Search results for "Pandemic" in Home Design Ideas

The Living Room in the 2021/2022 Season
The guiding principle in designing the living room in the 2021/2022 season is to create a comfortable minimalist space with a touch of the natural with regard to colour and décor.
It is equally worthy of note that the pandemic – having forced people to stay at home more often – has increased the functionality of the home. This is particularly true for the living room. Future designs may have to incorporate a gym, a workspace, or a place for recreation in the living room. These separate areas could be partitioned off whenever necessary using glass or metal foldable doors.
In keeping with the contemporary love of nature, living rooms are now featured in colours that reflect nature. This ranges from painting walls in such colours as sage, blue-green or Summer foliage colour, to painting furniture in such hues as pink, warm gray, blue-green or terracotta.
The furnishings are a throwback to the style of the 70's. However, this retro style is merged with such design styles as the Scandinavian design, Art Deco and minimalism. The furnishings are also marked by roundness, flowing lines, velvet upholstery and metallic objects.

This Mercer Island ensuite renovation was not just a simple bedroom, closet, and bathroom upgrade but a thoughtful reconfiguration of the entire space. The clients, who were referred by a designer they had previously worked with, aimed to transform their outdated and impractical bathroom into a modern, functional, and spa-like sanctuary.
The project, initially delayed due to the pandemic, required significant adjustments to the original plans to meet permit requirements. The existing layout featured dated finishes and tiles, impractical vessel sinks, and lacked space for a king-size bed to overlook the water. To address these issues, the renovation involved extending the bedroom wall to accommodate the bed, replacing outdated finishes with modern white rift oak cabinetry and quartz countertops, and creating a huge walk-in closet. Additionally, the renovation team worked meticulously to ensure the new layout provided better lighting and ventilation.
The outcome was a transformed ensuite that exudes high-end privacy and style. By swapping the locations of the toilet and shower, the team created a more private and functional space, enhancing the overall spa-like experience. The new design not only met the clients' needs but also exceeded their expectations, resulting in a cozy, intimate area that perfectly blends ultra-modern aesthetics with practical functionality.

The 2021 Southern Living Idea House is inspiring on multiple levels—from the stunning location in Louisville, Kentucky overlooking the Ohio river, to the design-driven home that marries European countryside vibes with a timeless aesthetic. Dubbed the “forever home,” the concept was to design for all stages of life, with thoughtful spaces that meet the ever-evolving needs of families today.
The 5,545-square-foot, Colonial Greek Revival Cottage-style home is located in The Breakers at Prospect community and is the collective effort of many. While it may have formerly been a trend to embrace open layout living spaces, following the pandemic families are seeking spaces in the home that feel separated, to allow for privacy. Rooms with clear intentions allow more options for areas in which to spend time, depending on your mood, and this home perfectly balances livable and lively ideas.
Marvin products were chosen for this project to maximize the use of natural light, allow airflow from outdoors to indoors, and provide expansive views that overlook the Ohio River.
MARVIN PRODUCTS USED:
Marvin Awaken Skylight
Marvin Ultimate Casement Window
Marvin Ultimate Double Hung G2 Window
Marvin Ultimate Picture Window
Marvin Ultimate Direct Glaze Round Top Window
Marvin Ultimate Swinging French Door G2
BUILDER: Jason Black and Jimmy King of Artisan Signature Homes
ARCHITECT: Brandon Ingram of C. Brandon Ingram Design
INTERIOR DESIGNER: Sarah Bartholomew, Sarah Bartholomew Design
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: Josh Myers of Myers & Co. Landscape Architecture
PHOTOGRAPHY: Laurey W. Glenn, Marta Xochilt Perez, and Kriech-Higdon Photography for Southern Living
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Since the pandemic more of us are working from home and loving it. Working from home can often means “repurposing.” A spare bedroom becomes a home office, and that sometimes means a less-than-comfortable place to work. Then there’s the distraction of a busy family and friendly dog just down the hall.
The owners of this Minneapolis home wanted a bigger, more private place to work from home. With harsh Minnesota winters, they also needed a big garage to both cars, lawn and garden equipment and recreational toys
The design accomplished both: A second floor, finished, private work from home but not-in-the-home office above a big two+ car garage.
This 24’ X 24’ garage can easily fit two cars and lots of recreational and maintenance equipment.
With the stairs located inside the garage there’s no worry about slipping on icy, snowy stairs each winter. The second-floor office is fully finished and heated. It’s become the perfect home office just a few steps from the back door.
The new garage/office was designed to match the exterior of the existing home in both style and color. Landscaping has just begun and will tie the home and garage together.
The owners get lots of questions from curious neighbors about this project because this design could work with many homes in this neighborhood. A similar design could accommodate a second-floor apartment, art or yoga studio.

This beautiful home is an example of what can be achieved on a small lot. Interactive Construction was able to provide these homeowners with a Passive House that fit perfectly into their heritage neighbourhood, onto their narrow lot, and with their personalities.
There are huge energy savings built into the design of this home. In keeping with Passive House principles, the house is insulated everywhere to minimize heat loss meaning this house doesn’t require a conventional heat source. There is an extremely efficient Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) system that quietly manages airflow throughout the building and takes the heat from showers and cooking before expelling cool, filtered air. Triple glazed windows cut down on heat loss and are almost all openable to aid in cooling instead of a costly air conditioner.
Environmental considerations in this build go beyond energy savings. The decision to use prefabricated wall panels and roof trusses to cut down on waste and aid in site storage of lumber.
This house’s innovation comes from it being a modern design passive house that it somehow fits very well in a neighbourhood filled with heritage houses. We managed to squeeze a lot of house onto a postage sized lot and still have it feel roomy inside and in the yard.
And check out those funky stairs!
What the homeowners had to say:
Despite the huge and unforeseen challenges of building safely and efficiently during the 2020 Covid pandemic, especially on a very narrow lot, Interactive's exceptional crew and their team of skilled subcontractors delivered our dream house.

Clients came to us early on during their home-buying phase. They had to decide between a brand-new condo only needing some additional cabinetry and an older condo needing everything, but with a much better view. Once they learned we also offer GC services, and one company could do it all, they decided to purchase the older unit and make it their own. Brand new over-sized porcelain floor tile, imported from Italy and to look like wood, set the standard. The clients who love to travel have a very eclectic style, and it was fun to bring in a splash of color into the cabinetry to bring it all together. While shopping for the tile, the client spotted a wall-paper made in Italy, which was the perfect find for the back wall of the powder bath.
The LEICHT cabinets vary from high-gloss SIRIUS CONTINO in the kitchen, the MINERA matt finish in the office and the TOPOS real veneer front for the master bath. Countertops are white quartz through-out for continuity.
The challenge here was that we started this remodel right when the pandemic happened, and being such a huge project, it was all consuming. But somehow we were allowed in the building, sometimes one person or one trade at the time, and we were able to finish this project on-time, even with several change-orders.

Clients came to us early on during their home-buying phase. They had to decide between a brand-new condo only needing some additional cabinetry and an older condo needing everything, but with a much better view. Once they learned we also offer GC services, and one company could do it all, they decided to purchase the older unit and make it their own. Brand new over-sized porcelain floor tile, imported from Italy and to look like wood, set the standard. The clients who love to travel have a very eclectic style, and it was fun to bring in a splash of color into the cabinetry to bring it all together. While shopping for the tile, the client spotted a wall-paper made in Italy, which was the perfect find for the back wall of the powder bath.
The LEICHT cabinets vary from high-gloss SIRIUS CONTINO in the kitchen, the MINERA matt finish in the office and the TOPOS real veneer front for the master bath. Countertops are white quartz through-out for continuity.
The challenge here was that we started this remodel right when the pandemic happened, and being such a huge project, it was all consuming. But somehow we were allowed in the building, sometimes one person or one trade at the time, and we were able to finish this project on-time, even with several change-orders.

What a joy to bring this exciting renovation to a loyal client: a family of 6 that has called this Highland Park house, “home” for over 25 years. This relationship began in 2017 when we designed their living room, girls’ bedrooms, powder room, and in-home office. We were thrilled when they entrusted us again with their kitchen, family room, dining room, and laundry area design. Their first floor became our JSDG playground…
Our priority was to bring fresh, flowing energy to the family’s first floor. We started by removing partial walls to create a more open floor plan and transformed a once huge fireplace into a modern bar set up. We reconfigured a stunning, ventless fireplace and oriented it floor to ceiling tile in the family room. Our second priority was to create an outdoor space for safe socializing during the pandemic, as we executed this project during the thick of it. We designed the entire outdoor area with the utmost intention and consulted on the gorgeous outdoor paint selections. Stay tuned for photos of this outdoors space on the site soon!
Overall, this project was a true labor of love. We are grateful to again bring beauty, flow and function to this beloved client’s warm home.

This Mercer Island ensuite renovation was not just a simple bedroom, closet, and bathroom upgrade but a thoughtful reconfiguration of the entire space. The clients, who were referred by a designer they had previously worked with, aimed to transform their outdated and impractical bathroom into a modern, functional, and spa-like sanctuary.
The project, initially delayed due to the pandemic, required significant adjustments to the original plans to meet permit requirements. The existing layout featured dated finishes and tiles, impractical vessel sinks, and lacked space for a king-size bed to overlook the water. To address these issues, the renovation involved extending the bedroom wall to accommodate the bed, replacing outdated finishes with modern white rift oak cabinetry and quartz countertops, and creating a huge walk-in closet. Additionally, the renovation team worked meticulously to ensure the new layout provided better lighting and ventilation.
The outcome was a transformed ensuite that exudes high-end privacy and style. By swapping the locations of the toilet and shower, the team created a more private and functional space, enhancing the overall spa-like experience. The new design not only met the clients' needs but also exceeded their expectations, resulting in a cozy, intimate area that perfectly blends ultra-modern aesthetics with practical functionality.

What a joy to bring this exciting renovation to a loyal client: a family of 6 that has called this Highland Park house, “home” for over 25 years. This relationship began in 2017 when we designed their living room, girls’ bedrooms, powder room, and in-home office. We were thrilled when they entrusted us again with their kitchen, family room, dining room, and laundry area design. Their first floor became our JSDG playground…
Our priority was to bring fresh, flowing energy to the family’s first floor. We started by removing partial walls to create a more open floor plan and transformed a once huge fireplace into a modern bar set up. We reconfigured a stunning, ventless fireplace and oriented it floor to ceiling tile in the family room. Our second priority was to create an outdoor space for safe socializing during the pandemic, as we executed this project during the thick of it. We designed the entire outdoor area with the utmost intention and consulted on the gorgeous outdoor paint selections. Stay tuned for photos of this outdoors space on the site soon!
Overall, this project was a true labor of love. We are grateful to again bring beauty, flow and function to this beloved client’s warm home.

This is a super modern townhome with original pale tones, mainly a white canvas. Our sophisticated and well-traveled out-of-town clients purchased this townhome right in the middle of the pandemic. They needed a full-cycle interior design studio like ours to take on this project while they were in transit to Montecito.
The scope was the complete renovation and facelift of the kitchen, powder room, master bedroom, master bathroom, guest suites, basement, and outdoor areas. Our clients wanted to bring warm tones such as orange and red throughout the 4-story Montecito townhome. They were open to discovering and implementing different interior design ideas in each section of the house.
This project also features our SORELLA furniture pieces made exclusively by hand in Portugal and shipped to our clients in Montecito. You can find our TABATA Ottoman, our IKI Chair, and the ROCCO Table, adding that special touch to this beautiful townhome.
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Project designed by Montecito interior designer Margarita Bravo. She serves Montecito as well as surrounding areas such as Hope Ranch, Summerland, Santa Barbara, Isla Vista, Mission Canyon, Carpinteria, Goleta, Ojai, Los Olivos, and Solvang.
For more about MARGARITA BRAVO, click here: https://www.margaritabravo.com/
To learn more about this project, click here:
https://www.margaritabravo.com/portfolio/denver-interior-design-eclectic-modern/

What a joy to bring this exciting renovation to a loyal client: a family of 6 that has called this Highland Park house, “home” for over 25 years. This relationship began in 2017 when we designed their living room, girls’ bedrooms, powder room, and in-home office. We were thrilled when they entrusted us again with their kitchen, family room, dining room, and laundry area design. Their first floor became our JSDG playground…
Our priority was to bring fresh, flowing energy to the family’s first floor. We started by removing partial walls to create a more open floor plan and transformed a once huge fireplace into a modern bar set up. We reconfigured a stunning, ventless fireplace and oriented it floor to ceiling tile in the family room. Our second priority was to create an outdoor space for safe socializing during the pandemic, as we executed this project during the thick of it. We designed the entire outdoor area with the utmost intention and consulted on the gorgeous outdoor paint selections. Stay tuned for photos of this outdoors space on the site soon!
Overall, this project was a true labor of love. We are grateful to again bring beauty, flow and function to this beloved client’s warm home.

We were approached by a Karen, a renowned sculptor, and her husband Tim, a retired MD, to collaborate on a whole-home renovation and furnishings overhaul of their newly purchased and very dated “forever home” with sweeping mountain views in Tigard. Karen and I very quickly found that we shared a genuine love of color, and from day one, this project was artistic and thoughtful, playful, and spirited. We updated tired surfaces and reworked odd angles, designing functional yet beautiful spaces that will serve this family for years to come. Warm, inviting colors surround you in these rooms, and classic lines play with unique pattern and bold scale. Personal touches, including mini versions of Karen’s work, appear throughout, and pages from a vintage book of Audubon paintings that she’d treasured for “ages” absolutely shine displayed framed in the living room.
Partnering with a proficient and dedicated general contractor (LHL Custom Homes & Remodeling) makes all the difference on a project like this. Our clients were patient and understanding, and despite the frustrating delays and extreme challenges of navigating the 2020/2021 pandemic, they couldn’t be happier with the results.
Photography by Christopher Dibble

The interior of this spacious, upscale Bauhaus-style home, designed by our Boston studio, uses earthy materials like subtle woven touches and timber and metallic finishes to provide natural textures and form. The cozy, minimalist environment is light and airy and marked with playful elements like a recurring zig-zag pattern and peaceful escapes including the primary bedroom and a made-over sun porch.
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Project designed by Boston interior design studio Dane Austin Design. They serve Boston, Cambridge, Hingham, Cohasset, Newton, Weston, Lexington, Concord, Dover, Andover, Gloucester, as well as surrounding areas.
For more about Dane Austin Design, click here: https://daneaustindesign.com/
To learn more about this project, click here:
https://daneaustindesign.com/weston-bauhaus

Since the pandemic more of us are working from home and loving it. Working from home can often means “repurposing.” A spare bedroom becomes a home office, and that sometimes means a less-than-comfortable place to work. Then there’s the distraction of a busy family and friendly dog just down the hall.
The owners of this Minneapolis home wanted a bigger, more private place to work from home. With harsh Minnesota winters, they also needed a big garage to both cars, lawn and garden equipment and recreational toys
The design accomplished both: A second floor, finished, private work from home but not-in-the-home office above a big two+ car garage.
This 24’ X 24’ garage can easily fit two cars and lots of recreational and maintenance equipment.
With the stairs located inside the garage there’s no worry about slipping on icy, snowy stairs each winter. The second-floor office is fully finished and heated. It’s become the perfect home office just a few steps from the back door.
The new garage/office was designed to match the exterior of the existing home in both style and color. Landscaping has just begun and will tie the home and garage together.
The owners get lots of questions from curious neighbors about this project because this design could work with many homes in this neighborhood. A similar design could accommodate a second-floor apartment, art or yoga studio.

This is a super modern townhome with original pale tones, mainly a white canvas. Our sophisticated and well-traveled out-of-town clients purchased this townhome right in the middle of the pandemic. They needed a full-cycle interior design studio like ours to take on this project while they were in transit to Montecito.
The scope was the complete renovation and facelift of the kitchen, powder room, master bedroom, master bathroom, guest suites, basement, and outdoor areas. Our clients wanted to bring warm tones such as orange and red throughout the 4-story Montecito townhome. They were open to discovering and implementing different interior design ideas in each section of the house.
This project also features our SORELLA furniture pieces made exclusively by hand in Portugal and shipped to our clients in Montecito. You can find our TABATA Ottoman, our IKI Chair, and the ROCCO Table, adding that special touch to this beautiful townhome.
---
Project designed by Montecito interior designer Margarita Bravo. She serves Montecito as well as surrounding areas such as Hope Ranch, Summerland, Santa Barbara, Isla Vista, Mission Canyon, Carpinteria, Goleta, Ojai, Los Olivos, and Solvang.
For more about MARGARITA BRAVO, click here: https://www.margaritabravo.com/
To learn more about this project, click here:
https://www.margaritabravo.com/portfolio/denver-interior-design-eclectic-modern/

What a joy to bring this exciting renovation to a loyal client: a family of 6 that has called this Highland Park house, “home” for over 25 years. This relationship began in 2017 when we designed their living room, girls’ bedrooms, powder room, and in-home office. We were thrilled when they entrusted us again with their kitchen, family room, dining room, and laundry area design. Their first floor became our JSDG playground…
Our priority was to bring fresh, flowing energy to the family’s first floor. We started by removing partial walls to create a more open floor plan and transformed a once huge fireplace into a modern bar set up. We reconfigured a stunning, ventless fireplace and oriented it floor to ceiling tile in the family room. Our second priority was to create an outdoor space for safe socializing during the pandemic, as we executed this project during the thick of it. We designed the entire outdoor area with the utmost intention and consulted on the gorgeous outdoor paint selections. Stay tuned for photos of this outdoors space on the site soon!
Overall, this project was a true labor of love. We are grateful to again bring beauty, flow and function to this beloved client’s warm home.

What a joy to bring this exciting renovation to a loyal client: a family of 6 that has called this Highland Park house, “home” for over 25 years. This relationship began in 2017 when we designed their living room, girls’ bedrooms, powder room, and in-home office. We were thrilled when they entrusted us again with their kitchen, family room, dining room, and laundry area design. Their first floor became our JSDG playground…
Our priority was to bring fresh, flowing energy to the family’s first floor. We started by removing partial walls to create a more open floor plan and transformed a once huge fireplace into a modern bar set up. We reconfigured a stunning, ventless fireplace and oriented it floor to ceiling tile in the family room. Our second priority was to create an outdoor space for safe socializing during the pandemic, as we executed this project during the thick of it. We designed the entire outdoor area with the utmost intention and consulted on the gorgeous outdoor paint selections. Stay tuned for photos of this outdoors space on the site soon!
Overall, this project was a true labor of love. We are grateful to again bring beauty, flow and function to this beloved client’s warm home.

What a joy to bring this exciting renovation to a loyal client: a family of 6 that has called this Highland Park house, “home” for over 25 years. This relationship began in 2017 when we designed their living room, girls’ bedrooms, powder room, and in-home office. We were thrilled when they entrusted us again with their kitchen, family room, dining room, and laundry area design. Their first floor became our JSDG playground…
Our priority was to bring fresh, flowing energy to the family’s first floor. We started by removing partial walls to create a more open floor plan and transformed a once huge fireplace into a modern bar set up. We reconfigured a stunning, ventless fireplace and oriented it floor to ceiling tile in the family room. Our second priority was to create an outdoor space for safe socializing during the pandemic, as we executed this project during the thick of it. We designed the entire outdoor area with the utmost intention and consulted on the gorgeous outdoor paint selections. Stay tuned for photos of this outdoors space on the site soon!
Overall, this project was a true labor of love. We are grateful to again bring beauty, flow and function to this beloved client’s warm home.

What a joy to bring this exciting renovation to a loyal client: a family of 6 that has called this Highland Park house, “home” for over 25 years. This relationship began in 2017 when we designed their living room, girls’ bedrooms, powder room, and in-home office. We were thrilled when they entrusted us again with their kitchen, family room, dining room, and laundry area design. Their first floor became our JSDG playground…
Our priority was to bring fresh, flowing energy to the family’s first floor. We started by removing partial walls to create a more open floor plan and transformed a once huge fireplace into a modern bar set up. We reconfigured a stunning, ventless fireplace and oriented it floor to ceiling tile in the family room. Our second priority was to create an outdoor space for safe socializing during the pandemic, as we executed this project during the thick of it. We designed the entire outdoor area with the utmost intention and consulted on the gorgeous outdoor paint selections. Stay tuned for photos of this outdoors space on the site soon!
Overall, this project was a true labor of love. We are grateful to again bring beauty, flow and function to this beloved client’s warm home.
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