Getting children off to school and parents out the door for work makes mornings a bit crazy. Make life easier on yourself by installing one of these in your pantry cabinet. Be sure to locate it against the wall or in a low traffic area as it will need to remain open while in use - brewing coffee and toasters send out a lot of heat. Once breakfast is finished, the whole shelf rolls back into the cabinet, hiding the appliances and any mess.

Lisa Konz Photography This was such a fun project working with these clients who wanted to take an old school, traditional lake house and update it. We moved the kitchen from the previous location to the breakfast area to create a more open space floor plan. We also added ship lap strategically to some feature walls and columns. The color palette we went with was navy, black, tan and cream. The decorative and central feature of the kitchen tile and family room rug really drove the direction of this project. With plenty of light once we moved the kitchen and white walls, we were able to go with dramatic black cabinets. The solid brass pulls added a little drama, but the light reclaimed open shelves and cross detail on the island kept it from getting too fussy and clean white Quartz countertops keep the kitchen from feeling too dark. There previously wasn't a fireplace so added one for cozy winter lake days with a herringbone tile surround and reclaimed beam mantle. To ensure this family friendly lake house can withstand the traffic, we added sunbrella slipcovers to all the upholstery in the family room. The back screened porch overlooks the lake and dock and is ready for an abundance of extended family and friends to enjoy this beautiful updated and classic lake home.

Our kitchen and bath designer, Claire, worked with the clients to design an amazing new kitchen (dubbed Not Your Average Island). The clients’ biggest headache was that the kitchen didn’t function for their family. They were limited with their current seating arrangement, their countertops were filled with appliances, proper storage solutions were lacking and the space was just not working well for them. With the banquette for the children to comfortably do their afternoon homework, additional island seating and enhanced function throughout, our designer Claire completely transformed this space. Her expertise created a one-of-a-kind (definitely not your average) island that was designed specifically for this wonderful family and allowed her to find a home for every piece and part (and more!) the homeowners use every day and the clients love their new kitchen! Photography: Scott Amundson Photography

Bethany Nauert
Example of a mid-sized country 3/4 white tile and subway tile mosaic tile floor and white floor alcove shower design in Los Angeles with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, a two-piece toilet, blue walls, an undermount sink, marble countertops and a hinged shower door

Dominic Bonuccelli
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern detached studio / workshop shed remodel in Seattle

Photography by Corinne Cobabe
Small trendy 3/4 green tile and glass tile porcelain tile bathroom photo in Los Angeles with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets and white walls

Family room - large contemporary enclosed marble floor family room idea in San Francisco with red walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

When the school garden teacher at my kid’s school asked if I would volunteer to design the schools learning garden I was excited by the prospect. I drew up some plans with hopes of inspiring the next generation to getting involved with stewardship of the land. The goal was to create a space were children all abilities could have access to the process of growing food, tending to soils and recognizing the human connection with the natural world. With an emphasis on edible plants, the garden also incorporates native plants, plants that attract pollinators and plants that build soil. The garden includes a composting system, and a log circle to use as and out door classroom space. Unfortunately, half way through the installation of this garden the school was closed due to covid and no one was allowed on campus for 6 months. The garden fell into disrepair. As we slowly emerge from the pandemic the school is coming back to life and parent volunteers are allowed back on to campus. With that the garden is coming back as well. The rain harvesting nets and outdoor kitchen did not end up coming into reality. But through the pandemic we learned an even grater importance of outdoor class room space and the power of engaging with the outdoor world.

Added cubbies give the children the perfect spot to cuddle up with mom and dad for story time and mud room shelving and hooks to throw their forty-pound back packs after a long day of school Budget analysis and project development by: May Construction

This client came to us looking for a space that would allow their children a place to hang out while still feeling at home. The versatility of finished concrete flooring works well to adapt to a variety of home styles, and works seamlessly with this Craftsman-style home. We worked with the client to decide that a darker reactive stain would really make the space feel warm, inviting, and comfortable. The look and feel of the floor with this stain selection would be similar to the pictures they provided of the look they were targeting when we started the selection process. The clients really embraced the existing cracks in the concrete, and thought they exhibited the character of the house – and we agree. When our team works on residential projects, it is imperative that we keep everything as clean and mess-free as possible for the client. For this reason, our first step was to apply RAM Board throughout the house where our equipment would be traveling. Tape and 24″ plastic were also applied to the walls of the basement to protect them. The original floor was rather new concrete with some cracks. Our team started by filling the cracks with a patching product. The grinding process then began, concrete reactive stain was applied in the color Wenge Wood, and then the floor was sealed with our two step concrete densification and stain-guard process. The 5 step polishing process was finished by bringing the floor to a 800-grit level. We were excited to see how the space came together after the rest of construction, which was overseen by the contractor Arbor Homes, was complete. View the gallery below to take a look!

Wrapping Paper Cabinet. We add additional dowel rods for more wrapping paper and remove the shelf above. Anything is possible!
Example of a small transitional l-shaped vinyl floor home design design with a single-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, laminate countertops and gray walls

Staircase - farmhouse wooden straight metal railing staircase idea in Charlotte

Mid-sized trendy built-in desk medium tone wood floor and brown floor home office photo in San Francisco with white walls

Example of a beach style bedroom design in Los Angeles with blue walls and no fireplace

Example of a huge trendy formal and open concept light wood floor living room design in San Francisco

In the family room side of the space is a wine storage and display cabinet with additional integrated refrigeration below. A desk area next to that is followed by built in bunk beds offering a great space for over flow guests.....Photo by Jared Kuzia

This turreted château in Midway Hollow of Dallas features the stone, stucco and half-timber front authentic to the French countryside. The kitchen-dining-family room combination creates a large entertainment complex that opens out to the covered terrace, and extends up to the game room and theatre suite. Sumptuous master suite downstairs, three children’s bedrooms upstairs with homework loft to make sure schooling comes first! For more information call 214-750-8482 and visit www.livingbellavita.com.

Storage lockers in Laundry Room
Large danish u-shaped medium tone wood floor entryway photo in Chicago with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, quartz countertops, gray walls and a side-by-side washer/dryer

This project was a surprise makeover for a young man while he was away on a school trip. His designer mom chose the theme to high light his many interests.