetry is Merillat Masterpiece, Ganon Full overlay Evercore in Warm White Suede sheen on the upper cabinets and Ganon Full overlay Cherry Barley Suede sheen on the base cabinets and floating shelves. The leg of the island has a beautiful taper to it providing a beautiful architectural detail. Shiplap on the window wall and on the back of the island adds a little extra texture to the space. A microwave drawer in a base cabinet, placed near the refrigerator, creates a separate cooking zone. Tucked in on the outskirts of the kitchen is a beverage refrigerator providing easy access away from cooking areas Ascendra Pulls from Tob Knobs in flat black adorn the cabinetry. Photos property of Curtis Lumber Co., Inc.

Blue Horse Building + Design / Architect - alterstudio architecture llp / Photography -James Leasure
Open concept kitchen - large industrial galley light wood floor and beige floor open concept kitchen idea in Austin with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, stainless steel cabinets, metallic backsplash, an island, stainless steel appliances, metal backsplash and marble countertops

Example of a mid-sized cottage white two-story mixed siding gable roof design in Austin with a shingle roof

This inviting gourmet kitchen designed by Curtis Lumber Co., Inc. is perfect for the entertaining lifestyle of the homeowners who wanted a modern farmhouse kitchen in a new construction build. The look was achieved by mixing in a warmer white finish on the upper cabinets with warmer wood tones for the base cabinets and island. The cabinetry is Merillat Masterpiece, Ganon Full overlay Evercore in Warm White Suede sheen on the upper cabinets and Ganon Full overlay Cherry Barley Suede sheen on the base cabinets and floating shelves. The leg of the island has a beautiful taper to it providing a beautiful architectural detail. Shiplap on the window wall and on the back of the island adds a little extra texture to the space. A microwave drawer in a base cabinet, placed near the refrigerator, creates a separate cooking zone. Tucked in on the outskirts of the kitchen is a beverage refrigerator providing easy access away from cooking areas Ascendra Pulls from Tob Knobs in flat black adorn the cabinetry. Photos property of Curtis Lumber Co., Inc.

This traditional style two-story family home is situated on the quiet outskirts of Southampton. A minimalist white contemporary kitchen with oversize white subway tiles and marble countertops allows the black walnut floors to pop. The contemporary eat-in kitchen table and antique family-heirloom chairs brings a modern feel to the space. The master suite is complete with marble-look tile flooring and industrial-style pendant lights. Upstairs is the guest bath which features a beautiful floating vanity. On the main floor the Living room features a black floor to ceiling continental gas fireplace. The overall contemporary feel of the space brings new life to this mid-century home.

This traditional style two-story family home is situated on the quiet outskirts of Southampton. A minimalist white contemporary kitchen with oversize white subway tiles and marble countertops allows the black walnut floors to pop. The contemporary eat-in kitchen table and antique family-heirloom chairs brings a modern feel to the space. The master suite is complete with marble-look tile flooring and industrial-style pendant lights. Upstairs is the guest bath which features a beautiful floating vanity. On the main floor the Living room features a black floor to ceiling continental gas fireplace. The overall contemporary feel of the space brings new life to this mid-century home.

This traditional style two-story family home is situated on the quiet outskirts of Southampton. A minimalist white contemporary kitchen with oversize white subway tiles and marble countertops allows the black walnut floors to pop. The contemporary eat-in kitchen table and antique family-heirloom chairs brings a modern feel to the space. The master suite is complete with marble-look tile flooring and industrial-style pendant lights. Upstairs is the guest bath which features a beautiful floating vanity. On the main floor the Living room features a black floor to ceiling continental gas fireplace. The overall contemporary feel of the space brings new life to this mid-century home.

This traditional style two-story family home is situated on the quiet outskirts of Southampton. A minimalist white contemporary kitchen with oversize white subway tiles and marble countertops allows the black walnut floors to pop. The contemporary eat-in kitchen table and antique family-heirloom chairs brings a modern feel to the space. The master suite is complete with marble-look tile flooring and industrial-style pendant lights. Upstairs is the guest bath which features a beautiful floating vanity. On the main floor the Living room features a black floor to ceiling continental gas fireplace. The overall contemporary feel of the space brings new life to this mid-century home.

ELIMINATING ECHOS IN A LUXURY POOL HOUSE Innovative & Unobtrusive Acoustic Treatments Engaged By WSDG-Brasil BELO HORIZONTE, BRASIL: How do you keep your pool house from reverberating like a gymnasium? For the owners of a luxurious villa set amidst of one of Brasil’s most breathtaking landscapes, the views and the pastoral silence were priceless. A wide expanse of windows surrounding the infinite lap pool draw attention to the spectacular mountains and gardens framing this opulent weekend residence. Intrusive echoes of laughter and music were unacceptable. The critical acoustical designs devised by WSDG Brasil for the villa’s home theater and other living spaces were inspired by the firms’ professional recording studio expertise. Inhibiting sound from invading or escaping sensitive listening areas is a WSDG specialty. The enclosed pool and spa area, however presented uniquely troubling waters. Especially challenging was the requirement that the acoustical treatments unobtrusively compliment the sumptuous custom finishes. In addition to the 46’ long, 10’ wide lap pool, the 2100 sq. ft structure includes a gym, Jacuzzi and wet bar, bounded by three walls of double height windows. A movable glass sealing system was installed to maintain interior warmth during the cool, mountain region evenings. Prognosis? Warm, but noisy. Here, professional recording studio design techniques provided solutions. Each window, including an expansive skylight grid comprised of 24 individual 7’x5’motorized Italian glass panels, was fitted with two layers of Clearsorber™ Foil special micro-perforated transparent foil with 1” of air space separating the layers. Mounting the foil layers 2” below the glass skylight insured optimal sound absorption. Developed in Germany, these innovative translucent plastic sheets absorb medium and high frequency reverberation to resolve sonic reflection issues. “We have hung panels of this material in front of glass windows in recording studios,” explains WSDG Brasil, GM Renato Cipriano. “They have proved very effective in helping us ‘tune’ rooms without obstructing views. Now they are proving equally helpful in this residential application.” The foil’s full transparency insures unimpeded views and eliminates traditional pool house reverberation. Happily, the product also serves as a UV ray filtering system. Cipriano reports that special attention was also devoted to the pool house floor which is situated over a large machine room. “A number of generators, pumps and air conditioning units live beneath the pool,” he says. “Thanks to our acoustic treatments, they hum away doing their jobs without making their presence known to the guests.” Morro do Chapeau was designed by celebrated Brasilian architect Eduarda Correa. The extensive A/V installation was designed and installed by Versao Brasileira, a leading Belo Horizonte-based high-end home theater specialist. “We have participated on a number of challenging projects with Versao Brasileira,” Cipriano concludes. “They are extremely knowledgeable and we welcome the opportunity to collaborated with them.” ### Photos: Five views of the Morro do Chapeau pool house in Belo Horizonte, Brasil. All glass windows including the expansive skylight are insulated by a special micro perforated transparent foil to eliminate audio reverberation and also serve as a UV ray filtering system. Please credit photos by Jomar Braganca

On the outskirts of downtown lies this contemporary masterpiece. Complete with a 8 x 50 mirror like lap pool, and a custom stainless steel hot tub, this ultra private estate provides the homeowners with every amenity possible to enjoy outdoor living at its best. Photo credit: Jamen Rhodes

Patrick Reynolds
Inspiration for a contemporary blue two-story wood gable roof remodel in Auckland

This traditional rustic kitchen is the perfect place to enjoy time with the family or serve up a nice home meal.
Eat-in kitchen - large traditional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen idea with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, beige backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

On the outskirts of downtown lies this contemporary masterpiece. Complete with a 8 x 50 mirror like lap pool, and a custom stainless steel hot tub, this ultra private estate provides the homeowners with every amenity possible to enjoy outdoor living at its best. Photo credit: Jamen Rhodes

The owner of this private residence on the outskirts of the Belgian town of Grimbergen, who fell in love with the beauty of this miniature ruin, asked the architect to retain the existing walls and build a metal structure behind the brick.

The owner of this private residence on the outskirts of the Belgian town of Grimbergen, who fell in love with the beauty of this miniature ruin, asked the architect to retain the existing walls and build a metal structure behind the brick