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

The layout of this colonial-style house lacked the open, coastal feel the homeowners wanted for their summer retreat. Siemasko + Verbridge worked with the homeowners to understand their goals and priorities: gourmet kitchen; open first floor with casual, connected lounging and entertaining spaces; an out-of-the-way area for laundry and a powder room; a home office; and overall, give the home a lighter and more “airy” feel. SV’s design team reprogrammed the first floor to successfully achieve these goals. SV relocated the kitchen to what had been an underutilized family room and moved the dining room to the location of the existing kitchen. This shift allowed for better alignment with the existing living spaces and improved flow through the rooms. The existing powder room and laundry closet, which opened directly into the dining room, were moved and are now tucked in a lower traffic area that connects the garage entrance to the kitchen. A new entry closet and home office were incorporated into the front of the house to define a well-proportioned entry space with a view of the new kitchen. By making use of the existing cathedral ceilings, adding windows in key locations, removing very few walls, and introducing a lighter color palette with contemporary materials, this summer cottage now exudes the light and airiness this home was meant to have. © Dan Cutrona Photography

Martha O'Hara Interiors, Interior Design & Photo Styling | Tait Moring & Associates, Landscape Architect | Piston Design, Photography Please Note: All “related,” “similar,” and “sponsored” products tagged or listed by Houzz are not actual products pictured. They have not been approved by Martha O’Hara Interiors nor any of the professionals credited. For information about our work, please contact design@oharainteriors.com.

Lake Front Country Estate Living Room, designed by Tom Markalunas, built by Resort Custom Homes. Photography by Rachael Boling.
Inspiration for a timeless formal and open concept medium tone wood floor living room remodel in Other with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Everyone deserves to end the day in a comfortable, tranquil home. And for those with children, it can seem impossible to reconcile the challenges of family life with the need to have a well-designed space. Our client—a financial executive and her family of four—had not considered a design makeover since moving into their apartment, which was more than ten years ago. So when she reached out to Decor Aid, she asked us to modernize and brighten her home, in addition to creating a space for her family to hang out and relax. The apartment originally featured sunflower-yellow walls and a set of brown suede living room furniture, all of which significantly darkened the space. The living room also did not have sufficient seating options, so the client was improvising seating arrangements when guests would come over. With no outward facing windows, the living room received little natural light, and so we began the redesign by painting the walls a classic grey, and adding white crown molding. As a pathway from the front door to the kitchen, the living room functions as a high-traffic area of the home. So we sourced a geometric indoor-outdoor area rug, and established a layout that’s easy to walk through. We also sourced a coffee table from Serena & Lily. Our client has teenage twins, and so we sourced a sturdy sectional couch from Restoration Hardware, and placed it in a corner which was previously being underused. We hired an electrician to hide all of the cables leading to the media console, and added custom window treatments. In the kitchen, we painted the cabinets a semi-gloss white, and added slate flooring, for a clean, crisp, modern look to match the living room. The finishing touches included a set of geometric table objects, comfortable throw rugs, and plush high-shine pillows. The final result is a fully functional living room for this family of four.

Formal living room: We played off symmetry of the windows and fireplace to create the spacious conversational layout, perfect for this chill family that enjoys quiet evenings at home. To achieve a farmhouse chic look, we used a blend of luxe, luminous materials and traditional farmhouse finishes (rustic & reclaimed wood, iron). Fabrics are high performance (kid friendly) and the coffee table is virtually indestructible to little ones! We choose a color palette of muted blues and citrine to blend with the lush natural scenery on the property, located in suburban New Jersery. Photo Credit: Erin Coren, Curated Nest Interiors

This contemporary family room features a sectional with a wood frame and grey upholstered seats, layered with black, grey, blue, and coral throw pillows and a dark grey waffle throw blanket for comfort and style. A circular blue ottoman adds a pop of color, while a grey, white, blue, and yellow geometric area rug anchors the space. A wood media console provides functional storage, and floor-to-ceiling windows fill the room with natural light. Flush trim and recessed baseboards maintain clean, modern lines, while white-framed contemporary art completes the look, creating a warm and inviting living area. Photo by Thomas Kuoh.

Jenny Melick
Inspiration for a small timeless galley medium tone wood floor and brown floor laundry room remodel in Charlotte with a side-by-side washer/dryer, raised-panel cabinets, a drop-in sink and white cabinets

Anthony Pippo Photography
Transitional family room photo in New York with gray walls

Goals While their home provided them with enough square footage, the original layout caused for many rooms to be underutilized. The closed off kitchen and dining room were disconnected from the other common spaces of the home causing problems with circulation and limited sight-lines. A tucked-away powder room was also inaccessible from the entryway and main living spaces in the house. Our Design Solution We sought out to improve the functionality of this home by opening up walls, relocating rooms, and connecting the entryway to the mudroom. By moving the kitchen into the formerly over-sized family room, it was able to really become the heart of the home with access from all of the other rooms in the house. Meanwhile, the adjacent family room was made into a cozy, comfortable space with updated fireplace and new cathedral style ceiling with skylights. The powder room was relocated to be off of the entry, making it more accessible for guests. A transitional style with rustic accents was used throughout the remodel for a cohesive first floor design. White and black cabinets were complimented with brass hardware and custom wood features, including a hood top and accent wall over the fireplace. Between each room, walls were thickened and archway were put in place, providing the home with even more character.

Example of a mid-sized transitional open concept carpeted family room design in Orange County with white walls

Rodwin Architecture & Skycastle Homes Location: Boulder, Colorado, USA Interior design, space planning and architectural details converge thoughtfully in this transformative project. A 15-year old, 9,000 sf. home with generic interior finishes and odd layout needed bold, modern, fun and highly functional transformation for a large bustling family. To redefine the soul of this home, texture and light were given primary consideration. Elegant contemporary finishes, a warm color palette and dramatic lighting defined modern style throughout. A cascading chandelier by Stone Lighting in the entry makes a strong entry statement. Walls were removed to allow the kitchen/great/dining room to become a vibrant social center. A minimalist design approach is the perfect backdrop for the diverse art collection. Yet, the home is still highly functional for the entire family. We added windows, fireplaces, water features, and extended the home out to an expansive patio and yard. The cavernous beige basement became an entertaining mecca, with a glowing modern wine-room, full bar, media room, arcade, billiards room and professional gym. Bathrooms were all designed with personality and craftsmanship, featuring unique tiles, floating wood vanities and striking lighting. This project was a 50/50 collaboration between Rodwin Architecture and Kimball Modern

This light and airy laundry room/mudroom beckons you with two beautiful white capiz seashell pendant lights, custom floor to ceiling cabinetry with crown molding, raised washer and dryer with storage underneath, wooden folding counter, and wall paper accent wall

This contemporary living room features a striking marble slab fireplace and matching marble accent wall, complemented by built-in bookcases and shelving for a seamless, curated look. Floor-to-ceiling black-framed windows with ceiling-mounted white curtains fill the space with natural light, while a dark wood waterfall coffee table anchors the seating area. Upholstered armchairs with wood frames and leather armrests, along with a neutral beige area rug, create a balanced, comfortable environment. Flush trim and recessed baseboards enhance the clean, modern lines of the room. Photo by Thomas Kuoh.

This new residence in Lincoln Park is designed for maximum efficiency of room-to-room layouts and floor-to-floor circulation. With an abundance of natural light, the main floor of kitchen-dining-living is set 10’ above street level and cantilevered out over the ground floor entry. This provides a comfortable separation from the busy activities below, while still connecting the home to the neighborhood.

This young family began working with us after struggling with their previous contractor. They were over budget and not achieving what they really needed with the addition they were proposing. Rather than extend the existing footprint of their house as had been suggested, we proposed completely changing the orientation of their separate kitchen, living room, dining room, and sunroom and opening it all up to an open floor plan. By changing the configuration of doors and windows to better suit the new layout and sight lines, we were able to improve the views of their beautiful backyard and increase the natural light allowed into the spaces. We raised the floor in the sunroom to allow for a level cohesive floor throughout the areas. Their extended kitchen now has a nice sitting area within the kitchen to allow for conversation with friends and family during meal prep and entertaining. The sitting area opens to a full dining room with built in buffet and hutch that functions as a serving station. Conscious thought was given that all “permanent” selections such as cabinetry and countertops were designed to suit the masses, with a splash of this homeowner’s individual style in the double herringbone soft gray tile of the backsplash, the mitred edge of the island countertop, and the mixture of metals in the plumbing and lighting fixtures. Careful consideration was given to the function of each cabinet and organization and storage was maximized. This family is now able to entertain their extended family with seating for 18 and not only enjoy entertaining in a space that feels open and inviting, but also enjoy sitting down as a family for the simple pleasure of supper together.

Although originally intended as an outdoor piece, the bench is at home in the couple's living room. Porter found the bench at High Point and adorned it with custom pillows. This simplicity of design defines a new direction for the Bryan home, proving that minimal decor needn't mean cool and austere. Draperies, Pottery Barn; Pillow Fabrics: Duralee Photo: Adrienne DeRosa © Houzz 2014

Gorgeous TV lift cabinet furniture piece placed beautifully as a room divider between the lounge and dining area. Lift kit built inside the white fine lined modern piece creates the opportunity to have a TV and not look at it while in use. Added benefit is that the furniture is also a perfect fit to softly separate the 2 room areas. Cabinet Tronix specializes in TV lift furniture systems and has best of Houzz for 2014, 2015, and 2016. Photography by Jacob Hand Anthony Michael Interior Design Florida Miami Jade at Brickell Bay Santa Maria Bristol Tower Four Seasons Residences Icon Brickell I II III Skyline on Brickell The Mark on Brickell Brickell City Centre Reach The Plaza on Brickell East West 1060 Brickell – 1050 Brickellhouse 1100 Millecento Espirito Santo Plaza Villa Regina Infinity at Brickell Brickell on the River North South The Palace Brickell Bay Club Brickell Townhouse Axis on Brickell North South Nine at Mary Brickell Village 500 Brickell East West Atlantis on Brickell Imperial on Brickell MYBrickell Solaris at Brickell The Club at Brickell Bay Vue at Brickell The Sail

Cure Design Group (636) 294-2343 https://curedesigngroup.com/ First things first…this renovation was certainly a labor of love for everyone involved, from our amazing clients, to the contractors, vendors and us, this project consumed all of us and the outcome is more than Gorgeous. This contemporary home is nestled back in a a great area of St Louis County. A brick ranch with contemporary touches…once adorned glass blocked bar and stairwell, a tiny galley kitchen and a remodeled garage that once housed their “dining and hearth room” but no one ever used that space. CURE Senior Designer, Cori Dyer took this space, completely and brilliantly re worked the configuration and entire floor plan and layout. Tearing out the dividing wall from the kitchen and what was once the garage, allowed the new kitchen layout to be flipped to the now long perpendicular wall, and created an open mega kitchen with great natural light, double islands, eat in kitchen and seating area, bar and open the great room. You can stand among the space at any point and are able to take in the entire view. Creating an uber chic space doesn’t happen on its own…it takes intricate design, research and planning. Custom made cabinets, a double island featuring two surfaces a butcher block and unforgettable marble. This clean color palette plays well with the new custom furniture in the great room, creating a seating area that sparks conversations.