Although this Hinsdale home was only about a decade old, the floor plan and finishes already felt dated. The homeowners expressed that the layout wasn’t working—particularly the disconnect between spaces they used and those they didn’t. O’Brien Harris was originally brought in to renovate the kitchen, but it quickly became clear that a more holistic transformation was needed. The formal dining room, located at the front of the house, had long gone unused. Along with design Brynn Olson, O’Brien Harris reimagined the space as a high-gloss wine lounge that now opens onto the front terrace. The adjacent covered porch was enclosed and converted into a light-filled new dining room, making entertaining and everyday meals more inviting and accessible. O’Brien Harris also fully paneled the great room, adding built-in bookcases and reshaping existing arches to bring depth, warmth, and architectural continuity. The galley-style kitchen is now the heart of the home. Designed for a family that loves to cook and entertain, it features a central island and a secondary wall of storage with floor-to-ceiling cabinetry to house refrigeration, freezer drawers, and extensive dish storage, outfitted with a library ladder. The cabinet finishes are a blend of painted surfaces and light oak, offering warmth without heaviness. Icebox-style strap hinges and latches bring refined vintage character to the space while emphasizing functionality with beauty. In the primary bath, O’Brien Harris introduced painted cabinetry beneath a waterfall stone counter to coordinate with upholstered panels and full marble finishes. His-and-hers vanities and custom stone flooring complete the serene, tailored retreat. This was a deeply transformative project, not only in terms of layout, but in the way the spaces now flow and function together—with O’Brien Harris cabinetry anchoring it all in timeless craftsmanship.

After completing their primary bathroom, mudroom, and laundry room, this repeat client invited our team back to reimagine their kitchen, creating a space that better supports how their family lives and gathers. The layout was thoughtfully reworked to improve flow and function, centered around a larger island with seating for four. Designed as the heart of the home, the island creates a natural place for connection, whether for everyday meals or hosting. Custom elements bring both purpose and character to the space. A built-in display cabinet adds storage and soft ambient lighting, while custom booth seating with integrated drawers offers a practical, space-saving solution without sacrificing design. Layered lighting throughout enhances warmth and depth, complementing the balance of light and dark finishes. A mixed tile backsplash ties the entire space together, adding texture and a cohesive, elevated feel. Every detail was carefully considered, resulting in a kitchen that feels refined, functional, and seamlessly connected to the rest of the home.

A custom white oak double vanity designed as a furniture piece, featuring integrated linen storage, marble surfaces, arched mirrors, and brass lighting. Thoughtful millwork details and warm natural materials create a timeless primary bath that feels both elegant and highly functional.

Built by Schumacher Homes, America's Largest Custom Home Builder, this stunning Windsor Modern Farmhouse in Akron, Ohio, effortlessly balances classic architectural details with modern elements. Designed with an expansive open-concept layout, this floor plan maximizes spatial flow, offering abundant storage and generous proportions to entertain guests and cook simultaneously. The premium kitchen is fully equipped for culinary pursuits, showcasing a large walk-in pantry, extensive counter space, and an optional "messy kitchen" secondary prep zone to keep the main island pristine. To accommodate modern family needs, the massive first-floor flex room has been custom-tailored into an executive home office, featuring premium built-in cabinets and shelving to ensure staying organized while working from home is completely effortless. For added main-level luxury, a beautifully appointed first-floor guest suite provides ultimate comfort and seclusion for out-of-town visitors. The thoughtful design details continue as you head upstairs. The private primary owner’s retreat serves as a quiet upper-level sanctuary, showcasing a double-bowl vanity and independent, separate walk-in closets. This primary suite is conveniently located adjacent to the second-floor laundry room, which has been upgraded with a brilliant, custom-built dog washing station perfect for keeping four-legged family members clean. Overlooking the home's main level, the spacious upstairs loft has been beautifully converted into a versatile bonus room. This adaptive upper lounge area functions as a multi-use flex zone, serving as the perfect design canvas for a children's playroom, a home workout fitness room, or a dedicated media and game room.

The primary bedroom is more serene with a softer palette of pinks and lavender. A fluted upholstered wall paired with a wallpaper motif creates the headboard of a low platform bed frame. A vanity console table acts as both an end table and a functional space to apply makeup to start the day.

Located in Newport Beach’s coveted Port Streets, this family home was taken down to the studs and completely reimagined to create a layered, detail-rich forever home. We expanded key living spaces — including the kitchen and primary bathroom — to enhance both functionality and everyday luxury. Throughout the home, thoughtfully curated moments bring personality and warmth. From the beautifully wallpapered dining room to the checkerboard marble laundry room, each space was designed to feel timeless yet distinctive. Living spaces and bathrooms were individually styled using a cohesive palette of blues, greens, and warm browns — creating a sense of flow while allowing each room its own identity. The result is a thoughtfully tailored home that blends classic design with family-centered living in one of Newport Beach’s most beloved neighborhoods. This home was featured in the 2026 Corona del Mar Home Tour.

The home office was designed to make a bold statement, anchored by custom black cabinetry that brings sophistication, depth, and architectural presence to the space. Rich finishes, tailored storage, and thoughtfully layered textures create a refined atmosphere that feels both luxurious and functional. The dark cabinetry provides a dramatic contrast against the surrounding materials, while custom details and curated furnishings elevate the room beyond a traditional workspace. The result is a striking yet inviting office that embodies the home's Modern Organic Luxe aesthetic—balancing warmth, elegance, and timeless design.

Built by Schumacher Homes, America's Largest Custom Home Builder, this stunning Charleston II Modern Farmhouse in Whitestown, Indiana, effortlessly balances classic architectural details with modern charm. Based on one of our most popular plans, the Charleston II maximizes spatial volume by increasing ceiling heights throughout both levels. The main living space boasts an expansive, open-concept floor plan featuring 10-foot ceilings throughout, which soar to a dramatic 12 feet across the central great room, kitchen, and bright morning room. Designed for seamless entertaining and effortless organization, the chef-ready kitchen is equipped with abundant counter space, a large central island to gather around, and a giant walk-in pantry. This dual-purpose pantry features a highly functional "messy kitchen" secondary prep zone, brilliantly engineered to keep cooking clutter, meal prep, and mess completely out of sight from the main living area. The thoughtful layout continues with a perfectly placed pocket office, offering a quiet, dedicated space to organize daily tasks or work from home. This pocket office flows gracefully into the luxurious owner’s retreat, a private sanctuary showcasing an expansive primary bath and two large walk-in closets. To elevate the primary suite's design aesthetic, the bedroom features a show-stopping ceiling accented with custom stained wood beams—meticulously finished to match the flooring—with integrated hidden lighting to cast a warm, indirect glow. A smart split-bedroom floor plan ensures ultimate privacy for the entire family, keeping the additional secondary bedrooms situated on the opposite side of the residence so everyone can enjoy their own independent space.

Although this Hinsdale home was only about a decade old, the floor plan and finishes already felt dated. The homeowners expressed that the layout wasn’t working—particularly the disconnect between spaces they used and those they didn’t. O’Brien Harris was originally brought in to renovate the kitchen, but it quickly became clear that a more holistic transformation was needed. The formal dining room, located at the front of the house, had long gone unused. Along with design Brynn Olson, O’Brien Harris reimagined the space as a high-gloss wine lounge that now opens onto the front terrace. The adjacent covered porch was enclosed and converted into a light-filled new dining room, making entertaining and everyday meals more inviting and accessible. O’Brien Harris also fully paneled the great room, adding built-in bookcases and reshaping existing arches to bring depth, warmth, and architectural continuity. The galley-style kitchen is now the heart of the home. Designed for a family that loves to cook and entertain, it features a central island and a secondary wall of storage with floor-to-ceiling cabinetry to house refrigeration, freezer drawers, and extensive dish storage, outfitted with a library ladder. The cabinet finishes are a blend of painted surfaces and light oak, offering warmth without heaviness. Icebox-style strap hinges and latches bring refined vintage character to the space while emphasizing functionality with beauty. In the primary bath, O’Brien Harris introduced painted cabinetry beneath a waterfall stone counter to coordinate with upholstered panels and full marble finishes. His-and-hers vanities and custom stone flooring complete the serene, tailored retreat. This was a deeply transformative project, not only in terms of layout, but in the way the spaces now flow and function together—with O’Brien Harris cabinetry anchoring it all in timeless craftsmanship.

Built by Schumacher Homes, America's Largest Custom Home Builder, this stunning Windsor Modern Farmhouse in Akron, Ohio, effortlessly balances classic architectural details with modern elements. Designed with an expansive open-concept layout, this floor plan maximizes spatial flow, offering abundant storage and generous proportions to entertain guests and cook simultaneously. The premium kitchen is fully equipped for culinary pursuits, showcasing a large walk-in pantry, extensive counter space, and an optional "messy kitchen" secondary prep zone to keep the main island pristine. To accommodate modern family needs, the massive first-floor flex room has been custom-tailored into an executive home office, featuring premium built-in cabinets and shelving to ensure staying organized while working from home is completely effortless. For added main-level luxury, a beautifully appointed first-floor guest suite provides ultimate comfort and seclusion for out-of-town visitors. The thoughtful design details continue as you head upstairs. The private primary owner’s retreat serves as a quiet upper-level sanctuary, showcasing a double-bowl vanity and independent, separate walk-in closets. This primary suite is conveniently located adjacent to the second-floor laundry room, which has been upgraded with a brilliant, custom-built dog washing station perfect for keeping four-legged family members clean. Overlooking the home's main level, the spacious upstairs loft has been beautifully converted into a versatile bonus room. This adaptive upper lounge area functions as a multi-use flex zone, serving as the perfect design canvas for a children's playroom, a home workout fitness room, or a dedicated media and game room.

The guest bathroom’s single vanity features warm medium wood tones paired with a gray marble countertop, creating a balanced and inviting look. Flanked by layered lighting sconces, the vanity is complemented by custom cabinetry and a linen closet, combining style and functionality in the newly added space.

When this family came to us, they loved their home — but their bathrooms were failing them. The kids' bathroom had a non-functioning tub, a serious problem with two young children in the house. The primary bathroom was battling an active shower leak, a poor layout, and finishes well past their prime. Both spaces needed to be gutted. We got to work. The Primary Bath: Elevated, Effortless, Unmistakably Theirs Our clients arrived with a clear vision and a beautiful, refined sense of style. The layout was reconfigured from the ground up, and at the heart of the room sits a custom double vanity in a soft, sophisticated sage, topped with a stunning marble countertop and coordinating backsplash. Paired with elegant walnut-framed mirrors, a sculptural black and brass sconce, and wall-mounted polished nickel faucets, the vanity wall is a showpiece. Custom woven shades add warmth without sacrificing light. The walk-in shower delivers — floor-to-ceiling white subway tile, a mosaic marble floor, transom windows, and frameless glass. Schluter DITRA radiant floor heating adds the kind of quiet luxury you feel every morning. Both marble surfaces were professionally sealed with StoneGuard to protect the investment for the long haul. The Kids' Bath: Cheerful, Timeless, Built to Last The girls' bathroom is designed with just as much intention as any room in the house. A warm white oak vanity with marble countertop anchors the space, paired with an antique brass-framed mirror and raspberry custom sconce shades that bring personality without being precious. A botanical-print Roman shade layers in pattern and charm. The fully rebuilt tub-shower features wall-to-wall white subway tile, polished nickel fixtures, and a beautiful geometric floor tile in cream and warm taupe. A glass-front wall cabinet keeps things tidy, and tile wainscoting wraps the room for durability where it counts. Schluter DITRA radiant heat runs underfoot here too — because warm floors aren't just for adults. Two bathrooms. Completely distinct. Completely intentional. Built for a family that already loved their home — and loves it even more now.

This primary suite bathroom had a small shower and outdated finishes. A little rearranging went a long way, creating a shower for two, oversized spa tub, and a vanity with elbow room. These changes, along with the relocated linen closet, separate toilet room, and the heated floor and towel rack provide all the function and comfort you could ask for. The perfect tile ties the room together with a vibrant hue, and the custom vanity steals the show.

Spa-inspired primary bathroom remodel featuring a white shaker vanity with quartz countertops, a freestanding soaking tub, and a walk-in shower with frameless glass and pebble tile accents. This serene retreat blends timeless finishes with modern functionality.

This outdoor space featured impressive architectural bones, anchored by a fireplace that naturally demanded attention as the primary focal point. However, the area lacked the essential furnishings, warmth, and cohesion required to function as a truly comfortable gathering spot. Our design goal was to create a functional seating arrangement for six while establishing a welcoming, inviting atmosphere through layered textures and intentional accessories. A unique aspect of this project was the client’s firm preference for metal outdoor furniture, which they preferred to source locally. We embraced this as a collaborative opportunity; I provided expert guidance on furniture selection and precise sizing to ensure the layout flowed exactly as envisioned, blending their choices seamlessly into the design. To ground the seating arrangement and soften the surrounding hard surfaces, we selected an outdoor rug in warm brown and gold tones. This addition introduced immediate visual warmth and clearly defined the conversation area. Finally, we incorporated accent pillows in soft cream and rich indigo blue to provide a sophisticated contrast that intentionally echoes the home's surroundings. We are delighted to announce that this outdoor retreat was honored with 2nd Place in the People's Choice Awards for Outdoor Spaces. At Clark Team Designs, we believe in "Real-Life Luxury", creating homes that work as beautifully as they look. By managing the details with our signature methodical process, we ensured this transformation was an effortless and enjoyable experience for our clients.

Primary bathroom designed by Delphinium Design in Charlotte, North Carolina features porcelain herringbone tile floor, large walk-in alcove shower with glass door, subway tile design and shower bench.

Jeffrey Totaro
Home design - contemporary home design idea in Philadelphia

THE SETUP Client Background: Our clients, a couple who have transitioned into the empty nest phase, have cherished their home for over three decades without undergoing any significant renovations. With a newfound desire to adapt their living space to better suit their current lifestyle, they’ve embarked on a journey to reimagine their kitchen — the heart of their home. Their aspiration is to cultivate a serene, neutral-toned sanctuary on the first floor that seamlessly merges with their family room, ensuring a harmonious and inviting environment. Design Inspiration: The renovation is inspired by the couple’s penchant for soft, calming neutrals, using their cherished family room and the kitchen’s existing tile flooring as the cornerstone for the color scheme. This approach aims to foster a sense of warmth and tranquility throughout. Design Objectives: Harmonize the kitchen with the family room by adopting a soothing, neutral color scheme, ensuring a seamless flow across the first floor. Enhance kitchen functionality with thoughtfully designed cabinetry, providing a designated place for every item and maximizing storage efficiency. Cultivate an inviting and comfortable atmosphere that reflects the homeowners’ desire for a calm and relaxing space. Design Challenges: The homeowners wish to retain the existing kitchen tile flooring and integrate it into a refreshed, modern design. Accommodating a dining area spacious enough for family visits without compromising the kitchen’s open feel or functional layout. Despite liking the current placement of plumbing and appliances, the homeowners aspire for a more open floor plan to facilitate better movement and interaction. The need to amplify natural light in the kitchen, especially around the sink area, where existing lighting is insufficient. Preserving the half-wall between the kitchen and family room, a feature the homeowners want to keep, while ensuring it complements the new design. THE RENEWED SPACE Design Solutions: By choosing a neutral color palette that complements the existing tile, the design unifies the kitchen with the adjacent spaces. The tile’s grout was cleaned and restored, enhancing the floor’s appearance and integrating it seamlessly with the new kitchen aesthetic. The inclusion of a larger island with seating for two, alongside maintaining a substantial dining table, was achieved by optimizing the spatial layout. This allowed for a sociable yet functional kitchen, accommodating large family gatherings without feeling crowded. Minor adjustments to the kitchen’s layout maintained the preferred locations for plumbing and appliances while introducing an ‘open’ design concept. Strategic modifications, such as angling the pantry wall, improved the flow and accessibility within the space. Replacing the garden window with a broader, standard window significantly increased natural light, transforming the sink area into a bright, welcoming space with enhanced views of the outdoors. The decision to keep the half-wall was ingeniously leveraged to define the dining area while maintaining an open connection to the family room. This feature not only serves as a visual separator but also ties the two spaces together through the shared color scheme and design elements. The homeowners are thrilled with their newly remodeled kitchen, which has become a hub of warmth and hospitality. Hosting a wedding shower and a birthday party, they have shared their renewed space with friends and family, who have been equally enamored. This remodel has not only met their functional and aesthetic desires but has also enriched their home with a fresh sense of serenity and joy. The upstairs part of the home is shaping up nicely. Here’s their newly remodeled primary bathroom.

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Denver with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops, yellow backsplash, quartz backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and white countertops