This remodel transformed a dark and tiny kitchen into a bright and fresh space with lots of function and working surface. This client's space was inherently tiny, and budget didn't quite allow for expansion. So, we had to make the most of what we had! In working with the existing footprint, we were able to introduce taller cabinetry, integrate convenient storage features in base cabinets, and install a massive countertop that provides substantial hosting and prepping surface from three sides. With an exceptionally pretty backsplash and a fun pop of color in the bar stools, this kitchen brings home a fresh transitional look that carries simplicity and convenience throughout.

This classy final product was the result of many challenging weeks and lots of changes! What started out as a pretty large scope of work turned into a massive scope of work, and we ended up designing and reworking just about every part of every space in the house. On the main level, we upgraded an existing powder room, adding a pantry to the kitchen, installed a new gas fireplace to replace the old wood burning, painted everything with a new fresh palette, scraped off the popcorn ceilings, and implemented a new lighting scheme throughout. Upstairs, we did a full upgrade remodel to the guest bathroom, and gorgeous renovation to the master bathroom. We installed new ceiling fans in every bedroom, painted the entire level, hung a new stairwell chandelier, replaced closet doors, scraped popcorn ceilings, and added recessed lights. In the basement, we added a new stair railing, remodeled the basement bathroom, completed re-faced the existing fireplace and hearth, added a new gas insert, created a gorgeous back storage wall, and scraped popcorn ceilings. We also painted and added recessed lighting here, and replaced old wood doors with fresh white ones. This whole house carries a gorgeous, fresh, elegantly traditional aesthetic now that is cohesive and beautiful!

Very large wall unit 16 feet in total length. Painted in a white lacquer with custom lighting. Massive 10" cove molding demands attention. Glass shelves with wood fronts allows lighting to flood entire upper cabinet. Built out of hard maple for years of enjoyment. Custom wrapped fireplace to make the whole wall scream look at me. This was located in the sitting room directly in front of the foyer and was a stunning addition to the home when you walked though the front door.

This classy final product was the result of many challenging weeks and lots of changes! What started out as a pretty large scope of work turned into a massive scope of work, and we ended up designing and reworking just about every part of every space in the house. On the main level, we upgraded an existing powder room, adding a pantry to the kitchen, installed a new gas fireplace to replace the old wood burning, painted everything with a new fresh palette, scraped off the popcorn ceilings, and implemented a new lighting scheme throughout. Upstairs, we did a full upgrade remodel to the guest bathroom, and gorgeous renovation to the master bathroom. We installed new ceiling fans in every bedroom, painted the entire level, hung a new stairwell chandelier, replaced closet doors, scraped popcorn ceilings, and added recessed lights. In the basement, we added a new stair railing, remodeled the basement bathroom, completed re-faced the existing fireplace and hearth, added a new gas insert, created a gorgeous back storage wall, and scraped popcorn ceilings. We also painted and added recessed lighting here, and replaced old wood doors with fresh white ones. This whole house carries a gorgeous, fresh, elegantly traditional aesthetic now that is cohesive and beautiful!

This classy final product was the result of many challenging weeks and lots of changes! What started out as a pretty large scope of work turned into a massive scope of work, and we ended up designing and reworking just about every part of every space in the house. On the main level, we upgraded an existing powder room, adding a pantry to the kitchen, installed a new gas fireplace to replace the old wood burning, painted everything with a new fresh palette, scraped off the popcorn ceilings, and implemented a new lighting scheme throughout. Upstairs, we did a full upgrade remodel to the guest bathroom, and gorgeous renovation to the master bathroom. We installed new ceiling fans in every bedroom, painted the entire level, hung a new stairwell chandelier, replaced closet doors, scraped popcorn ceilings, and added recessed lights. In the basement, we added a new stair railing, remodeled the basement bathroom, completed re-faced the existing fireplace and hearth, added a new gas insert, created a gorgeous back storage wall, and scraped popcorn ceilings. We also painted and added recessed lighting here, and replaced old wood doors with fresh white ones. This whole house carries a gorgeous, fresh, elegantly traditional aesthetic now that is cohesive and beautiful!

Here at our Sharon DR kitchen remodel, the kitchen needed a massive update. We replaced all the cabinets with new white painted shaker cabinetry with features like the desired double stacked cutlery tray that our homeowner loves, a spice pull out next to the range, a revolving lazy susan, double ovens and more. Our client wanted the classic looks of the farmhouse style like a farmhouse sink, accent hood, bronze accents, and subway tile with an accent cement tile. In the formal dining area, we cut into a huge supporting wall, creating this opening for a buffet area. This allowed more storage and counter space for entertaining.

The title pretty much sums it all up ” The Most EPIC Backyard EVER” this project is EPIC EPIC EPIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It’s a backyard full of dreams all which have come true. Speechless……..? Yup The project consisted of the installation of porcelain patio with upper fire pit area and hot tub at far end of patio. Upper patio surface and overlay of existing concrete pad was done in Abbotsford porcelain tile (24″x24″) in ‘Coffee Cream’ and porcelain ‘wood look’ tile in ‘Beachwood’. The lower patio area is constructed of natural irregular flagstone with the lower retaining walls being natural limestone boulders. Upper walls, fire pit, and upper steps were constructed of masonry faced with Piedmont natural stone veneer and capped with Chateau Limestone. Steps at the lower side are solid treads natural stone treads that match the existing steps at water feature and Chateau Limestone steps. Diving rock is a large natural stone slab similar to steps and bridge at the waterfall. Another boulder retaining wall was constructed along the path. The path leads to another set of natural stone steps leading to a circular natural flagstone patio with natural stone fire pit as well. Landscape lighting around new pool area featuring the FX luxor system. Included in the lighting system was 34 (under cap) step and wall lights (Zoning, Dimming, and Color Changing), 14 path lights (Zoning and Dimming) on paths as well as natural stone and solid steps and up lights on trees. FX Luxor system to connect with existing lighting system. This is an additional phase to a project that originally featured a large ecosystem pond with wetland filtration, stone steppers and bubbling urns throughout. The pond has a zero edge waterfall which enters a short stream before dumping into a massive beautiful waterfall. Natural stone steps lead upwards with a large natural stone bridge straddling the stream up to the pond and deck area. Truly EPIC!

This kitchen isn’t just a pretty face—it’s built to perform! Think maxed-out storage, a massive island that does it all, bold finishes, and plenty of room to breathe. Want your kitchen to do more? Here are ways to get the most out of your space: Take cabinets all the way up—more storage, less clutter. Use your island for seating, prep, and storage. Mix light and dark finishes for a modern, balanced look. We also added open shelving. Open shelving isn't just about storage—it’s about creating a stunning focal point that breathes life into your kitchen! Here, we designed custom floating shelves that seamlessly integrate with the surrounding space, thanks to a striking backsplash tile that continues from the kitchen walls. The result? A cohesive, elevated aesthetic that balances both beauty and practicality. Maximize your open shelving with these design tips: Curate with intention – Display a mix of functional and decorative pieces to create visual interest: cookbooks, plateware, and art. Stick to a color palette – Keep it cohesive by coordinating dishware, frames, and accessories. Layer textures – Combine ceramics, glass, and natural elements like wood or greenery for added depth. Prioritize accessibility – Keep everyday essentials within reach while showcasing special pieces up top.

This remodel transformed a dark and tiny kitchen into a bright and fresh space with lots of function and working surface. This client's space was inherently tiny, and budget didn't quite allow for expansion. So, we had to make the most of what we had! In working with the existing footprint, we were able to introduce taller cabinetry, integrate convenient storage features in base cabinets, and install a massive countertop that provides substantial hosting and prepping surface from three sides. With an exceptionally pretty backsplash and a fun pop of color in the bar stools, this kitchen brings home a fresh transitional look that carries simplicity and convenience throughout.

KITCHEN RENOVATION  CURRENT CRAFTSMAN This client started off just being curious about our services - what we could do, and if we could even help her update her kitchen. She and her husband with their two teenage kids have lived in their home for several years without updating anything since the house was originally built. They didn’t quite have a budget in mind yet. They didn’t know their style, or even if they had one. Their timeline was simple, “as fast as you can so we’re not without a kitchen for very long” (usually what we hear for kitchen updates). After a very productive consultation: determining the scope of work and zeroing in on a budget, I was very excited to update this underwhelming space to something that is modern but timeless, something that is theirs. And, it was easy to see what type of design style they gravitated toward looking at the pieces they already own: Craftsman/Prairie Style. I left the meeting so excited to weave in yet another genre of design to my CDG portfolio! We circled in our contractor to discuss the changes they were looking to make and the scope of work that would be theirs. Then I was off to get designing: // Because the kitchen’s footprint and the defined breakfast space delineated by the bay, we kept the perimeter cabinetry as it was originally laid out. We updated these cabinets to a beautiful soft Alabaster White with a Barn Wood Glaze to highlight the simplicity of the shaker style doors. We added transom cabinets above the uppers, with only the back wall having seeded glass inserts to highlight some of their collectables. // The original shaped island was counter-productive (See what I did there?) in functionality and design. We squared this off to reduce some of the angles and gain more storage. We highlighted the new island with a contrasting oak cabinet in a dark finish, to pay our respects to the craftsman style, and topped with a concrete-like countertop as a nod to the Prairie Style, allowing the homeowners to gain two extra seats and a massive -uninterrupted- work surface. // The small section of cabinetry between the garage entry and fridge now is the perfect dump-station for mail, electronics, whatever is in their hands when they come into the house; and completely hidden by the refrigerator. // The disconnected cabinetry in the breakfast area makes for a great place to have a working office. Accessible from the kitchen or the adjacent great room, this is the perfect place for the kids to do their homework while mom and dad are putting together dinner. The base cabinets are built out for office-type storage: paper and pencil drawers, filing systems, and cord management. Additionally, the long counter provides a ton of worksurface to spread out. // The largest transformation was the pantry. We raised the height of the doorway and added huge custom designed bypass sliding barndoors. Finished with a dark stain to compliment the island and cut to inset 4 stained glass windows, typical of this style of design, and driving home the concept for the whole space. // They were desperate to replace their flooring with something extremely durable to flow throughout the kitchen and the whole main level. This beautiful new flooring is actually a textured LVT(!) Which allowed them to save on overall cost and extend the life of their new flooring purchase. // They loved their copper table, so we kept it and added new simple, mid-century modern chairs around it and a shiny new craftsman-style chandelier above. We added bright barstools in a burnt orange-red accent, and a bright woven rug to tie it all together. // Because the kitchen renovation was shaping up to be pretty spectacular, they decided they needed to now replace their ‘now-these-look-a-little-too-old’ upholstered seating in the neighboring great room with 2 new sofas. We found the perfect sage-y-grey fabric which we covered on sofa frames that have and exposed oak-wood base, which we finished in a warm weathered grey. // As every designer knows, a room isn’t finished until there’s something on the windows. Now that the new flooring was installed and every other room on the main level ‘seemed’ to be updated, we needed to update the window treatments in the dining, and great rooms to reflect their new design concept. I hope you find the ‘after’ photos refreshing (as refreshing as it was for me to work on something that’s not a “Farm House” style that’s saturating the industry right now!) This was such a fun project and a great collaboration with our contractor.

The title pretty much sums it all up ” The Most EPIC Backyard EVER” this project is EPIC EPIC EPIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It’s a backyard full of dreams all which have come true. Speechless……..? Yup The project consisted of the installation of porcelain patio with upper fire pit area and hot tub at far end of patio. Upper patio surface and overlay of existing concrete pad was done in Abbotsford porcelain tile (24″x24″) in ‘Coffee Cream’ and porcelain ‘wood look’ tile in ‘Beachwood’. The lower patio area is constructed of natural irregular flagstone with the lower retaining walls being natural limestone boulders. Upper walls, fire pit, and upper steps were constructed of masonry faced with Piedmont natural stone veneer and capped with Chateau Limestone. Steps at the lower side are solid treads natural stone treads that match the existing steps at water feature and Chateau Limestone steps. Diving rock is a large natural stone slab similar to steps and bridge at the waterfall. Another boulder retaining wall was constructed along the path. The path leads to another set of natural stone steps leading to a circular natural flagstone patio with natural stone fire pit as well. Landscape lighting around new pool area featuring the FX luxor system. Included in the lighting system was 34 (under cap) step and wall lights (Zoning, Dimming, and Color Changing), 14 path lights (Zoning and Dimming) on paths as well as natural stone and solid steps and up lights on trees. FX Luxor system to connect with existing lighting system. This is an additional phase to a project that originally featured a large ecosystem pond with wetland filtration, stone steppers and bubbling urns throughout. The pond has a zero edge waterfall which enters a short stream before dumping into a massive beautiful waterfall. Natural stone steps lead upwards with a large natural stone bridge straddling the stream up to the pond and deck area. Truly EPIC!

The home’s existing master bathroom was very compartmentalized (the pretty window that you can now see over the tub was formerly tucked away in the closet!), and had a lot of oddly angled walls. We created a completely new layout, squaring off the walls in the bathroom and the wall it shared with the master bedroom, adding a double-door entry to the bathroom from the bedroom and eliminating the (somewhat strange) built-in desk in the bedroom. Moving the locations of the closet and the commode closet to the front of the bathroom made room for a massive shower and allows the light from the window that had been in the former closet to brighten the space. It also made room for the bathroom’s new focal point: the fabulous freestanding soaking tub framed by deep niche shelving. The new double-door entry shower features a linear drain, bench seating, three showerheads (two handheld and one overhead), and floor-to-ceiling tile. A floating double vanity with bookend storage towers in contrasting wood anchors the opposite wall and offers abundant storage (including two built-in hampers in the towers). Champagne bronze fixtures and honey bronze hardware complete the look of this luxurious retreat.

This classy final product was the result of many challenging weeks and lots of changes! What started out as a pretty large scope of work turned into a massive scope of work, and we ended up designing and reworking just about every part of every space in the house. On the main level, we upgraded an existing powder room, adding a pantry to the kitchen, installed a new gas fireplace to replace the old wood burning, painted everything with a new fresh palette, scraped off the popcorn ceilings, and implemented a new lighting scheme throughout. Upstairs, we did a full upgrade remodel to the guest bathroom, and gorgeous renovation to the master bathroom. We installed new ceiling fans in every bedroom, painted the entire level, hung a new stairwell chandelier, replaced closet doors, scraped popcorn ceilings, and added recessed lights. In the basement, we added a new stair railing, remodeled the basement bathroom, completed re-faced the existing fireplace and hearth, added a new gas insert, created a gorgeous back storage wall, and scraped popcorn ceilings. We also painted and added recessed lighting here, and replaced old wood doors with fresh white ones. This whole house carries a gorgeous, fresh, elegantly traditional aesthetic now that is cohesive and beautiful!

bold masses of nepeta
Design ideas for a traditional landscaping in Chicago.

Sophisticated and elegant the Atlas Hills plan offers an expansive and open home unlike no other. The staple of this home is undoubtedly its basement level with two family rooms, game rooms, a massive theater, and exercise room. The top levels offer just as much. With its stylish kitchen and great room as well as its huge walk in pantry, parties here would be unforgettable. The kids will love the top level loft, and the overlook into the kitchen will keep the whole family connected. Take a walk onto the patio and enjoy the sunset around this home's fire pit or laugh with friends and family under the covered deck. No matter where you are in this house there will surely be something to explore.

Yoko Oda Interior Design, LLC, Exterior Color & Photography | www.yokointeriordesign.com Pay attention to architectural details! The window shutters, molding around windows and doors, trims, pillars, and front door add interest to the exterior style. CA water-efficient front garden will thrive over time as well as improve aesthetics. This was once a brick accented beige house with a massive lawn. This new curb appeal will go a long way. House color with navy shutters and crisp white trims looks pretty with modern cherry front door.

KITCHEN RENOVATION  CURRENT CRAFTSMAN This client started off just being curious about our services - what we could do, and if we could even help her update her kitchen. She and her husband with their two teenage kids have lived in their home for several years without updating anything since the house was originally built. They didn’t quite have a budget in mind yet. They didn’t know their style, or even if they had one. Their timeline was simple, “as fast as you can so we’re not without a kitchen for very long” (usually what we hear for kitchen updates). After a very productive consultation: determining the scope of work and zeroing in on a budget, I was very excited to update this underwhelming space to something that is modern but timeless, something that is theirs. And, it was easy to see what type of design style they gravitated toward looking at the pieces they already own: Craftsman/Prairie Style. I left the meeting so excited to weave in yet another genre of design to my CDG portfolio! We circled in our contractor to discuss the changes they were looking to make and the scope of work that would be theirs. Then I was off to get designing: // Because the kitchen’s footprint and the defined breakfast space delineated by the bay, we kept the perimeter cabinetry as it was originally laid out. We updated these cabinets to a beautiful soft Alabaster White with a Barn Wood Glaze to highlight the simplicity of the shaker style doors. We added transom cabinets above the uppers, with only the back wall having seeded glass inserts to highlight some of their collectables. // The original shaped island was counter-productive (See what I did there?) in functionality and design. We squared this off to reduce some of the angles and gain more storage. We highlighted the new island with a contrasting oak cabinet in a dark finish, to pay our respects to the craftsman style, and topped with a concrete-like countertop as a nod to the Prairie Style, allowing the homeowners to gain two extra seats and a massive -uninterrupted- work surface. // The small section of cabinetry between the garage entry and fridge now is the perfect dump-station for mail, electronics, whatever is in their hands when they come into the house; and completely hidden by the refrigerator. // The disconnected cabinetry in the breakfast area makes for a great place to have a working office. Accessible from the kitchen or the adjacent great room, this is the perfect place for the kids to do their homework while mom and dad are putting together dinner. The base cabinets are built out for office-type storage: paper and pencil drawers, filing systems, and cord management. Additionally, the long counter provides a ton of worksurface to spread out. // The largest transformation was the pantry. We raised the height of the doorway and added huge custom designed bypass sliding barndoors. Finished with a dark stain to compliment the island and cut to inset 4 stained glass windows, typical of this style of design, and driving home the concept for the whole space. // They were desperate to replace their flooring with something extremely durable to flow throughout the kitchen and the whole main level. This beautiful new flooring is actually a textured LVT(!) Which allowed them to save on overall cost and extend the life of their new flooring purchase. // They loved their copper table, so we kept it and added new simple, mid-century modern chairs around it and a shiny new craftsman-style chandelier above. We added bright barstools in a burnt orange-red accent, and a bright woven rug to tie it all together. // Because the kitchen renovation was shaping up to be pretty spectacular, they decided they needed to now replace their ‘now-these-look-a-little-too-old’ upholstered seating in the neighboring great room with 2 new sofas. We found the perfect sage-y-grey fabric which we covered on sofa frames that have and exposed oak-wood base, which we finished in a warm weathered grey. // As every designer knows, a room isn’t finished until there’s something on the windows. Now that the new flooring was installed and every other room on the main level ‘seemed’ to be updated, we needed to update the window treatments in the dining, and great rooms to reflect their new design concept. I hope you find the ‘after’ photos refreshing (as refreshing as it was for me to work on something that’s not a “Farm House” style that’s saturating the industry right now!) This was such a fun project and a great collaboration with our contractor.

This classy final product was the result of many challenging weeks and lots of changes! What started out as a pretty large scope of work turned into a massive scope of work, and we ended up designing and reworking just about every part of every space in the house. On the main level, we upgraded an existing powder room, adding a pantry to the kitchen, installed a new gas fireplace to replace the old wood burning, painted everything with a new fresh palette, scraped off the popcorn ceilings, and implemented a new lighting scheme throughout. Upstairs, we did a full upgrade remodel to the guest bathroom, and gorgeous renovation to the master bathroom. We installed new ceiling fans in every bedroom, painted the entire level, hung a new stairwell chandelier, replaced closet doors, scraped popcorn ceilings, and added recessed lights. In the basement, we added a new stair railing, remodeled the basement bathroom, completed re-faced the existing fireplace and hearth, added a new gas insert, created a gorgeous back storage wall, and scraped popcorn ceilings. We also painted and added recessed lighting here, and replaced old wood doors with fresh white ones. This whole house carries a gorgeous, fresh, elegantly traditional aesthetic now that is cohesive and beautiful!

KITCHEN RENOVATION  CURRENT CRAFTSMAN This client started off just being curious about our services - what we could do, and if we could even help her update her kitchen. She and her husband with their two teenage kids have lived in their home for several years without updating anything since the house was originally built. They didn’t quite have a budget in mind yet. They didn’t know their style, or even if they had one. Their timeline was simple, “as fast as you can so we’re not without a kitchen for very long” (usually what we hear for kitchen updates). After a very productive consultation: determining the scope of work and zeroing in on a budget, I was very excited to update this underwhelming space to something that is modern but timeless, something that is theirs. And, it was easy to see what type of design style they gravitated toward looking at the pieces they already own: Craftsman/Prairie Style. I left the meeting so excited to weave in yet another genre of design to my CDG portfolio! We circled in our contractor to discuss the changes they were looking to make and the scope of work that would be theirs. Then I was off to get designing: // Because the kitchen’s footprint and the defined breakfast space delineated by the bay, we kept the perimeter cabinetry as it was originally laid out. We updated these cabinets to a beautiful soft Alabaster White with a Barn Wood Glaze to highlight the simplicity of the shaker style doors. We added transom cabinets above the uppers, with only the back wall having seeded glass inserts to highlight some of their collectables. // The original shaped island was counter-productive (See what I did there?) in functionality and design. We squared this off to reduce some of the angles and gain more storage. We highlighted the new island with a contrasting oak cabinet in a dark finish, to pay our respects to the craftsman style, and topped with a concrete-like countertop as a nod to the Prairie Style, allowing the homeowners to gain two extra seats and a massive -uninterrupted- work surface. // The small section of cabinetry between the garage entry and fridge now is the perfect dump-station for mail, electronics, whatever is in their hands when they come into the house; and completely hidden by the refrigerator. // The disconnected cabinetry in the breakfast area makes for a great place to have a working office. Accessible from the kitchen or the adjacent great room, this is the perfect place for the kids to do their homework while mom and dad are putting together dinner. The base cabinets are built out for office-type storage: paper and pencil drawers, filing systems, and cord management. Additionally, the long counter provides a ton of worksurface to spread out. // The largest transformation was the pantry. We raised the height of the doorway and added huge custom designed bypass sliding barndoors. Finished with a dark stain to compliment the island and cut to inset 4 stained glass windows, typical of this style of design, and driving home the concept for the whole space. // They were desperate to replace their flooring with something extremely durable to flow throughout the kitchen and the whole main level. This beautiful new flooring is actually a textured LVT(!) Which allowed them to save on overall cost and extend the life of their new flooring purchase. // They loved their copper table, so we kept it and added new simple, mid-century modern chairs around it and a shiny new craftsman-style chandelier above. We added bright barstools in a burnt orange-red accent, and a bright woven rug to tie it all together. // Because the kitchen renovation was shaping up to be pretty spectacular, they decided they needed to now replace their ‘now-these-look-a-little-too-old’ upholstered seating in the neighboring great room with 2 new sofas. We found the perfect sage-y-grey fabric which we covered on sofa frames that have and exposed oak-wood base, which we finished in a warm weathered grey. // As every designer knows, a room isn’t finished until there’s something on the windows. Now that the new flooring was installed and every other room on the main level ‘seemed’ to be updated, we needed to update the window treatments in the dining, and great rooms to reflect their new design concept. I hope you find the ‘after’ photos refreshing (as refreshing as it was for me to work on something that’s not a “Farm House” style that’s saturating the industry right now!) This was such a fun project and a great collaboration with our contractor.