Tim Lenz
Transitional enclosed medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room photo in New York with beige walls

Living room - cottage formal and open concept concrete floor and gray floor living room idea in Portland with white walls and no tv

Kids' room - transitional boy light wood floor and beige floor kids' room idea in San Francisco with gray walls

This accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a sustainable, compact home for the homeowner's aging parent. Although the home is only 660 sq. ft., it has a bedroom, full kitchen (with dishwasher!) and even an elevator for the aging parents. We used many strategically-placed windows and skylights to make the space feel more expansive. The ADU is also full of sustainable features, including the solar panels on the roof.

When marrying two Upper West Side apartments to accommodate a growing family’s needs, the team at Axis Mundi was faced with a conundrum: how to distinctly delineate public and private spaces without sacrificing the greater openness conferred by the expansion. So they limned that line with a six-foot square sliding glass door, which enables parents to block out the sounds of rambunctious youth emanating from private quarters, while also shielding sleeping children from the later night activities of their parents—all of it without obscuring light or affecting the impression of open-plan living. Continuity of materials—hand-scraped walnut plank floors, a custom bamboo veneer kitchen and living room shelving—enhances the sense of sweeping, loft-like spaces. Materials also create intriguing textural contrasts, as in a powder room where a high-tech glass sink and black stainless steel penny tile is softened by a leather door with contrast stitching one must open to enter the space. Highlights: A pair of Gio Ponti lounge chairs, black glass rock tables and a William Yeoward area rug from the Rug Company (living room), sliding glass shower door from Magnum in the master bath. Total Area: 1950 sf Design Team: John Beckmann, Richard Rosenbloom and Nick Messerlian Photography: Mikiko Kikuyama © Axis Mundi Design LLC

Nick Klein © 2018 Houzz
Inspiration for a transitional living room remodel

Nick Klein © 2018 Houzz
Inspiration for a transitional living room remodel

Tim Lenz
Inspiration for a transitional medium tone wood floor and brown floor bedroom remodel in New York with white walls

Example of a mid-sized 1950s u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen design in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, blue backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, no island, white countertops and solid surface countertops

Tim Lenz
Transitional medium tone wood floor and brown floor bedroom photo in New York with white walls

Canyon Design Build created this Corte Madera, CA ADU as a private, accessible living space for an aging parent—complete with a full kitchen, vaulted ceilings, warm mid-century style, and a shared deck that connects the family while honoring independence.

Nick Klein © 2018 Houzz
Example of a transitional living room design in San Francisco

This artistic and design-forward family approached us at the beginning of the pandemic with a design prompt to blend their love of midcentury modern design with their Caribbean roots. With her parents originating from Trinidad & Tobago and his parents from Jamaica, they wanted their home to be an authentic representation of their heritage, with a midcentury modern twist. We found inspiration from a colorful Trinidad & Tobago tourism poster that they already owned and carried the tropical colors throughout the house — rich blues in the main bathroom, deep greens and oranges in the powder bathroom, mustard yellow in the dining room and guest bathroom, and sage green in the kitchen. This project was featured on Dwell in January 2022.

Nick Klein © 2018 Houzz
Inspiration for a transitional living room remodel

Photo: Sarah Seung-McFarland © 2016 Houzz
Example of an eclectic living room design in New York

I designed a nursery for first time parents expecting a baby boy. The room had an existing painted brick wall which became my inspiration. I kept the pallette neutral with soft greys, washed woods, linens and added some hints of pale blue. The soft details in the furniture and curves of the chair create such a sweet spot in the room. My main pop of color was orange inspired by the artwork. Functionally, I added storage galore to accomodate overflow from the parents room and enough to hold all things baby. We love this crib with the border detail and its washed grey wood finish. We added some pale blue touches with the bedding and the rug. The round silohuette of the rocking chair brings so much softness. The felt ball mobile adds texture and playful character against the brick wall. Closets for critical storage and the black vase, ground the room.

Tim Lenz
Large transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen photo in New York with marble countertops, stainless steel appliances, an island, a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash and gray countertops

Kids' room - mid-sized contemporary boy medium tone wood floor and brown floor kids' room idea in San Francisco with white walls

This artistic and design-forward family approached us at the beginning of the pandemic with a design prompt to blend their love of midcentury modern design with their Caribbean roots. With her parents originating from Trinidad & Tobago and his parents from Jamaica, they wanted their home to be an authentic representation of their heritage, with a midcentury modern twist. We found inspiration from a colorful Trinidad & Tobago tourism poster that they already owned and carried the tropical colors throughout the house — rich blues in the main bathroom, deep greens and oranges in the powder bathroom, mustard yellow in the dining room and guest bathroom, and sage green in the kitchen. This project was featured on Dwell in January 2022.