Tom Clary, Clarified Studios
Mid-sized eclectic travertine floor great room photo in Los Angeles with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Example of a large transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen pantry design in Los Angeles with beaded inset cabinets and white cabinets

Wanting to alter the existing basement stairs to accommodate a more updated look, the owners decided to keep their existing stained wood treads. Because they have a toddler, enclosing the risers was their number one concern. They kept the same look for the spindles, just brought them up to today's codes. The new railing and newel post were stained to match the existing stair treads.During the process, the owners decided against built-in storage to keep an open feel. Chalk board paint was used on the wall and under the stairs molding was used to create a custom panel look.

RVP Photography
This is an example of a modern back porch design in Cincinnati with decking and a roof extension.

Eat-in kitchen - large transitional u-shaped dark wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in Minneapolis with a double-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and black countertops

Exterior view of this grand Victorian house, completely restored and updated and with new kitchen and master bedroom suite addition, swimming pool, covered outdoor kitchen and dining areas, and lush tropical landscaping.

Updated Spec Home: Foyer and Great Room In our last post, we introduced you to my mom and sister’s Updated Spec Home; the Foyer and Great Room will be featured in this post. Foyer As you enter their home, to the right is a hall closet and a french door which leads to the Basement. To the left is a long wall which was perfect for an extra long console table in a rustic finish that served as a sofa table in their previous home. I love repositioning furniture, and by using this table in the entry, it makes it feel new. Additionally, we placed a vibrant piece of art previously used in my sister’s Bedroom above the table. This piece not only sets the tone for our color palette, it also makes the kind of statement you want in your Foyer – Wow! We added accessories and an unique lamp to complete the space. Great Room In the Great Room which is open to the Foyer, we installed our inspiration artwork in the place of honor over the mantel. Since the piece was vertical, it did not take up enough space. I do not like a “fussy” mantel with lots of accessories so we found these two vases in a silver leaf finish. They were perfect because they were large enough, but not too deep. Accessorizing mantels can be tricky because the majority of them are not deep. We went to Jan’s Floral Design to add vibrant color and interesting textures to the vases. The original mantel was too small and uninspired. Therefore, we had our contractor Brad Anderson built a new one based on a photo of a mantel we liked. The new mantel has lots of great detail and is the appropriate proportion for the fireplace. We replaced beige 12×12 ceramic tiles with gorgeous large pieces of smoked carrara marble for a striking fireplace surround. Check out this other mantel that we updated. For furniture, we purchased a shorter sofa in a gray tweed fabric. Typically, two throw pillows come with a sofa.We added a fun fringe to the pillows that came with the sofa. I recommend ordering pillows that match your sofa fabric and layering with custom pillows that support your color palette. We added a patterned custom pillow and a striped throw. Next, we got a small scale recliner in a yummy gray leather for my mom and a chair and ottoman in a small scale mint and gray geometric pattern for my sister. We added an accent chair in a fun small scale stripe to fill a corner and add additional seating – which is always a good thing. Remember that this was a Spec Home so there were no built-ins. As a result, we needed a media cabinet for the television and some bookcases to display my mom’s decorative box collection and my sister’s collection of blown colored glass. This set from Ballard Designs fit the bill perfectly. The back is open and airy with nice detail. The wood finish also adds a richness to the space. My mom needed a space for her computer, and this small writing desk fit the space perfectly. Finally, for finishing touches, we added a patterned rug, cornice boards in a mint leaf fabric, and great lamps for ambient lighting. These two rooms are stunning, vibrant and livable. Can’t wait to show you more in our next post! Enjoy!

Mid-Century Remodel on Tabor Hill This sensitively sited house was designed by Robert Coolidge, a renowned architect and grandson of President Calvin Coolidge. The house features a symmetrical gable roof and beautiful floor to ceiling glass facing due south, smartly oriented for passive solar heating. Situated on a steep lot, the house is primarily a single story that steps down to a family room. This lower level opens to a New England exterior. Our goals for this project were to maintain the integrity of the original design while creating more modern spaces. Our design team worked to envision what Coolidge himself might have designed if he'd had access to modern materials and fixtures. With the aim of creating a signature space that ties together the living, dining, and kitchen areas, we designed a variation on the 1950's "floating kitchen." In this inviting assembly, the kitchen is located away from exterior walls, which allows views from the floor-to-ceiling glass to remain uninterrupted by cabinetry. We updated rooms throughout the house; installing modern features that pay homage to the fine, sleek lines of the original design. Finally, we opened the family room to a terrace featuring a fire pit. Since a hallmark of our design is the diminishment of the hard line between interior and exterior, we were especially pleased for the opportunity to update this classic work.

This project was designed for a couple who lives in Florida but wanted to create a mountain getaway here in Virginia. This was a dramatic, full home renovation project which converted a 1970’s vinyl siding covered, quasi-modern home into a cozy yet open, mountain lodge retreat with breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge mountains. A large wrap around porch was added as well as a beautiful screened in porch for the enjoyment and full appreciation of the surrounding landscapes. While the overall interior layout remained relatively unchanged, new elements were introduced, such as a two-story stone fireplace, a residential elevator, a new master bedroom, updated kitchen and reclaimed wood paneling finishing the walls. While you catch a glimpse of the stunning vista while approaching the house, the full view is best appreciated from the new screened in porch or cedar hot tub which sets you right out into nature. Andrea Hubbel Photography

This is the After picture. As you can see, the existing handrails , wall mounts, and toe rail were refinished to blend with the homeowners new hardwood floor for a completely updated look.

Whitney Kamman Photography
Example of a mid-sized trendy open concept light wood floor and beige floor living room design with white walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

Tom Clary, Clarified Studios
Great room - mid-sized eclectic travertine floor great room idea in Los Angeles with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Contractor: Legacy CDM Inc. | Interior Designer: Kim Woods & Trish Bass | Photographer: Jola Photography
Mid-sized country slate floor and gray floor front door photo in Orange County with white walls and a medium wood front door

Doorless shower - mid-sized scandinavian master white tile and ceramic tile porcelain tile and gray floor doorless shower idea in Seattle with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops and white countertops

Size doesn’t matter when it comes to quality of design. For this petite Cape-style home along the Eagle River in Ipswich, Massachusetts, we focused on creating a warm, inviting space designed for family living. Radiating from the kitchen – the “heart” of the home – we created connections to all the other spaces in the home: eating areas, living areas, the mudroom and entries, even the upstairs. Details like the highly functional yet utterly charming under-the-stairs drawers and cupboards make this house extra special while the open floor plan gives it a big house feel without sacrificing coziness. In 2018, the home was updated with interior trim details, including new shaker paneling on the staircase and custom newel post, a TV built-in with shelves and drawers and beadboard back, and a half wall bookshelf with columns to replace the wall dividing the living room from dining room. The client also wanted a gas fireplace to enjoy during the winter, but didn't want to lose their beautiful marsh views. We designed the fireplace to go below the window, vented out the rear, with pebbled tile surround and benches flanking either side for storage.

This week’s post of the Updated Spec Home features the Guest Bedroom. A Guest Bedroom is a space where you can feel free to experiment with color and pattern. Check out this room that embraces both! For our Updated Spec Home, we reused furniture from a previous home which included a twin daybed, a vanity and stool, and my Nana’s wedding chest. However, we updated it by popping a blue accent color in the artwork, fabrics and accessories. Updated Spec Home Guest Bedroom - Robin's Nest Interiors This oversized landscape artwork was the inspiration for our new accent color. We used that blue to selected fabric for the daybed pillows, cushions for the chest and panels for the palladium window. We added blue ceramic flowers as additional wall decor. The wool rug has various shades of blues in it as well. Updated Spec Home Guest Bedroom - Robin's Nest Interiors The focal point for the Updated Spec Home Guest Bedroom is the oversized palladium window. The perfect application for this style of window is panels installed on medallions which highlight the curve. My sister was skeptical of the design because she was concerned the panel would look sloppy. Our workroom did a fabulous job of finishing the top for a very tailored look. I do so hate to tell my sister “I told you so.” This is a beautiful room that homeowner or guest would love to stay in. Enjoy!

Dedicated laundry room - large transitional u-shaped porcelain tile dedicated laundry room idea in Orange County with an undermount sink, white cabinets, quartz countertops, purple walls and a side-by-side washer/dryer

This nook was modified into a small entry way. The bold wallpaper gave this space loads of personality as well as a nice place to sit and put on your boots!

Robin Stancliff photo credits. This kitchen had a complete transformation, and now it is beautiful, bright, and much more accessible! To accomplish my goals for this kitchen, I had to completely demolish the walls surrounding the kitchen, only keeping the attractive exposed load bearing posts and the HVAC system in place. I also left the existing pony wall, which I turned into a breakfast area, to keep the electric wiring in place. A challenge that I encountered was that my client wanted to keep the original Saltillo tile that gives her home it’s Southwestern flair, while having an updated kitchen with a mid-century modern aesthetic. Ultimately, the vintage Saltillo tile adds a lot of character and interest to the new kitchen design. To keep things clean and minimal, all of the countertops are easy-to-clean white quartz. Since most of the cooking will be done on the new induction stove in the breakfast area, I added a uniquely textured three-dimensional backsplash to give a more decorative feel. Since my client wanted the kitchen to be disability compliant, we put the microwave underneath the counter for easy access and added ample storage space beneath the counters rather than up high. With a full view of the surrounding rooms, this new kitchen layout feels very open and accessible. The crisp white cabinets and wall color is accented by a grey island and updated lighting throughout. Now, my client has a kitchen that feels open and easy to maintain while being safe and useful for people with disabilities.