Photos by Kaity
Example of a mid-sized farmhouse red two-story wood gable roof design in Grand Rapids

Inspiration for a large timeless l-shaped dark wood floor enclosed kitchen remodel in Other with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, an island, granite countertops, white backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a farmhouse sink and green countertops

Dimension: 43.5" L X 24" D X 17" H Our Bakersfield Solid Wood Baluster Coffee Table come with three storage drawers and a large shelf at bottom. Handmade by our traditional artisans this table has a unique and traditional look combining the natural beauty of the Solid Wood with usefulness of the design. This great coffee table has a spacious top and three drawers on the front to keep essentials at your fingertips yet out of sight. The Drawers are accented with wrought iron drop style pulls that adds richness to the look of the table. As with all of our furniture, this table has been hand polished and properly seasoned for a long-lasting natural finish. This table will look good in just about any room setting. Special Features: • 100% Handcrafted • Solid Rosewood craftsmanship • Rustic Traditional style • Extended top frame • A 2-tier rectangular coffee table with 3 drawers • Cylindrical legs • Platform feet • Extended top frame • Visually flexible • Premium heirloom quality • Easy to clean and maintain Note: Real wood is a product of nature, and as such, no two pieces are alike. Variations in solid wood grain patterns are to be expected and make each furniture uniquely beautiful, just like us humans.

Succulents in a rectanglular planter on the dining table make for a modern centerpiece. Photo Credits- Sigurjón Gudjónsson
Example of a small 1950s light wood floor great room design in New York with white walls and no fireplace

Our kitchen and bath designer, Claire, worked with the clients to design an amazing new kitchen (dubbed Not Your Average Island). The clients’ biggest headache was that the kitchen didn’t function for their family. They were limited with their current seating arrangement, their countertops were filled with appliances, proper storage solutions were lacking and the space was just not working well for them. With the banquette for the children to comfortably do their afternoon homework, additional island seating and enhanced function throughout, our designer Claire completely transformed this space. Her expertise created a one-of-a-kind (definitely not your average) island that was designed specifically for this wonderful family and allowed her to find a home for every piece and part (and more!) the homeowners use every day and the clients love their new kitchen! Photography: Scott Amundson Photography

The owners of this downtown Wichita condo contacted us to design a fireplace for their loft living room. The faux I-beam was the solution to hiding the duct work necessary to properly vent the gas fireplace. The ceiling height of the room was approximately 20' high. We used a mixture of real stone veneer, metallic tile, & black metal to create this unique fireplace design. The division of the faux I-beam between the materials brings the focus down to the main living area. Photographer: Fred Lassmann

Wall paint: Decorator's white, Benjamin Moore; rug: DwellStudio; coffee table, Structube; oar: vintage Photo: Le Michelle Nguyen © 2014 Houzz
Eclectic family room photo in Montreal

Inspiration for a transitional light wood floor and beige floor dining room remodel in Raleigh with white walls

Dimension: Dining Table: 109" L X 42" D X 31" H Chair: 18" L X 18" D X 41.5" H Celebrate tradition with San Francisco Rustic Furniture Large Dining Table with 10 Chairs Set. This classic blending of wrought iron and Solid Wood is a natural statement of sophistication. Attention to detail is evident throughout this quality rustic furniture set. This handmade rustic dining table and chair set is heirloom quality. It is properly treated and seasoned to a long-lasting finish. Special Features: • 100% Handcrafted • Made of pure solid wood • Black wrought iron grillwork on each dining chair is set in by hand • Metal hinge detail decorates chair and table corners • Tabletop features dramatic Solid Wood grain patterns • High back dining chairs feature wide seats which are designed for comfort • Heirloom quality Note: Real wood is a product of nature, and as such, no two pieces are alike. Variations in solid wood grain patterns are to be expected and make each furniture uniquely beautiful, just like us humans.

The After photo taken from the Dining Room shows just how well positioned and proper size furniture can make all the difference in a room.
Great room - large coastal medium tone wood floor and brown floor great room idea in Miami with beige walls and no fireplace

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional girl carpeted nursery remodel in New York with gray walls

Enclosed dining room - mid-sized traditional medium tone wood floor and beige floor enclosed dining room idea in New York with purple walls and no fireplace

Entryway - transitional entryway idea in New York

The remodeled lower level has space for entertaining, movie watching, and playing. It features a wet bar with marble subway tile, leather-textured granite, and custom cabinetry. The space also includes engineered hickory flooring. Photo Credit: David Bader Photography

  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

Valerie Wilcox
Island style eat-in kitchen photo in Toronto with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, metal backsplash and no island

Inspiration for a coastal dining room remodel in New York

Inspiration for a timeless formal dark wood floor living room remodel in New York with beige walls, a standard fireplace and no tv

The custom banquette next to a sunny window has adjoining towers with glass on two sides for display. This is a great way to transition from the kitchen proper to the eating area. Cabinets by Graber. Interior Design by James Douglas Interiors. Photo by Beth Singer