An IdealMow meadow of hardy Carex pansa fills much of the expansive backyard. It maintains its lush color year round, despite needing only 20 percent of the water needed by the turf grass that once filled the space. A bevy of California native sages and other blooms wraps the meadow, softening the Spanish tile-topped garden wall.

This young couple was ready to make some changes to their master bedroom. They already laid a great foundation for me: beautiful wall color, carpet and trim. We just needed to update their furnishings and make this space feel more like them. They requested a bedroom that was more classic than trendy and a space that feels relaxing and spa-like. I started with the big pieces. I know they liked the light, upholstered bed look, which is awesome because I get so many clients who shy away from this option for fear of it getting dirty. Next up were the case pieces: dresser, night stands, high boy. I know a lot of designers who favor designing a bedroom with non-matching sets, but in this case, I thought opting for matching nightstands and dressers was the most classic choice and will stand the test of time best. They also a requested an area for the wive to do her make up and hair separate from the bathroom with ample light. I found a vanity, replaced the matching stool with an accent chair in a grey ikat print and used a pair of existing lamps. Extra seating is provided at the end of the bed on a tufted grey bench. The inverted pleat drapes are custom made with black out lining. Accessories and wall art were added to infuse personality and warm up the space.

The kitchen was designed around our 68" pot rack and our collection of copper pots. I have always LOVED the unfitted kitchen look, and was willing to do away with the average American kitchen design of a horizontal line of wall cabinets above base cabinets. I don't need a large pantry full of food to last me six months, we shop 2-3 times a week. Two wall cabinets was enough, and I converted a linen closet into my pantry and store the rest of my once a year items in the basement. I wanted an urban loft feel for my kitchen, to achieve that I installed brick veneer and used a textured black/gray laminate called Lava for the base cabinets. I wanted to mix up the colors, and loved the Bracing Blue paint by Sherwin-Williams and used that for the wall cabinets and the adjacent wall where the fridge and ovens are positioned. I also used the blue for the toe kick and the frame of the cabinet. I selected white mortar for the bricks to lighten up the brick wall and to compliment the white marble counter tops. I used real marble because I want, over time, the marble to reflect the wear and tear of my life as I make memories in my kitchen.

She immediately was drawn to the back/white palette with pops of pinks, purples, and greens. I found some graphic Designers Guild fabric in black, white pinks, oranges and green…it was perfect. From there the black diamond textured wallpaper on the ceiling which had a little sparkle gave her room the uniqueness needed! The zebra hide rug was easy, as well as the greens in the accessories and lighting. A Stray dog overhead light that added a little whimsy finished the space for her and adds a beautiful reflection and shadow play on the perimeter walls!

A clever custom storage wall takes the place of a traditional closet, simplifying the furnishing needs for this home’s guest bedroom. The clean lines of the honey stained alder cabinetry keep the aesthetic modern. Off-white quartz countertops cap the dressing area and bench seat, which doubles as stylish luggage storage. Linen draperies suspended from bronze rods can be seen reflected in the built-in dressing mirror. The warm tones of the cabinetry play nicely against the light ivory walls.

Step into this tranquil refuge of ebullience, opulence and tranquility; a silver Mecca that captures the eye with its shining, artsy patterns and soothing silver-ivory hues. A place to rest. A place to reflect. A place to bask in the beauty.

Bedroom - mid-sized transitional master carpeted and gray floor bedroom idea in Seattle with gray walls and no fireplace

Built in pantry with tons of storage, the extra wide deep drawers below roll outs and adjustable shelves in the upper section are convenient to the kitchen and near the bar!

This client came to us wanting to enhance their existing space by using some creative finishes for walls. They hoped to make the home feel more urban, rustic and modern as opposed to the traditional architectural style of the structure but did not know how to accomplish this transition. Upon our arrival it was noted that all walls had been painted white which was determined too harsh and did not achieve the modern feel the homeowner had hoped to evoke. The space was softened by using a subtle and fresh color palette with one accent color for impact. Teal was the color selected to create a continuous thread of pop in varying degrees in each room which included the Entry Hall, Dining Room and Living Room. Touches of black were injected into each space due to the client’s previous purchases of a drum fixture for the living room and black dining table; both gave direction on scale and style. The Entry Hall was made powerfully impactful as someone enters the home by taking its cue from the abstract art selected for the Dining Room. A faux concrete wall was created with the use of artistically combined colors. In the Dining Room, the use of classic chairs are successfully made modern by upholstering in teal leather which added both continuity and unexpected interest next to the velvet Greek Key pattern found on host chairs. In the Living Room custom upholstered sofa and chairs are grounded by a rug that brings all colors together. A unique copper rivet finish was applied in the niches that flank the fireplace as a contrast to whimsical amber crystal mini chandeliers hung over modern consoles that display simple yet exciting teal bowls. The final furnishings, art and accessories ultimately brought the entire home together in a rustic, modern way that is warm and inviting reflecting the unique personality of the people who live there.

A meeting... Of materials: stainless steel, glass, white Carrara marble, wood, black Marquinia stone. Of styles, Farmhouse Shaker style contemporary and classic yet gives of the warm feeling of a rustic vibe interior design, creating a third, which transcends time. Match of finishes: hammering, antique brass finish, trowel, natural finish, matte, shiny reflective glass. An encounter between optimal functionality and pure aesthetics, which coexist in perfect balance. Blue avio, a color blue kitchen, played down by the large contemporary island and Shaker Style Cabinets, which aesthetically create a clever play of depth. The workhorse is undoubtedly his island, a dialogue of styles between classic and contemporary, a combination of materials in which honey-colored wood meets Nero Marquinia stone in a brushed finish and marble. The visual contrast alone, but also the Italian excellence of the material quality, make it a true work of art.

For this kitchen redesign, we drew inspiration from the industrial surroundings of Flatiron, as well as the owners' African roots -- building a space that reflected both.

We had so much fun decorating this space. No detail was too small for Nicole and she understood it would not be completed with every detail for a couple of years, but also that taking her time to fill her home with items of quality that reflected her taste and her families needs were the most important issues. As you can see, her family has settled in.

A meeting... Of materials: stainless steel, glass, white Carrara marble, wood, black Marquinia stone. Of styles, Farmhouse Shaker style contemporary and classic yet gives of the warm feeling of a rustic vibe interior design, creating a third, which transcends time. Match of finishes: hammering, antique brass finish, trowel, natural finish, matte, shiny reflective glass. An encounter between optimal functionality and pure aesthetics, which coexist in perfect balance. Blue avio, a color blue kitchen, played down by the large contemporary island and Shaker Style Cabinets, which aesthetically create a clever play of depth. The workhorse is undoubtedly his island, a dialogue of styles between classic and contemporary, a combination of materials in which honey-colored wood meets Nero Marquinia stone in a brushed finish and marble. The visual contrast alone, but also the Italian excellence of the material quality, make it a true work of art.

Eclectic style is a dynamic approach to design that embraces an unconventional blend of elements. It reflects modern tastes by combining diverse styles, materials, and colors that might not traditionally go together, resulting in a fresh and unique aesthetic. Unlike contemporary interiors, which favor clean, straight-lined foundational pieces, eclectic interiors celebrate variety and contrast, allowing for a mix-and-match approach that creates a distinctive and personalized look.

Barbara Brown Photography
Huge cottage concrete floor and beige floor enclosed kitchen photo in Atlanta with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, quartz countertops, metallic backsplash, metal backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

LIVING ROOM This week’s post features our Lake Forest Freshen Up: Living Room + Dining Room for the homeowners who relocated from California. The first thing we did was remove a large built-in along the longest wall and re-orient the television to a shorter wall. This allowed us to place the sofa which is the largest piece of furniture along the long wall and made the traffic flow from the Foyer to the Kitchen much easier. Now the beautiful stone fireplace is the focal point and the seating arrangement is cozy. We painted the walls Sherwin Williams’ Tony Taupe (SW7039). The mantle was originally white so we warmed it up with Sherwin Williams’ Gauntlet Gray (SW7019). We kept the upholstery neutral with warm gray tones and added pops of turquoise and silver. We tackled the large angled wall with an oversized print in vivid blues and greens. The extra tall contemporary lamps balance out the artwork. I love the end tables with the mixture of metal and wood, but my favorite piece is the leather ottoman with slide tray – it’s gorgeous and functional! The homeowner’s curio cabinet was the perfect scale for this wall and her art glass collection bring more color into the space. The large octagonal mirror was perfect for above the mantle. The homeowner wanted something unique to accessorize the mantle, and these “oil cans” fit the bill. A geometric fireplace screen completes the look. The hand hooked rug with its subtle pattern and touches of gray and turquoise ground the seating area and brings lots of warmth to the room. DINING ROOM There are only 2 walls in this Dining Room so we wanted to add a strong color with Sherwin Williams’ Cadet (SW9143). Utilizing the homeowners’ existing furniture, we added artwork that pops off the wall, a modern rug which adds interest and softness, and this stunning chandelier which adds a focal point and lots of bling! The Lake Forest Freshen Up: Living Room + Dining Room really reflects the homeowners’ transitional style, and the color palette is sophisticated and inviting. Enjoy!

A meeting... Of materials: stainless steel, glass, white Carrara marble, wood, black Marquinia stone. Of styles, Farmhouse Shaker style contemporary and classic yet gives of the warm feeling of a rustic vibe interior design, creating a third, which transcends time. Match of finishes: hammering, antique brass finish, trowel, natural finish, matte, shiny reflective glass. An encounter between optimal functionality and pure aesthetics, which coexist in perfect balance. Blue avio, a color blue kitchen, played down by the large contemporary island and Shaker Style Cabinets, which aesthetically create a clever play of depth. The workhorse is undoubtedly his island, a dialogue of styles between classic and contemporary, a combination of materials in which honey-colored wood meets Nero Marquinia stone in a brushed finish and marble. The visual contrast alone, but also the Italian excellence of the material quality, make it a true work of art.

After more than a decade in their new Alexandria home, our clients decided their kitchen was ready for a major refresh, both in form and function. The original stained wood cabinets and granite countertops had served them well, but the traditional design no longer fit with their evolving style which had become less formal and more transitional. The homeowners liked the idea of two-toned kitchen cabinets, so we opted for a combination of pure white and charcoal gray for dramatic contrast. Brushed gold fixtures and statement brass pulls add warmth and sophistication. The distinctive marble counters are a showstopper, with unique veining and striking color variation, from blue to gray to ochre. The shimmering blue-gray backsplash unites the entire space. The overall goal was to create an expansive entertaining kitchen that could accommodate our clients’ large gatherings of family and friends, and provide them with several zones for prepping, serving, seating, and socializing. Also high on the clients’ wish list: a more generous island, professional appliances, and better storage. We expanded the island in two directions to allow for comfortable seating at the counter with plenty of room for a table in the breakfast nook. An expandable bar height table in the adjacent dining area offers even more flexibility for eating and socializing. We designed a custom hutch which has a multitude of storage options and functionality – open display shelves, roll-outs, drawers, extra counter/serving space, as well as a beverage fridge and appliance garage/coffee center. On the opposite side of the kitchen, we replaced a small pantry closet with a furniture style built-in that took advantage of underutilized space. Anticipating issues with supply chain, we opted to use a local cabinet maker on this project which allowed us to fully customize the cabinets for optimal functionality. Other stand-out features include a Thermador appliance package, workstation farmhouse sink, ‘touch’ faucet, hot+cold water dispenser, and hidden toe-kick storage. Our clients now have a beautiful, cohesive space that reflects their personal style and fulfills their dream of a having an expansive kitchen where they can cook and entertain for years to come.

New opening to family room and new large blue island to seat five. Complimentary gold light fixtures, hardware and plumbing fixtures. Custom cabinets with doors closed. Silgranite sink. Custom backsplash uses 3 x 9 white matte tiles with peppered in 3 x 9 white glossy for just a pinch of fun and reflection from the under cabinet lighting.