Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   The Klimala’s and their three kids are no strangers to moving, this being their fifth house in the same town over the 20-year period they have lived there. “It must be the 7-year itch, because every seven years, we seem to find ourselves antsy for a new project or a new environment. I think part of it is being a designer, I see my own taste evolve and I want my environment to reflect that. Having easy access to wonderful tradesmen and a knowledge of the process makes it that much easier”. This time, Klimala’s fell in love with a somewhat unlikely candidate. The 1950’s ranch turned cape cod was a bit of a mutt, but it’s location 5 minutes from their design studio and backing up to the high school where their kids can roll out of bed and walk to school, coupled with the charm of its location on a private road and lush landscaping made it an appealing choice for them. “The bones of the house were really charming. It was typical 1,500 square foot ranch that at some point someone added a second floor to. Its sloped roofline and dormered bedrooms gave it some charm.” With the help of architect Maureen McHugh, Klimala’s gutted and reworked the layout to make the house work for them. An open concept kitchen and dining room allows for more frequent casual family dinners and dinner parties that linger. A dingy 3-season room off the back of the original house was insulated, given a vaulted ceiling with skylights and now opens up to the kitchen. This room now houses an 8’ raw edge white oak dining table and functions as an informal dining room. “One of the challenges with these mid-century homes is the 8’ ceilings. I had to have at least one room that had a higher ceiling so that’s how we did it” states Klimala. The kitchen features a 10’ island which houses a 5’0” Galley Sink. The Galley features two faucets, and double tiered rail system to which accessories such as cutting boards and stainless steel bowls can be added for ease of cooking. Across from the large sink is an induction cooktop. “My two teen daughters and I enjoy cooking, and the Galley and induction cooktop make it so easy.” A wall of tall cabinets features a full size refrigerator, freezer, double oven and built in coffeemaker. The area on the opposite end of the kitchen features a pantry with mirrored glass doors and a beverage center below. The rest of the first floor features an entry way, a living room with views to the front yard’s lush landscaping, a family room where the family hangs out to watch TV, a back entry from the garage with a laundry room and mudroom area, one of the home’s four bedrooms and a full bath. There is a double sided fireplace between the family room and living room. The home features pops of color from the living room’s peach grass cloth to purple painted wall in the family room. “I’m definitely a traditionalist at heart but because of the home’s Midcentury roots, I wanted to incorporate some of those elements into the furniture, lighting and accessories which also ended up being really fun. We are not formal people so I wanted a house that my kids would enjoy, have their friends over and feel comfortable.” The second floor houses the master bedroom suite, two of the kids’ bedrooms and a back room nicknamed “the library” because it has turned into a quiet get away area where the girls can study or take a break from the rest of the family. The area was originally unfinished attic, and because the home was short on closet space, this Jack and Jill area off the girls’ bedrooms houses two large walk-in closets and a small sitting area with a makeup vanity. “The girls really wanted to keep the exposed brick of the fireplace that runs up the through the space, so that’s what we did, and I think they feel like they are in their own little loft space in the city when they are up there” says Klimala. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Carlos Vergara For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

General Contractor: Hagstrom Builders | Photos: Corey Gaffer Photography
Inspiration for a transitional wooden l-shaped staircase remodel in Minneapolis with painted risers

Inspiration for a large timeless master porcelain tile and brown floor alcove shower remodel in Charleston with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, gray walls, granite countertops, a two-piece toilet, a hinged shower door and gray countertops

Children's bedroom on the second floor of this completely remodeled beach house. Custom built bunk beds with custom built-ins for storage, wall paper to warm up the space and wood floors with a light finish reminiscent of sun bleached driftwood. French doors open to a second floor balcony with an amazing water view.

This second floor laundry area was created out of part of an existing master bathroom. It allowed the client to move their laundry station from the basement to the second floor, greatly improving efficiency.

This darling kids room is the perfect space for a growing family. The bright orange wall adds a sense of fun and excitement while the hardwood floors and thick trim keep the room warm and comfortable.

This six-bedroom home — all with en-suite bathrooms — is a brand new home on one of Lincoln Park's most desirable streets. The neo-Georgian, brick and limestone façade features well-crafted detailing both inside and out. The lower recreation level is expansive, with 9-foot ceilings throughout. The first floor houses elegant living and dining areas, as well as a large kitchen with attached great room, and the second floor holds an expansive master suite with a spa bath and vast walk-in closets. A grand, elliptical staircase ascends throughout the home, concluding in a sunlit penthouse providing access to an expansive roof deck and sweeping views of the city.. Nathan Kirkman

The second floor laundry room is kept light and bright with white painted shaker style cabinetry, here in a frameless cabinet style, for a more budget friendly approach. White subway tile is installed on the backsplash in a more standard 3"x 6" module.

"Maid's" bath A custom dark-wood vanity, light brown stone tile and dark brown granite counter. Alon Toker
Inspiration for a small mediterranean 3/4 beige tile and stone tile marble floor bathroom remodel in Los Angeles with shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets and granite countertops

Arts and crafts exterior home photo in Seattle

Fully integrated Signature Estate featuring Creston controls and Crestron panelized lighting, and Crestron motorized shades and draperies, whole-house audio and video, HVAC, voice and video communication atboth both the front door and gate. Modern, warm, and clean-line design, with total custom details and finishes. The front includes a serene and impressive atrium foyer with two-story floor to ceiling glass walls and multi-level fire/water fountains on either side of the grand bronze aluminum pivot entry door. Elegant extra-large 47'' imported white porcelain tile runs seamlessly to the rear exterior pool deck, and a dark stained oak wood is found on the stairway treads and second floor. The great room has an incredible Neolith onyx wall and see-through linear gas fireplace and is appointed perfectly for views of the zero edge pool and waterway. The center spine stainless steel staircase has a smoked glass railing and wood handrail.

Had the opportunity to work on the beautiful home of Joey McIntyre. Project featured in Variety, "Originally designed by celebrated architect Paul Williams and extensively updated and renovated to combine period architectural details with a modern-day lifestyle, the approximately 4,300-square-foot East Coast traditional has four bedrooms and four full and two half bathrooms plus a detached cottage with another bathroom for guests or staff. A slender center hall foyer features polished grey and white checkerboard marble floor tiles and a tightly curved staircase; the formal living room has a fireplace and floor-to-ceiling bay window that looks out to the verdant front yard; a library opens through transom-topped French doors to the backyard; and a chandelier lit formal dining room comfortably seats ten or twelve. An open-plan wing behind the dining room includes a spacious and well-equipped eat-in kitchen with five-stool snack bar integrated into a double wide island and, beyond that, a cozily proportioned TV-room with pilaster-accented fireplace and French door access to the yard. Two guest or family bedrooms share a hall bathroom on the second floor while a third guest/family bedroom has its own bathroom plus French doors to a slim balcony shared with the master bedroom that offers up a fireplace, walk-in closet and a spacious, marble-tiled bathroom with claw-footed soaking tub, steam shower and French doors that open to a Juliet balcony." Click here to read more > http://variety.com/2018/dirt/real-estalker/joey-mcintyre-hancock-park-house-nkotb-1202812317/

Trendy u-shaped kitchen photo in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, gray backsplash and stainless steel appliances

The breakfast area adjoins the clean and open cooking and prep area with easy access to all cooking equipment. The floors are Marmoleum, and provide a sustainable and easy to clean surface. Photography by Ocular Proof.

The overarching design intent for this 1,455-square-foot West Vine Street condominium was to make the spaces contemporary and functional. The renovation began with an unexpected structural deficiency in the form of a post located in the middle of the living room that was causing a three-inch dip in the floor. It was removed and replaced with steel columns running down through the walls and into a footing pad with a three-foot depth. The main living spaces underwent significant changes; the kitchen was reconfigured to open up a formerly cramped space, and the removal of a wall made room for a cascading island with Cesarstone countertops—a crowning feature. Additionally, an electrical panel was relocated to be able to wrap the refrigerator with a wood veneer frame. Notable materials include eight-inch-wide ‘Esplanade’ French oak plank floors chosen to complement the reclaimed wood-wrapped ceiling beams, which feature a combination of LED downlighting and uplighting. A sleek gas fireplace with horizontal slate surround and paneled wall backing replaced an old wood-burning stove—furthering the design program. Pacheco-Robb Architects dismantled an existing spiral stair and replaced it with a cable-rail system—a nautical nod—which is noteworthy for the way it meets code; by running a contiguous oak banister for the entire length of the stair, they were able to avoid having to add a second railing, which would shrink the already narrow stairwell. Upstairs, a tight bedroom with gabled ceilings was addressed by adding a solar-operated skylight with built-in shade, plus minimalistic furnishings. Structural changes in the master bedroom included eliminating a closest to widen the room, and reconfiguring a bathroom to fit a small walk-in closet in lieu of a long, thin hallway. The formerly unfinished rooftop deck is now accessed via a six-foot door that opens more than 90 degrees. Azek decking was laid over the rubber roof, and two-inch stanchions were located around the rail’s outer edge. By opening the floor plan and streamlining the aesthetic, the place now breathes.

Working from the existing home’s deficits, we designed a bright and classic home well-suited to today’s living. Instead of a dark tunnel-like entry, we have a skylight custom curving stair that no one can believe is not original. Instead of a maze of rooms to reach the gorgeous park-like backyard, we have a clear central axis, allowing a sightline right through from the top of the stairs. Instead of three bedrooms scattered all over the house, we have zoned them to the second floor, each well-proportioned with a true master suite. Painted wood paneling, face-frame cabinets, box-beam beilings and Calacatta counters express the classic grandeur of the home.

Looking down from the new second-floor landing — sputnik chandelier, painted shiplap accent wall, an arched accent window, dark stained hardwood floors, and a clean white-baluster railing tie the new upper level together — second-level addition in Bergenfield, NJ by WA Construct.

5,411 SF two story home in the Encino Hills overlooking Los Angeles. This home features an attached two-car garage, 4 Bedrooms, 5 1/2 Baths, 2 Offices, Foyer, Gallery, Gym, Great Room, Den, Dining, Kitchen, Morning Room, Mud Room, Laundry, Loggia, Jacuzzi, and a pool with a gorgeous view overlooking Los Angeles. Walls of glass, natural stone surfaces featuring Porcelanosa tile, high ceilings, and sweeping vistas fuse the home's indoor and outdoor environments. The outdoor space features a fire pit, Jacuzzi, and swimming pool; the extensive use of windows not only brings the view inside but maximizes the use of natural light. Photovoltaic panels supply power to the home and pool and dramatically reduce energy consumption year round. Tankless water heaters, bamboo cabinetry and flooring, and tight high quality insulation further reduce the environmental footprint of the home and make it more sustainable...this home is also featured in FIND BLISS and LUXE Magazine. Eco Friendly and Green Home. Photo by: Latham Architectural

This angle of this open concept model home gives you a view of the living room, kitchen, dining room, and staircase to the second floor as well as the second floor office.