Example of a huge beach style u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen design in Minneapolis with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, beige backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, a farmhouse sink, marble countertops and mosaic tile backsplash

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   This client was referred to us from a past client. They are a busy 2-career household with young children and enjoy entertaining friends and family in their home. They have a beautiful open concept home but unfortunately the kitchen was not fitting for the rest of the home. They were not quite sure what to do with the space. We talked about trying to refresh it or do more of a minor remodel, but in the end they decided a full gut would get them to where they wanted to be. One problem was there was no place for guests to hang out other than the large and awkward banquette area. The brick wall and tiled hood area were feeling a bit dated and tired. The space was just not functional for their lifestyle. There was no prep space near the cooktop and no landing area for items coming out of the ovens or refrigerator, plus a big dead zone in the center of the room. Banquettes, like the one they previously had in the space, are great for small spaces, but when they get really large like this one, it makes getting in and out of the seating area awkward and uncomfortable. Plus, there was room for a large table, so we eliminated the awkward built in. We started by removing the faux brick wall between the kitchen and back entry. We relocated the entry to the garage over a couple feet in order to get every last inch out of the new kitchen. We also made the decision to close up the primary window that faced the pretty ho hum brick wall of the neighbor’s house. There was plenty of light coming in from the seating area, so we just didn’t feel the window was adding much to the room. Construction went smoothy. There was a bit of rework with electrical, flooring and HVAC, but in the end, we think it was well worth it. The clients really wanted a sleek contemporary look, and we originally had planned for a full height slab backsplash, but due to it’s size, it was a budget buster. Instead, we got creative and settled on large format porcelain tiles that have a similar feel but were a fraction of the cost. We made sure the wall was plumb and level so that the fit and finish would mimic that of slab material. The final space was quite a change. A large prep sink sits directly across from the new pro-style range with plenty additional prep space on the large island. The refrigerator and ovens now have miles of landing space, and a nice tight work triangle makes cooking a breeze. Since we wanted a more contemporary feel, not many wall cabinets were included. Instead, we outfitted some of the drawers for dish storage with a peg system. Two large pantries flanking the refrigerator hold baking supplies and small appliances. Large drawers by the cooktop hold pots and pans, and an appliance garage tucked away to the left of the range hides away miscellaneous items. The large island also houses a microwave drawer and tons of storage, most of which is drawers offering maximum convenience. The island now seats 5-6 people comfortably along with the new table in the seating area which can seat up to 8. Entertaining will be a breeze in this space. With such a clean backdrop, we knew we would need some drama with the lighting, so we chose two sets of staggered pendants, which we adjusted for the right visual balance above the island. We also included a small coffee station to the right of the main kitchen, which helps keep the coffee clutter out of the kitchen proper. Two tones of complimentary gray are featured in this kitchen. The perimeter is a light gray that reads almost white. The island is a gray stain that adds some depth and interest with the visible wood texture. The countertops are clean white quartz, and the hardware, barstools and light fixtures add warm brass tones. I see lots of cooking and entertaining with family and friends in the near future in this bright and airy new space. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Fu-Tung Cheng, CHENG Design • Master Bedroom featuring Wood Sculpture by David Ward, House 6 Concrete and Wood Home House 6, is Cheng Design’s sixth custom home project, was redesigned and constructed from top-to-bottom. The project represents a major career milestone thanks to the unique and innovative use of concrete, as this residence is one of Cheng Design’s first-ever ‘hybrid’ structures, constructed as a combination of wood and concrete. Photography: Matthew Millman

Walk-in shower - contemporary walk-in shower idea in Cleveland

Santa Cecelia granite countertops beautifully matched the bright white Plato Prelude kitchen cabinets in this Racine home. A 36" GE Monogram 5 burner gas cooktop provided a large cooking area with proper ventilation from Vent-a-hood. GE Monogram Top Control dishwasher blended in with a stainless steel finish. For the kitchen sink, a ProFlo undermount double bowl stainless steel model was used with a Delta Leland pull-out single lever kitchen faucet in Arctic steel. To compliment, an InSinkErator Pro Compact 3/4 hp model handles the disposal. New Brazilian cherry hardwood flooring adds the proper contrast needed while providing a very clean look.

Rebecca Lindenmeyr
This is an example of a traditional full sun front yard stone garden path in Burlington.

Working from the existing home’s deficits, we designed a bright and classic home well-suited to today’s living. Instead of a dark tunnel-like entry, we have a skylight custom curving stair that no one can believe is not original. Instead of a maze of rooms to reach the gorgeous park-like backyard, we have a clear central axis, allowing a sightline right through from the top of the stairs. Instead of three bedrooms scattered all over the house, we have zoned them to the second floor, each well-proportioned with a true master suite. Painted wood paneling, face-frame cabinets, box-beam beilings and Calacatta counters express the classic grandeur of the home.

The gentleman's walk-in closet and dressing area feature natural wood shelving and cabinetry with a medium custom stain applied by master skilled artisans. Interior Architecture by Brian O'Keefe Architect, PC, with Interior Design by Marjorie Shushan. Featured in Architectural Digest. Photo by Liz Ordonoz.

Taylor Photo
Inspiration for a transitional dark wood floor and brown floor dining room remodel in Chicago with beige walls

Master Bath and Shower Photograph by Gordon Beall
Inspiration for a timeless master white tile and ceramic tile marble floor freestanding bathtub remodel in DC Metro with white walls, marble countertops and a console sink

This remodel consisted of a whole house transformation. We took this 3 bedroom dated home and turned it into a 5 bedroom award winning showpiece, all without an addition. By reworking the awkward floor plan and lowering the living room floor to be level with the rest of the house we were able to create additional space within the existing footprint of the home. What was once the small lack-luster master suite, is now 2 kids bedrooms that share a jack and jill bath. The master suite was relocated to the first floor, and the kitchen that was located right at the front door, is now located in the back of the home with great access to the patio overlooking the golf course. View more about this project and our company at our website: www.davefox.com

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

Rob Karosis
Inspiration for a cottage white tile and subway tile bathroom remodel in New York

MA Peterson www.mapeterson.com A bright and airy galley kitchen, offering easy pass-through for the family.
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless galley dark wood floor and brown floor enclosed kitchen remodel in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white backsplash, white cabinets, granite countertops, subway tile backsplash and no island

This Master Bath recreates the character of the farmhouse while adding all the modern amenities. The slipper tub, the stone hexagon tiles, the painted wainscot, and the natural wood vanities all add texture and detail. Robert Brewster Photography

Michael Hunter
Example of a transitional white tile gray floor bathroom design in Dallas with gray walls

Martha O'Hara Interiors, Interior Design & Photo Styling | John Kraemer & Sons, Remodel | Troy Thies, Photography Please Note: All “related,” “similar,” and “sponsored” products tagged or listed by Houzz are not actual products pictured. They have not been approved by Martha O’Hara Interiors nor any of the professionals credited. For information about our work, please contact design@oharainteriors.com.

Photo byAngie Seckinger Small walk-in designed for maximum use of space. Custom accessory storage includes double-decker jewelry drawer with velvet inserts, Maple pull-outs behind door for necklaces & scarves, vanity area with mirror, slanted shoe shelves, valet rods & hooks.

Designed by Cameron Snyder, CKD and Julie Lyons. Removing the former wall between the kitchen and dining room to create an open floor plan meant the former powder room tucked in a corner needed to be relocated. Cameron designed a 7' by 6' space framed with curved wall in the middle of the new space to locate the new powder room and it became an instant focal point perfectly located for guests and easily accessible from the kitchen, living and dining room areas. Both the pedestal lavatory and one piece sanagloss toilet are from TOTO Guinevere collection. Faucet is from the Newport Brass-Bevelle series in Polished Nickel with lever handles.