Search results for "Proper functioning" in Home Design Ideas

The classics never go out of style, as is the case with this custom new build that was interior designed from the blueprint stages with enduring longevity in mind. An eye for scale is key with these expansive spaces calling for proper proportions, intentional details, liveable luxe materials and a melding of functional design with timeless aesthetics. The result is cozy, welcoming and balanced grandeur. | Photography Joshua Caldwell

Graybox is a 950 sq. ft. studio environment designed and built by NILES to redefine what a home-based creative space can be. The client wanted a light-filled, timeless studio that balanced aesthetic warmth with the precision and durability of a commercial facility. Our team handled the full scope—from architectural acoustics and mechanical planning to framing, treatments, electrical distribution, and final integration.
The Control Room is a compact, golden-ratio mix suite engineered for accuracy, featuring a finely tuned treatment plan and a Barefoot monitor system. The Live Room gains surprising scale from its 16’ ceiling, delivering sonic depth and natural ambience ideal for full-band tracking, ensemble sessions, or detailed acoustic work. Expansive glass and natural light shape the visual character of the studio while maintaining controlled isolation and proper acoustic performance.
This space was built to function as a dual-purpose creative hub for music recording and video production. The open layout supports multi-camera film shoots, quick-turn content capture, and flexible session flow. Engineers, producers, and artists can walk in, sit down, and work immediately thanks to intuitive wiring paths, plug-and-play audio infrastructure, and a layout designed for seamless movement between rooms.
Graybox has become a go-to destination for both recording and visual content, hosting sessions and video work for Capitol Records, Meinl Cymbals, The Dove Awards, Gibson, and many others. The result is a studio that feels as inspiring as it sounds—purpose-built, timeless, and engineered for long-term creative use.

This Solana Beach bathroom was completely transformed from an outdated tub and shower into a modern, functional walk-in shower designed for everyday comfort and lasting durability.
The project began with a full demolition, followed by plumbing updates, electrical improvements, waterproofing, cement board installation, and a custom mortar shower pan. Every step was completed with a focus on long-term performance before the finish materials were installed.
The new shower features large-format Calacatta-look porcelain tile, a custom recessed niche with matte black trim, matte black plumbing fixtures, frameless sliding glass doors, and a hexagon porcelain mosaic shower floor. Outside the shower, we installed a new double vanity with a quartz countertop, undermount sinks, updated mirrors, modern lighting, luxury vinyl plank flooring, fresh paint, and new accessories to complete the space.
To help the homeowner visualize the project before construction, we first created 3D renderings and then brought that vision to life through careful planning and craftsmanship.
At MA Properties Construction, we believe beautiful bathrooms begin with proper preparation. That's why every remodel is built with quality waterproofing, attention to detail, and materials selected for long-term performance.
If you're considering a bathroom remodel in Solana Beach, Del Mar, Encinitas, or anywhere in North County San Diego, we'd be happy to help you transform your space.
Find the right local pro for your project

New windows, floors, powder room and basement:
We gave the home new windows, new hardwood floors, and paint throughout. We created a new main floor powder room and a new finished basement containing a living area, three-piece bathroom and new bedroom with egress (tilt and turn) windows.
Flipped around and redesigned kitchen:
We created a new kitchen. The footprint of the kitchen stayed the same, but we flipped it around and redesigned it. Now it has a walk-in pantry area and more floorspace going in and out, which optimized the flow of traffic. We replaced the old non-functioning mudroom with a new one.
Disappearing balcony and drafty door:
To create a new space using a balcony in a bedroom, we extended the second storey out to line up with the first floor, and this increased the square footage. In that room we turned a drafty door into a window.
We reinstated the rear deck, using as many of the original pieces as we could:
There was a leaking roof problem because the original roof pitches were causing ice damming. We designed a new roof to prevent that in the future.
New windows, stucco, and the challenge of asbestos:
Another challenge was installing new windows in the original stucco finish, which contained asbestos. We waterproofed those properly, future proofing them from leaks.
We solved the situation by installing a 5-inch trim around the perimeter of the window. Specialists cut the asbestos back (we had to set up a containment perimeter around each window), and then we placed windows that are five inches wider than the window frames. We used special flashing tapes and sealed them all up behind the stucco.

Our Clients, the proud owners of a landmark 1860’s era Italianate home, desired to greatly improve their daily ingress and egress experience. With a growing young family, the lack of a proper entry area and attached garage was something they wanted to address. They also needed a guest suite to accommodate frequent out-of-town guests and visitors. But in the homeowner’s own words, “He didn’t want to be known as the guy who ‘screwed up’ this beautiful old home”. Our design challenge was to provide the needed space of a significant addition, but do so in a manner that would respect the historic home. Our design solution lay in providing a “hyphen”: a multi-functional daily entry breezeway connector linking the main house with a new garage and in-law suite above.

The client had a finished basement space that was not functioning for the entire family. He spent a lot of time in his gym, which was not large enough to accommodate all his equipment and did not offer adequate space for aerobic activities. To appeal to the client's entertaining habits, a bar, gaming area, and proper theater screen needed to be added. There were some ceiling and lolly column restraints that would play a significant role in the layout of our new design, but the Gramophone Team was able to create a space in which every detail appeared to be there from the beginning. Rustic wood columns and rafters, weathered brick, and an exposed metal support beam all add to this design effect becoming real.
Maryland Photography Inc.

If you are planning a kitchen renovation in Irvine, CA, working with an experienced remodeling contractor helps ensure that every detail is handled properly—from layout planning and material selection to construction, installation, and final finishing touches. The result is a beautiful, functional kitchen that feels custom-built for your lifestyle and adds lasting value to your Orange County home.

A Fresh Traditional Kitchen
AS SEEN ON: SEASON 3, EPISODE 3 OF MASTERS OF FLIP
Soft pastels get a fresh, stylish update when paired with sparkling chandeliers and modern accents to create a space that shows why the party always ends up in the kitchen.
In this one-wall style kitchen, we paired our classic Colorado doors with Driftwood enamel and traditional glass-front upper cabinets against a textured white backsplash. The centrepiece of the space is the large eat-at island in Sugar White. Featuring a charming farm sink and capable of comfortably seating four, it provides plenty of space to prep or mingle.
Clever built-in additions, like an under-counter microwave unit, means that style is never sacrificed for function in this Kitchens by Foremost design!
This pantry wall was custom designed for the space it’s in, making sure that every bit of space is properly utilized. Using the same Colorado doors in Sugar White enamel as in the main kitchen ensures that this addition fits seamlessly into the space. The top hinged cabinet, custom wine rack, and stem glass holder also allows this pantry pull double duty as a impromptu bar.

This beautiful Carlsbad kitchen remodel strikes a perfect balance of being light and bright while feeling warm and inviting with the mix of wood tones. While large in size, the original kitchen lacked functionality, so the design of the space had to address several key concerns for the homeowners who are both avid home chefs.
One of the key focal points was designing an island that would provide ample prep space while also serving as a gathering spot for the family. Additionally, utilizing a different wood finish for the island - in this case walnut - enhanced the custom look and feel of the space. Drawers were selected for storage as opposed to traditional cabinets in the island, while elegant brass pulls complete the look.
For the cabinetry around the perimeter of the kitchen, a creamy white finish was selected with glass front upper cabinets illuminated along the top - the perfect spot for displaying family mementos.
Special attention was paid to properly space planning the kitchen to ensure that there was ample space for the refrigerator, pantry door, and oven to open comfortably - an issue that had plagued the original design.
Top of the line appliances from SubZero and Wolf were selected to complete the client’s wish for a kitchen with all of the culinary bells and whistles.

Located in Chicago, Illinois, this contemporary styled custom wine cellar is a great looking, yet functional addition to the home. Wine rooms like this that store wine properly also create an impressive back lit display and are emerging as the “must have” home feature for a high end home owner. The client’s goal was to be able to store somewhere around 800 bottles of wine in a modern looking, but limited space. In designing this wine cellar, the walls were created in imitation of a wood finish, horizontal, and clean looking display racks.

Once CRS was brought in to finish the basement, the previous work was corrected and the rest of the space followed suit.
The majority of the basement was designed to have an open concept with a small living room and a large office space. A small utility room was created with additional storage and a small fridge, separated from the rest of the basement by a sliding barn door. Additional power outlets and new pot lights in the ceiling required a pony box to be installed, providing enough power for the new additions.
New stairs and proper support for the basement landing made the basement safe for everyone to enjoy and doors were added to hide the workspaces from the main living area. The laundry room had it’s original concrete sink demolished and removed to allow for a sleek modern replacement with storage. The layout of the laundry machines was also altered to create a better flow and functionality to the room.
The homeowners requested the window boxes remain unfinished throughout the basement to allow more flexibility in the future when the windows are replaced.

When Your Bathrooms Finally Work for You
These clients loved their home but found their bathrooms frustrating and impractical. The Primary Ensuite was cramped, the vanity offered little storage, and the walk-in closet went mostly unused.
The Shared Bathroom had peeling finishes, rust, and mold, leaving them concerned and embarrassed when guests visited.
Our renovation transformed both spaces into functional and beautiful bathrooms.
The Primary Ensuite now features a spacious walk-in steam shower, a double vanity with plenty of storage, and improved layout for better flow.
The Shared Bathroom was fully updated with new finishes, fixtures, and proper ventilation.
Large-format tiles, Brushed Nickel plumbing fixtures, Matte Black accents, and custom glass details create a cohesive, modern look. Even unexpected challenges, such as a hidden plumbing stack, were solved without compromising the design vision.
The result is a home that finally feels complete, with bathrooms that are calm, practical, and enjoyable to use every day.
Sosna Home Renovations
7250 Keele Street, Unit 372
Vaughan, ON L4K 1Z8
416-888-7366
Email: contact@sosna.ca
Website: www.sosna.ca

This 1,500 sq. ft. rambler in Palo Alto needed some modern functional updates to accommodate the family’s changing needs. A smart homework station was added to one corner of the kitchen, which included built-in shelves, plugs-a-plenty, a desk area with ample workspace and new windows to let in much needed natural light. The same color and style of cabinetry were used to ensure a seamless flow from the kitchen to the study station.
A bedroom was added using gorgeous floor to ceiling built-ins for clothes, linens and other personal items. Standout features in this home include a stunning 18 x 18 Travertine and Marble tile floor laid out in a checkerboard pattern and a beautiful metal rod and ball stair case finished in a dark antique color.
To accommodate space for the homeowners’ piano, we took advantage of a 20’ foot ceiling in the entryway. We built a new second floor platform that created additional square footage within the existing footprint and carved out a special niche for the family’s prized musical instrument. This properly designed space was given the right setting to sound and appear sensational—the melodies heard throughout the home.
By modifying the footprint on the second floor, we were suddenly faced with the challenge of how to repurpose the existing rod and ball stair railing. To accommodate the additional square footage, we needed more railing than was there; and the material was no longer available to order. As a creative solution, we designed a railing system that reused all but twelve inches of the old railing and installed wide posts to make up for the shortfall in railing materials. The result was spectacular!

Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Structural Remodeling
Franklin County's Heavy Timber Specialists | Best of Houzz 2020!

Mom and kids both love baking, the kitchen was outdated and didn’t have proper venting, which made this passion a challenge. We needed to create a bright, updated, and functional space for the family. The Dining Room wasn’t being used because they would tend to gather at the Dinette table for all meals. The clients wanted to figure out a way to force themselves to want to use the Dining Room area more. They weren’t afraid to add bold colors, so we played with cabinet colors and added a vibrant piece of artwork for a pop of color.

When Your Bathrooms Finally Work for You
These clients loved their home but found their bathrooms frustrating and impractical. The Primary Ensuite was cramped, the vanity offered little storage, and the walk-in closet went mostly unused.
The Shared Bathroom had peeling finishes, rust, and mold, leaving them concerned and embarrassed when guests visited.
Our renovation transformed both spaces into functional and beautiful bathrooms.
The Primary Ensuite now features a spacious walk-in steam shower, a double vanity with plenty of storage, and improved layout for better flow.
The Shared Bathroom was fully updated with new finishes, fixtures, and proper ventilation.
Large-format tiles, Brushed Nickel plumbing fixtures, Matte Black accents, and custom glass details create a cohesive, modern look. Even unexpected challenges, such as a hidden plumbing stack, were solved without compromising the design vision.
The result is a home that finally feels complete, with bathrooms that are calm, practical, and enjoyable to use every day.
Sosna Home Renovations
7250 Keele Street, Unit 372
Vaughan, ON L4K 1Z8
416-888-7366
Email: contact@sosna.ca
Website: www.sosna.ca

They provide a clear way of containing elements both functional and ornamental. Plus, they help prevent the wanderings of both pets and young children. Properly designed and constructed fences will add beauty and value to your property.

Anita Clark Design was contacted by a mutual friend and real estate broker that her client was moving to a new location in the Boston area and needed assistance to furnish this property. The homeowner had many of her own things she wanted to incorporate into the initial design such as a Rosewood dining table and sideboard, dining chairs and a dark chocolate brown suede sofa and chair that were overly sized and not scaled for the new space.
These existing furniture pieces were not the best solutions for her new space which had weird angles and curves but were important to the client so Anita Clark Design took the we can do approach. After a few design sessions, showing her floor coverings, window treatments, etc. that would work with her existing pieces, she succumbed to the fact that it was probably not a cost effective solution to try to work with what she had in a space that was difficult to furnish from the start. Simultaneously, she also concluded with the recommendation that in stock and standard furnishings would not work either. Designed to fit each unique space were a custom sectional and ottomans that would not only fit the space properly but would be aesthetically correct and function perfectly along with custom shaped area rugs, window treatments and accessories to complete each room.

The Timothy Hyde House, c. 1729, dear to the homeowners for its historic details, but long-lacking the family oriented spaces and living areas essential for today’s extended family lifestyle. Unwilling to compromise an ounce of character, this growing family longed for more practical amenities like a visitor’s private retreat with bedroom, living room and bath, garage parking, a proper master bedroom layout with full bath and walk-in closet, in addition to a new kitchen that would function as the heart of the home. Ultimately the total square footage was doubled and the entire flow of the home was reworked keeping all of the character details intact. The kitchen is the hub, serving up its center island topped off with reclaimed white oak once belonging to a barn built in the 1880’s; jet mist leather granite tops off the remainder of the kitchen. Custom cable lighting was the ingenious solution for the complicated preservation of the original exposed beams and posts in the kitchen. The barn door was custom crafted from original timbers. Many cups of coffee will be enjoyed at the cozy, sun-filled dining nook overlooking the family room and new adjacent deck. The rear, separate entry mudroom with step-up laundry was a long awaited luxury over the previous basement facilities. Moving upstairs, a centrally located bathroom was removed to create a wheelhouse style landing/passage hall, now home to a quiet workspace, featuring original wide plank floors and tailor-made sconces. Baths were added and upgraded including soapstone tops, marble, a glorious soaker tub in the generous master bath, all giving the home a taste of luxury. Bathing in sunlight rests the master suite starring the original beams, cathedral ceilings, and well-suited chandelier. Throughout the home strategically designed built-ins provide a plethora of storage and organization. This 280 year-old Colonial shines on brighter than ever. We are proud to have been part of its long history.
Photo by Eric Roth

Timeless, Tailored & Completely Livable — Primary Suite, Foyer & Whole-Home Interior Design | Raleigh, NC
This project is a study in how to make a home feel both elevated and deeply personal. Warm tones, natural wood, thoughtful layering of pattern and texture, and fixture choices that feel curated rather than catalog — every room earns its place.
The foyer makes an immediate impression. Herringbone hardwood floors set a classic tone underfoot, while gray grasscloth wallpaper adds warmth and texture to the walls. A brass cage lantern flush mount and wainscoting complete the entry, making it feel finished without being fussy. It's the kind of space that makes guests pause.
The primary bedroom is the project's centerpiece. A brass spindle bed frame anchors the room with quiet drama, flanked by walnut nightstands with brass legs and topped with a pair of extraordinarily custom lighting moments — multi-rod pendant chandeliers in brass and glass that hang from ceiling canopies, functioning as both bedside task lighting and sculptural focal points. Soft blue-gray custom drapery in a tonal dash-dot pattern hangs floor to ceiling on brass rods, layered over woven shades for light control and warmth. A pair of oatmeal linen swivel chairs with a marble-topped brass side table creates a proper sitting area at the foot of the bed. Floral accent pillows in terracotta and rust, an orange bolster, and a geometric cream and blue area rug give the neutral palette its energy. A modern minimalist white ceiling fan balances the traditional bones of the room beautifully.
The primary bathroom is a full gut renovation executed at the highest level. Warm walnut cabinetry with raised panel detailing runs the full length of a double vanity, topped with white quartz and finished with polished nickel hardware and fixtures throughout. A heated towel warmer, large format Calacatta-look marble tile floors, individual rounded-rectangle nickel-framed mirrors, and nickel sconces round out the vanity wall. The shower is nothing short of a spa experience — floor-to-ceiling Calacatta marble tile in large format, a ceiling-mounted rain head, wall-mounted traditional shower head, hand shower on a slide bar, linear drain, floating bench seat, and grab bars integrated so seamlessly they feel designed rather than added. A second bathroom receives the same care: dark walnut cabinetry, white quartz, polished nickel fixtures, a custom patterned Roman shade, and a cylindrical glass sconce with brass accent.
The walk-in pantry was designed with the same intentionality as every other room — white cabinetry, open upper shelving, a dedicated wine rack with both vertical and horizontal bottle storage, a second refrigerator, and dramatic swirling granite countertops that make even the utility spaces feel considered.

Built in 1938, this home has some beautiful architectural features. The former kitchen was charming, but it was not functional. Cabinet drawers were not opening properly, there was no hot water at the sink and there was no electric on the island. With the new kitchen design, we added several modern amenities, several of which are concealed behind cabinet doors and drawers.
Credits:
Designer: Erin Hurst, CKD-French's Cabinet Gallery, LLC
Contractor: Benjamin Breeding- Breeding Homes, LLC
Countertops: Smokey Mountain Tops
Cabinetry: Crestwood Inc.
Crown Molding: Stephens Millwork & Lumber Company
Tile: Dal Tile-Beth Taylor
Appliances: A1 Appliance-Tom Burns
Plumbing Fixtures: Kenny & Company-Jessica Smith
Paint: Jo Ella McClellan
Photographer: Dylan Reyes-Dylan Reyes Photos
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