Open galley kitchen that is perfect for entertaining. Co-ordinating layered light fixtures all have crystal aspects. The stone/glass mosaic tile backsplash gives the space a little glitter above and below the cabinets. Porcelain tile floor is elegant and rugged. The custom, three panel closet door adds reflected light and the feeling of more space. Photos by Shelly Harrison

Stripped of its original charm with sagging floors and water leaks, this 1900 row house was prime for a full renovation. While the staircase and marble fireplace are original, everything from the white oak flooring, crown, applied, and base moldings, to the archways and brass door hardware is new; yet they all feel original to the house. Other projects included removing soffits and tucking away randomly placed support beams and posts, relocating and expanding the kitchen, renovating each bathroom – and adding a new one, upgrading all the mechanical, electric and plumbing systems, removing a fireplace, and regrading the back patio for proper drainage and added greenery. The project is a perfect study of juxtaposing new and old, classic and modern. Photography Stacy Zarin Goldberg

John Kane / Silver Sun Studio
Inspiration for a victorian gray floor claw-foot bathtub remodel in New York with a console sink

An updated master bath with hints of traditional styling really helped create the perfect oasis for these empty nesters. A few things on the wish list: a large mirror, and seated vanity space, a new freestanding tub, and a more open shower look with lots of options! Take a look at all of the fun materials that brought this space to life. Cabinetry: Ultracraft, Charlotte door, Maple in Arctic White paint Hardware: Emtek Windsor Crystal Knob, French Antique Counters and backsplash: Cambria quartz, Highgate, 3cm with demi-bullnose edge Sinks: Decolav Andra Oval Semi-Recessed Vitreous China Lavatory in white Faucets, Plumbing fixtures and accessories: Brizo Virage collection in Brilliance Brushed Bronze Tub: Jason Hydrotherapy, Forma collection AD553PX soaking tub Tile floor: main floor is Marble Systems Calacatta Gold honed 12x12 with matching formed base molding; tiled rug is the Calacatta Gold Modern Polished basket weave with a border made of the Allure light 2.75x5.5 pieces Shower/Tub tile: main wall tile is Arizona Tile H-Line Pumice Glossy 4x16 ceramic tile; inserts are Marble Systems Show White polished 1x2 herringbone with the Calacatta Gold 5/8x5/8 staggered mosaic on the shower floor Mirror: custom made by Alamo Glass with a Universal Arquati frame

  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

The tub and shower panel were removed to create a space to roll into and transfer onto a seated corner chair supported by grab bars.
Inspiration for a small transitional 3/4 gray tile and porcelain tile pebble tile floor and gray floor alcove shower remodel in Sacramento with a one-piece toilet, white walls, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, an undermount sink and quartz countertops

Combination wet bar and coffee bar. Bottom drawer is sized for liquor bottles. Joyelle West Photography
Small elegant single-wall light wood floor wet bar photo in Boston with an undermount sink, white cabinets, wood countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, brown countertops and shaker cabinets

Example of a large trendy light wood floor kitchen pantry design in New York with white cabinets and open cabinets

The GROHE Retro-Fit™ Shower System transforms a standard shower head into a luxurious shower system quickly and easily– reinventing your bathroom as an invigorating spa. The Retro-Fit is an affordable way to upgrade your shower experience without the expense or hassle of a total plumbing renovation. Stylistically, the Grandera® collection can be combined with a wide range of bathroom furnishings. Thanks to GROHE StarLight® technology, not only will the fittings retain their shine in the long term but they are also extremely resistant to dirt and scratches."

Photographer Tara Striano / Stylist Emily Rickard
Example of an eclectic concrete floor family room design in New York with white walls

Alcove shower - contemporary master white tile and stone tile marble floor and gray floor alcove shower idea in New York with a hinged shower door and a niche

Inspiration for a large transitional master ceramic tile and beige tile ceramic tile and beige floor alcove shower remodel in Minneapolis with flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, a one-piece toilet, gray walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops and white countertops

The Mazama house is located in the Methow Valley of Washington State, a secluded mountain valley on the eastern edge of the North Cascades, about 200 miles northeast of Seattle. The house has been carefully placed in a copse of trees at the easterly end of a large meadow. Two major building volumes indicate the house organization. A grounded 2-story bedroom wing anchors a raised living pavilion that is lifted off the ground by a series of exposed steel columns. Seen from the access road, the large meadow in front of the house continues right under the main living space, making the living pavilion into a kind of bridge structure spanning over the meadow grass, with the house touching the ground lightly on six steel columns. The raised floor level provides enhanced views as well as keeping the main living level well above the 3-4 feet of winter snow accumulation that is typical for the upper Methow Valley. To further emphasize the idea of lightness, the exposed wood structure of the living pavilion roof changes pitch along its length, so the roof warps upward at each end. The interior exposed wood beams appear like an unfolding fan as the roof pitch changes. The main interior bearing columns are steel with a tapered “V”-shape, recalling the lightness of a dancer. The house reflects the continuing FINNE investigation into the idea of crafted modernism, with cast bronze inserts at the front door, variegated laser-cut steel railing panels, a curvilinear cast-glass kitchen counter, waterjet-cut aluminum light fixtures, and many custom furniture pieces. The house interior has been designed to be completely integral with the exterior. The living pavilion contains more than twelve pieces of custom furniture and lighting, creating a totality of the designed environment that recalls the idea of Gesamtkunstverk, as seen in the work of Josef Hoffman and the Viennese Secessionist movement in the early 20th century. The house has been designed from the start as a sustainable structure, with 40% higher insulation values than required by code, radiant concrete slab heating, efficient natural ventilation, large amounts of natural lighting, water-conserving plumbing fixtures, and locally sourced materials. Windows have high-performance LowE insulated glazing and are equipped with concealed shades. A radiant hydronic heat system with exposed concrete floors allows lower operating temperatures and higher occupant comfort levels. The concrete slabs conserve heat and provide great warmth and comfort for the feet. Deep roof overhangs, built-in shades and high operating clerestory windows are used to reduce heat gain in summer months. During the winter, the lower sun angle is able to penetrate into living spaces and passively warm the exposed concrete floor. Low VOC paints and stains have been used throughout the house. The high level of craft evident in the house reflects another key principle of sustainable design: build it well and make it last for many years! Photo by Benjamin Benschneider

This porcelain tile shower mimics weathered wood planks with classic penny tile on the floor. photo by: Jason Hulet

The new space feels light, airy and open exuding a tranquil sophistication. A relaxed, meditative atmosphere is achieved by combining glass tile, white walls, dark cabinets and a porcelain countertop.

Snowberry Lane Photography
Large beach style master green tile and subway tile porcelain tile and gray floor freestanding bathtub photo in Seattle with gray cabinets, a vessel sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops, shaker cabinets and green walls

In 2014, we were approached by a couple to achieve a dream space within their existing home. They wanted to expand their existing bar, wine, and cigar storage into a new one-of-a-kind room. Proud of their Italian heritage, they also wanted to bring an “old-world” feel into this project to be reminded of the unique character they experienced in Italian cellars. The dramatic tone of the space revolves around the signature piece of the project; a custom milled stone spiral stair that provides access from the first floor to the entry of the room. This stair tower features stone walls, custom iron handrails and spindles, and dry-laid milled stone treads and riser blocks. Once down the staircase, the entry to the cellar is through a French door assembly. The interior of the room is clad with stone veneer on the walls and a brick barrel vault ceiling. The natural stone and brick color bring in the cellar feel the client was looking for, while the rustic alder beams, flooring, and cabinetry help provide warmth. The entry door sequence is repeated along both walls in the room to provide rhythm in each ceiling barrel vault. These French doors also act as wine and cigar storage. To allow for ample cigar storage, a fully custom walk-in humidor was designed opposite the entry doors. The room is controlled by a fully concealed, state-of-the-art HVAC smoke eater system that allows for cigar enjoyment without any odor.

Tuscan deck photo in Atlanta

Inspiration for a mediterranean kitchen remodel in Dallas