Photo by Caitlin Atkinson
Photo of a modern landscaping in San Francisco.

Example of a trendy bedroom design in Miami with a wood stove

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Lakefront property in the northwest suburbs of Chicago is hard to come by, so when we were hired by this young family with exactly that, we were immediately inspired by not just the unusually large footprint of this 1950’s colonial revival but also the lovely views of the manmade lake it was sited on. The large 5-bedroom home was solidly stuck in the 1980’s, but we saw tons of potential. We started out by updating the existing staircase with a fresh coat of paint and adding new herringbone slate to the entry hall. The powder room off the entryway also got a refresh - new flooring, new cabinets and fixtures. We ran the new slate right through into this space for some consistency. A fun wallpaper and shiplap trim add a welcoming feel and set the tone for the home. Next, we tackled the kitchen. Located away from the rest of the first floor, the kitchen felt a little isolated, so we immediately began planning for how to better connect it to the rest of the first floor. We landed on removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room and designed a modified galley style space with separate cooking and clean up zones. The cooking zone consists of the refrigerator, prep sink and cooktop, along with a nice long run of prep space at the island. The cleanup side of the kitchen consists of the main sink and dishwasher. Both areas are situated so that the user can view the lake during prep work and cleanup! One of the home’s main puzzles was how to incorporate the mudroom and area in front of the patio doors at the back of the house. We already had a breakfast table area, so the space by the patio doors was a bit of a no man’s land. We decided to separate the kitchen proper from what became the new mudroom with a large set of barn doors. That way you can quickly hide any mudroom messes but have easy access to the light coming in through the patio doors as well as the outdoor grilling station. We also love the impact the barn doors add to the overall space. The homeowners’ first words to us were “it’s time to ditch the brown,” so we did! We chose a lovely blue pallet that reflects the home’s location on the lake which is also vibrant yet easy on the eye. Countertops are white quartz, and the natural oak floor works well with the other honey accents. The breakfast table was given a refresh with new chairs, chandelier and window treatments that frame the gorgeous views of the lake out the back. We coordinated the slate mudroom flooring with that used in the home’s main entrance for a consistent feel. The storage area consists of open and closed storage to allow for some clutter control as needed. Next on our “to do” list was revamping the dated brown bar area in the neighboring dining room. We eliminated the clutter by adding some closed cabinets and did some easy updates to help the space feel more current. One snag we ran into here was the discovery of a beam above the existing open shelving that had to be modified with a smaller structural beam to allow for our new design to work. This was an unexpected surprise, but in the end we think it was well worth it! We kept the colors here a bit more muted to blend with the homeowner’s existing furnishings. Open shelving and polished nickel hardware add some simple detail to the new entertainment zone which also looks out onto the lake! Next we tackled the upstairs starting with the homeowner’s son’s bath. The bath originally had both a tub shower and a separate shower, so we decided to swap out the shower for a new laundry area. This freed up some space downstairs in what used to be the mudroom/laundry room and is much more convenient for daily laundry needs. We continued the blue palette here with navy cabinetry and the navy tile in the shower. Porcelain floor tile and chrome fixtures keep maintenance to a minimum while matte black mirrors and lighting add some depth the design. A low maintenance runner adds some warmth underfoot and ties the whole space together. We added a pocket door to the bathroom to minimize interference with the door swings. The left door of the laundry closet is on a 180 degree hinge to allow for easy full access to the machines. Next we tackled the master bath which is an en suite arrangement. The original was typical of the 1980’s with the vanity outside of the bathroom, situated near the master closet. And the brown theme continued here with multiple shades of brown. Our first move was to segment off the bath and the closet from the master bedroom. We created a short hall from the bedroom to the bathroom with his and hers walk-in closets on the left and right as well as a separate toilet closet outside of the main bathroom for privacy and flexibility. The original bathroom had a giant soaking tub with steps (dangerous!) as well as a small shower that did not work well for our homeowner who is 6’3”. With other bathtubs in the home, they decided to eliminate the tub and create an oversized shower which takes up the space where the old tub was located. The double vanity is on the opposite wall and a bench is located under the window for morning conversations and a place to set a couple of towels. The pallet in here is light and airy with a mix of blond wood, creamy porcelain and marble tile, and brass accents. A simple roman shade adds some texture and it’s top-down mechanism allows for light and privacy. This large whole house remodel gave our homeowners not only the ability to maximize the potential of their home but also created a lovely new frame from which to view their fabulous lake views. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

NW Architectural Photography - Dale Lang
Inspiration for a large master multicolored tile and ceramic tile cork floor japanese bathtub remodel in Portland with an undermount sink and quartz countertops

Master bath with quartzite floor and basin, Heath wall tiles, sunken and integrally lit mirrors, and an intricately patterned ceiling inset. Images | Kurt Jordan Photography

Without the space for a large pool a compact 16’ x 28’ vinyl liner pool was designed with two purposes. In summer it can be used as a refreshing plunge pool, while in spring and fall it can be heated to hot spring temperature and significantly extend the pool season. A two-foot perimeter path of low maintenance river rock ensures proper drainage between the retaining wall and fence.

Inspiration for a contemporary closet remodel in New York

Living room - traditional formal and enclosed dark wood floor living room idea with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

Designed by MossCreek, this beautiful timber frame home includes signature MossCreek style elements such as natural materials, expression of structure, elegant rustic design, and perfect use of space in relation to build site. Photo by Mark Smith

When building new, it's possible to achieve the proper site drainage while eliminating any steps going into the main entrance.
Example of a mid-sized country green two-story mixed siding gable roof design with a metal roof

Example of a country staircase design in Portland

Mid-sized and bedroom trendy guest and gender-neutral carpeted kids' bedroom photo in San Francisco with white walls

Bedroom - contemporary carpeted and gray floor bedroom idea in Denver with white walls

Abby Caroline Photography
Example of a mid-sized cottage master white tile and subway tile ceramic tile and black floor claw-foot bathtub design in Atlanta with an undermount sink, soapstone countertops, white walls, louvered cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets and a hinged shower door

We had the pleasure of adding some serious style to this pied-a-terre located in the heart of Austin. With only 750 square feet, we were able to give this Airbnb property a chic combination of both Texan culture and contemporary style via locally sourced artwork and intriguing textiles. We wanted the interior to be attractive to everyone who stepped in the door, so we chose an earth-toned color palette consisting of soft creams, greens, blues, and peach. Contrasting black accents and an eclectic gallery wall fill the space with a welcoming personality that also leaves a “city vibe” feel. Designed by Sara Barney’s BANDD DESIGN, who are based in Austin, Texas and serving throughout Round Rock, Lake Travis, West Lake Hills, and Tarrytown. For more about BANDD DESIGN, click here: https://bandddesign.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://bandddesign.com/downtown-austin-pied-a-terre/

Salty Lime Veneer gives an artistic yet sophisticated style to this contemporary reach-in closet. With floating shelves, lighting (hanging) rods, pullout bins and shoe storage, this custom closet provides the perfect blend of form and function.

Photo: Heather Banks © 2015 Houzz Design: Brandi Hines
Minimalist entryway photo in Austin

Robert Hill
Huge mediterranean lap and beige backyard stone, rectangular and stucco house exterior idea in San Diego with a shingle roof

ARC Photography
Mid-sized trendy enclosed concrete floor home theater photo in Los Angeles with beige walls and a wall-mounted tv