Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional 3/4 gray tile and subway tile porcelain tile and brown floor doorless shower remodel in Los Angeles with a two-piece toilet, white walls, a wall-mount sink and quartz countertops

The new bar includes Perlick’s 15” Ice Maker and Perlick’s 15” Signature Series Indoor Refrigerator for quick access to cold drinks near the hot tub. Now, guests can hang out by the bar and tv to watch the game, while another group can enjoy a sit-down meal and a quieter moment at the other end of the cabana.

Example of an ornate attached two-car porte cochere design in New York

The best feature of bi-fold doors is their versatile design. Made from panels that can retract and fold, they are an excellent way to expand small spaces. You can open an entire wall for a seamless connection to the outdoors, or use the man door for quick and private access.

  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

The large outdoor deck allows the homeowner to enjoy the incredible views while still being protected from the occasional breezes/winds. The full-height sliding glass doors provides quick and easy access from the kitchen and great room.

Ciro Coelho Photography
Island style great room photo in San Luis Obispo with beige walls

Classic Coffers is a complete suspended coffered wood ceiling system. Installation is quick and easy with prefinished and precut pieces. The entire system clips onto a standard 15/16" ceiling grid giving you the warmth of a wood ceiling with access to the plenum. Great for home theaters, family rooms, man caves and basement remodels. Photo by Joe Adams

Devine Bath
Inspiration for a transitional bathroom remodel in Portland

Rob Karosis: Photographer
Open concept kitchen - large traditional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen idea in Bridgeport with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, gray backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

An organized pantry helps speed meal preparation. Open shelves make it easy to find what you need quickly. No more struggling to pull out large pots - they are easily accessible on a shelf. Pull out racks for spices and wine racks add convenience and are attractive as well.

Take a quick look at this fantastic walk-in pantry complete with coffee station and opposite built-in wine rack. A pocket door allows for easy access without the space a normal door takes. Automatic light comes on when the door slides open and turns off when closed.

The House Hydrant V2+ provides quick water access near the residence's pool.
Example of a minimalist exterior home design in Seattle

Inspiration for a coastal master medium tone wood floor bedroom remodel in Miami with white walls and no fireplace

Classic porch idea in Atlanta

Spice pullouts are a great item in any kitchen. Quick access to all your spices & oils for cooking.
Kitchen - large traditional kitchen idea in Toronto with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets and an island

Kitchen featuring white oak lower cabinetry, white painted upper cabinetry with blue accent cabinetry, including the island. Custom steel hood fabricated in-house by Ridgecrest Designs. Custom wood beam light fixture fabricated in-house by Ridgecrest Designs. Steel mesh cabinet panels, brass and bronze hardware, La Cornue French range, concrete island countertop and engineered quartz perimeter countertop. The 10' AG Millworks doors open out onto the California Room.

Crystal Lake is conveniently located in Gulfport off of Canal Road with quick access to I-10 for easy commuting, short trips to the beach, local shopping, and entertainment. This peaceful lake community is located less than 5 minutes from all of the best Gulfport has to offer.

Organized Living Activity Organizers provides endless possibilities to organize work and gardening tools. Accessories snap onto the wall grid and are adjustable which is important when it comes to customizing storage to your need for years to come. Perfect for garages, sheds and workshops. See more ways to use Activity Organizers here: http://www.organizedliving.com/home/products/activity-organizers/inspiration-gallery