Floating stairs are crafted from solid oak beams salvaged from a barn in Oregon. The stringer is black painted steel. The enclosed stairwell acts as a sculptural anchor. Behind the stairwell on the left is a laundry closet concealed by a large sliding door and steps leading up to the mud room. photos by scott hargis

Example of a 1960s l-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen design with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, wood countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

My client decided to sell his house. Fantastic location, best schools in the area, minutes away from the ocean... All that was missing were signs of life and updated finishes. We instantly agreed on whites & greys; a free standing tub, double vanity, and long-lasting / easy-maintenance tile. We now have a clean white space that can be molded into anyone's perfect bath. White canvas gives opportunity to add color and drama. I call this "Baltic White" because sky reflections and tint in the shower glass cast just enough blue to remind me of snowy winters in Scandinavia. To demonstrate character, I staged with black accessories, a tribal rug and added warmth via walnut tub shelf. Candles and salt rock ground the airy feel and leave us with a balanced space that is as welcoming as it is elegant. Photos - Hale Production Studios

Example of a trendy powder room design in New York with a vessel sink, a one-piece toilet and brown walls

The clients, a young professional couple had lived with this bathroom in their townhome for 6 years. They finally could not take it any longer. The designer was tasked with turning this ugly duckling into a beautiful swan without relocating walls, doors, fittings, or fixtures in this principal bathroom. The client wish list included, better storage, improved lighting, replacing the tub with a shower, and creating a sparkling personality for this uninspired space using any color way except white. The designer began the transformation with the wall tile. Large format rectangular tiles were installed floor to ceiling on the vanity wall and continued behind the toilet and into the shower. The soft variation in tile pattern is very soothing and added to the Zen feeling of the room. One partner is an avid gardener and wanted to bring natural colors into the space. The same tile is used on the floor in a matte finish for slip resistance and in a 2” mosaic of the same tile is used on the shower floor. A lighted tile recess was created across the entire back wall of the shower beautifully illuminating the wall. Recycled glass tiles used in the niche represent the color and shape of leaves. A single glass panel was used in place of a traditional shower door. Continuing the serene colorway of the bath, natural rift cut white oak was chosen for the vanity and the floating shelves above the toilet. A white quartz for the countertop, has a small reflective pattern like the polished chrome of the fittings and hardware. Natural curved shapes are repeated in the arch of the faucet, the hardware, the front of the toilet and shower column. The rectangular shape of the tile is repeated in the drawer fronts of the cabinets, the sink, the medicine cabinet, and the floating shelves. The shower column was selected to maintain the simple lines of the fittings while providing a temperature, pressure balance shower experience with a multi-function main shower head and handheld head. The dual flush toilet and low flow shower are a water saving consideration. The floating shelves provide decorative and functional storage. The asymmetric design of the medicine cabinet allows for a full view in the mirror with the added function of a tri view mirror when open. Built in LED lighting is controllable from 2500K to 4000K. The interior of the medicine cabinet is also mirrored and electrified to keep the countertop clear of necessities. Additional lighting is provided with recessed LED fixtures for the vanity area as well as in the shower. A motion sensor light installed under the vanity illuminates the room with a soft glow at night. The transformation is now complete. No longer an ugly duckling and source of unhappiness, the new bathroom provides a much-needed respite from the couples’ busy lives. It has created a retreat to recharge and replenish, two very important components of wellness.

Inspiration for a huge contemporary u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen remodel in Philadelphia with a single-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, gray backsplash, marble backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Thomas Hoebbel Photography
Mid-sized transitional l-shaped ceramic tile eat-in kitchen photo with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite countertops, multicolored backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Large elegant l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor wet bar photo in Portland with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, wood countertops, metal backsplash and brown countertops

Matthew Niemann Photography
Laundry room - transitional galley brick floor and brown floor laundry room idea with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, white walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and beige countertops

[Our Clients] We were so excited to help these new homeowners re-envision their split-level diamond in the rough. There was so much potential in those walls, and we couldn’t wait to delve in and start transforming spaces. Our primary goal was to re-imagine the main level of the home and create an open flow between the space. So, we started by converting the existing single car garage into their living room (complete with a new fireplace) and opening up the kitchen to the rest of the level. [Kitchen] The original kitchen had been on the small side and cut-off from the rest of the home, but after we removed the coat closet, this kitchen opened up beautifully. Our plan was to create an open and light filled kitchen with a design that translated well to the other spaces in this home, and a layout that offered plenty of space for multiple cooks. We utilized clean white cabinets around the perimeter of the kitchen and popped the island with a spunky shade of blue. To add a real element of fun, we jazzed it up with the colorful escher tile at the backsplash and brought in accents of brass in the hardware and light fixtures to tie it all together. Through out this home we brought in warm wood accents and the kitchen was no exception, with its custom floating shelves and graceful waterfall butcher block counter at the island. [Dining Room] The dining room had once been the home’s living room, but we had other plans in mind. With its dramatic vaulted ceiling and new custom steel railing, this room was just screaming for a dramatic light fixture and a large table to welcome one-and-all. [Living Room] We converted the original garage into a lovely little living room with a cozy fireplace. There is plenty of new storage in this space (that ties in with the kitchen finishes), but the real gem is the reading nook with two of the most comfortable armchairs you’ve ever sat in. [Master Suite] This home didn’t originally have a master suite, so we decided to convert one of the bedrooms and create a charming suite that you’d never want to leave. The master bathroom aesthetic quickly became all about the textures. With a sultry black hex on the floor and a dimensional geometric tile on the walls we set the stage for a calm space. The warm walnut vanity and touches of brass cozy up the space and relate with the feel of the rest of the home. We continued the warm wood touches into the master bedroom, but went for a rich accent wall that elevated the sophistication level and sets this space apart. [Hall Bathroom] The floor tile in this bathroom still makes our hearts skip a beat. We designed the rest of the space to be a clean and bright white, and really let the lovely blue of the floor tile pop. The walnut vanity cabinet (complete with hairpin legs) adds a lovely level of warmth to this bathroom, and the black and brass accents add the sophisticated touch we were looking for. [Office] We loved the original built-ins in this space, and knew they needed to always be a part of this house, but these 60-year-old beauties definitely needed a little help. We cleaned up the cabinets and brass hardware, switched out the formica counter for a new quartz top, and painted wall a cheery accent color to liven it up a bit. And voila! We have an office that is the envy of the neighborhood.

Thomas Hoebbel Photography
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized transitional l-shaped ceramic tile eat-in kitchen idea with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite countertops, multicolored backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Foyer - mid-sized country light wood floor and beige floor foyer idea with white walls and a glass front door

Luxury Simplified Construction
Example of a classic open concept dark wood floor and brown floor living room design in Charleston with beige walls

A fresh and inventive response to the McMansion, this new 4,000sf speculative development home has been meticulously designed and executed to deliver a tasteful and functional floor plan which reflects modern living.

Example of a transitional mudroom design in DC Metro with white walls

Kevin Meechan This home was inspired by the concept of south east meets south west. The rich colors add beautiful contrast to the traditional mountain craftsman design. The rustic house plan promotes open living spaces with a floor plan that provides abundant places to enjoy breath taking views, elegantly blending the outdoors with the indoors. From covered porches and multiple decks to a large lodge room offering a great view through a wall of windows, this mountain home plan embraces tranquil living.

Huge transitional master multicolored tile freestanding bathtub photo in Miami with recessed-panel cabinets, gray walls and gray cabinets