Search results for "School reading" in Home Design Ideas

Dale was chosen to participate in the 2013 Hampton Designer Showhouse, sponsored by Traditional Home Magazine, because she has built a reputation for precise, elegant, and livable design work in Manhattan. The challenge of the showhouse, essentially a blank canvas with an imaginary client, was not beyond her. The room she was given is the Terrace Level Lounge; she chose a program to embrace a burgeoning art collection, and devise areas of repose to enjoy the work. And Ms. Cohen’s early training as a painter and photographer clearly are clearly a great asset in this particular room. Her method is to analyze the room as an architectural proposition. A Yale Architectural School graduate, she is able to cast a few intelligent moves to make the room a stage rather than a hallway. Creating a platform for her creative collaboration and designing the Monumental Lantern with artist John Houshmand.
The seating areas are a series of compressed compositions with shapes and forms of chairs, a Minotti sofa, a Valerie Goodman Gallery coffee table, and the Holland and Sherry geometric throw pillows that evoke the early modernist paintings of Jean Arp. Accented by ceiling panels covered in a Maharam wallpaper. Her next big move was enrolling the work of artist and furniture maker John Houshmand. Ms. Cohen thrives on creative collaboration and designing the Monumental Lantern that with Houshmand, that she boldly placed in one entire corner of the room. Few designers would welcome a giant rough sawn luminaire but Ms. Cohen’s early apprenticeship with Richard Serra is evident in this wonderful juxtaposition of scale. Ms. Cohen’s reputation as a brave designer has been established with the inclusion of Houshmand’s piece.
Ms. Cohen’s method is to analyze the room as an architectural proposition. A Yale Architectural School graduate, she is able to cast a few intelligent moves to make the room a stage rather than a hallway. The stairway was divided into two events, one behind a scrim and the other revealed. This gave the sitting area a theatrical backdrop as well as choreographing a Hollywood-style entrance for the visitor walking down the stairs. In fact Ms. Cohen uses a series of fabric backdrops throughout the space to denote different spatial conditions.
The color palette, if said aloud, is the prototypical Hamptons beach house cheery; though Ms. Cohen’s take is altogether different. With a sea blue as her base, she treats the envelope of the space with tinted whites and grays, and just as you are comfortable with this resolve she infuses the space with drops of chartreuse. The optic shock of an electric green is a sign of strength in Ms. Cohen’s tool box. The result is a perfect balance of whimsy and sophistication.
Whimsy, bravery, and compositional sophistication will not be evident or sufficient without Ms. Cohen’s razor sharp rigor. Her attention to detail is what makes one want to sit in the Fritz Hansen chair, under the reading light, with cashmere throw at its side. Ms. Cohen’s embrace of the luxury of detail is what makes for valuable moments in the design world and what sets her work apart.

There are not many things better than a room full of your favourite people. As you gather you smell dinner cooking in the kitchen and music playing in the background, as joyful conversation and laughter fill the room. I feel so grateful that we are inching our way back to these days. How about you?
The project I’m sharing with you today has beautiful moments like these at its heart. Spaces that invite people in, foster connection, and make everyday living so simple that it’s impossible not to enjoy...
Meet our Delightful Clients:
The family behind this 1950s North Vancouver home transformation enjoy entertaining friends just as much as cosying up to watch a movie together. A professional couple (I'll call them Jon and Anna) with two elementary school-aged sons, Anna and Jon approached us with the task of furnishing the main floor living spaces and the basement of their family home.
Anna is a busy lawyer who is now working almost full time from home, and Jon works in the film industry. With full careers, two active boys, and a love of gathering, they craved a home that could support their everyday lifestyle.
Design and Lifestyle Goals:
Our central goal for this project was simple: to uncover the hidden potential in their home and create a family-friendly space that functioned well and flowed seamlessly.
On the main floor, our clients tasked us with creating an area for the family to relax and entertain, along with crafting a work and play space for the boys. They also dreamed of a more functional and bright basement, which they envisioned as a dual purpose family room and home office for Anna.
Reveal: Comfortable and Welcoming Entryway & Living Room:
Imagine you are coming home, and you walk through a bright, sunny front door like this one. You are met by this entryway of calming earth and sea tones, paired with warm, natural wood flooring. You feel instantly welcomed and eager to venture further inside... The same is now true for our clients!
The simple details in their entryway are thoughtfully arranged with clean lines and colourful art as the focal point, achieving a timeless and friendly aesthetic. Dried wheat brings movement into the space and plays up the beauty of nature, while the vibrant yet warm colours and textures evoke feelings of comfort and homecoming.
The entry flows seamlessly into this connected living area, which is adorned with ample seating strategically arranged to host and accommodate joyful conversations. With the fireplace and wood mantel as the focal point, these natural elements and hues warm up the room to make it feel beautifully lived-in (not like an untouchable museum).
Another colourful work of art graces the space above Jon’s and Anna’s sofa, and we used decorative pillows and a throw blanket to tempt those colours into the rest of the room. A simply styled coffee table keeps the space feeling open and engaged. Reading material, anyone?
Just beyond this living area, you get a glimpse of the second space our clients requested on their main floor...
A Collected Space for Children to Work + Play:
When Jon and Anna realised that their formal dining area wasn’t being used to its full potential, they imagined creating a work and play space for their boys instead. We came up with a plan to create a shared desk area with plentiful storage.
This timeless natural wood desk was the perfect way to maximise surface area and give the boys plenty of space to do homework during the school year, or spend time crafting or building LEGOs during the summers. The drawers provide storage for all the wonderful items that fuel their productivity or creativity. Or both.
I also love how the white floating shelves display a collection of nostalgic toys, providing just the right amount of childhood endearment to this sophisticated and functional space. This workspace now has endless possibilities for the boys, and it helps Jon and Anna keep their minds and spaces clear, too. Which brings us to...
Basement Family Room & Home Office:
In general, we knew we had to maximise surface area in this ‘50s home, and this was especially true for our clients’ basement. I’m happy to say that we designed an effortlessly comfortable space that focuses on family and makes it simple to settle in and work… or leave the workday behind.
Welcome to this dual-function office and family room. Toward the back of the room, we strategically positioned Anna’s wraparound desk facing out into the room and gave her a wallpaper-and-art backdrop for stunning Zoom calls (she has already received glowing compliments). There is plenty of storage for easy organization including a space to store the family’s shared printer near the door… so they don’t have to interrupt “Mom” to get to it.
Anna also wanted the freedom to be able to relax in this space with her family and turn her back on the work day — quite literally! The sofa is perfectly positioned backing onto the desk allowing her to do just that.
We relocated an existing mustard yellow chair and used pops of the same colour to integrate it into the overall scheme. The wood armrests on this modular sectional provide surfaces for snacks and drinks where there was no room for an end table. The walnut finish carries the theme of natural comfort from the upstairs spaces down into the family room.
The view from the sectional is less business and more pleasure, featuring cosy seating and throw pillows in cheerful colours and patterns.
The highlight of this space? A wallpapered accent wall where we were able to achieve the high-end feel of custom built-in shelving with a simple IKEA hack. The shelves and cabinetry around the television offer plenty of much needed storage space to house family games and movies at a budget price point.
This fun room is the perfect balance of work and play, accommodating and supporting our clients’ daily family adventures.
What Our Clients Had to Say...
Our clients could not be happier with their warm yet functional new rooms. With thoughtful consideration and a plan of action, we were able to transform two areas of their home into spaces that function well and feel good. In fact, they had this to say:
“Lori and her team were everything we were looking for: great listeners, wonderfully creative and highly professional. We couldn't be happier with our interior makeover.” — Clients
That is why we do what we do. If you're ready to start your redesign project, we would love to help. Reach out to us here, and let's get to know more about each other.

There are not many things better than a room full of your favourite people. As you gather you smell dinner cooking in the kitchen and music playing in the background, as joyful conversation and laughter fill the room. I feel so grateful that we are inching our way back to these days. How about you?
The project I’m sharing with you today has beautiful moments like these at its heart. Spaces that invite people in, foster connection, and make everyday living so simple that it’s impossible not to enjoy...
Meet our Delightful Clients:
The family behind this 1950s North Vancouver home transformation enjoy entertaining friends just as much as cosying up to watch a movie together. A professional couple (I'll call them Jon and Anna) with two elementary school-aged sons, Anna and Jon approached us with the task of furnishing the main floor living spaces and the basement of their family home.
Anna is a busy lawyer who is now working almost full time from home, and Jon works in the film industry. With full careers, two active boys, and a love of gathering, they craved a home that could support their everyday lifestyle.
Design and Lifestyle Goals:
Our central goal for this project was simple: to uncover the hidden potential in their home and create a family-friendly space that functioned well and flowed seamlessly.
On the main floor, our clients tasked us with creating an area for the family to relax and entertain, along with crafting a work and play space for the boys. They also dreamed of a more functional and bright basement, which they envisioned as a dual purpose family room and home office for Anna.
Reveal: Comfortable and Welcoming Entryway & Living Room:
Imagine you are coming home, and you walk through a bright, sunny front door like this one. You are met by this entryway of calming earth and sea tones, paired with warm, natural wood flooring. You feel instantly welcomed and eager to venture further inside... The same is now true for our clients!
The simple details in their entryway are thoughtfully arranged with clean lines and colourful art as the focal point, achieving a timeless and friendly aesthetic. Dried wheat brings movement into the space and plays up the beauty of nature, while the vibrant yet warm colours and textures evoke feelings of comfort and homecoming.
The entry flows seamlessly into this connected living area, which is adorned with ample seating strategically arranged to host and accommodate joyful conversations. With the fireplace and wood mantel as the focal point, these natural elements and hues warm up the room to make it feel beautifully lived-in (not like an untouchable museum).
Another colourful work of art graces the space above Jon’s and Anna’s sofa, and we used decorative pillows and a throw blanket to tempt those colours into the rest of the room. A simply styled coffee table keeps the space feeling open and engaged. Reading material, anyone?
Just beyond this living area, you get a glimpse of the second space our clients requested on their main floor...
A Collected Space for Children to Work + Play:
When Jon and Anna realised that their formal dining area wasn’t being used to its full potential, they imagined creating a work and play space for their boys instead. We came up with a plan to create a shared desk area with plentiful storage.
This timeless natural wood desk was the perfect way to maximise surface area and give the boys plenty of space to do homework during the school year, or spend time crafting or building LEGOs during the summers. The drawers provide storage for all the wonderful items that fuel their productivity or creativity. Or both.
I also love how the white floating shelves display a collection of nostalgic toys, providing just the right amount of childhood endearment to this sophisticated and functional space. This workspace now has endless possibilities for the boys, and it helps Jon and Anna keep their minds and spaces clear, too. Which brings us to...
Basement Family Room & Home Office:
In general, we knew we had to maximise surface area in this ‘50s home, and this was especially true for our clients’ basement. I’m happy to say that we designed an effortlessly comfortable space that focuses on family and makes it simple to settle in and work… or leave the workday behind.
Welcome to this dual-function office and family room. Toward the back of the room, we strategically positioned Anna’s wraparound desk facing out into the room and gave her a wallpaper-and-art backdrop for stunning Zoom calls (she has already received glowing compliments). There is plenty of storage for easy organization including a space to store the family’s shared printer near the door… so they don’t have to interrupt “Mom” to get to it.
Anna also wanted the freedom to be able to relax in this space with her family and turn her back on the work day — quite literally! The sofa is perfectly positioned backing onto the desk allowing her to do just that.
We relocated an existing mustard yellow chair and used pops of the same colour to integrate it into the overall scheme. The wood armrests on this modular sectional provide surfaces for snacks and drinks where there was no room for an end table. The walnut finish carries the theme of natural comfort from the upstairs spaces down into the family room.
The view from the sectional is less business and more pleasure, featuring cosy seating and throw pillows in cheerful colours and patterns.
The highlight of this space? A wallpapered accent wall where we were able to achieve the high-end feel of custom built-in shelving with a simple IKEA hack. The shelves and cabinetry around the television offer plenty of much needed storage space to house family games and movies at a budget price point.
This fun room is the perfect balance of work and play, accommodating and supporting our clients’ daily family adventures.
What Our Clients Had to Say...
Our clients could not be happier with their warm yet functional new rooms. With thoughtful consideration and a plan of action, we were able to transform two areas of their home into spaces that function well and feel good. In fact, they had this to say:
“Lori and her team were everything we were looking for: great listeners, wonderfully creative and highly professional. We couldn't be happier with our interior makeover.” — Clients
That is why we do what we do. If you're ready to start your redesign project, we would love to help. Reach out to us here, and let's get to know more about each other.
Find the right local pro for your project

Like Cinderella, this unfinished room over the garage was transofmred to this stunning in-home school room. Built-in desks configured from KraftMaid cabinets provide an individual workspace for the teacher (mom!) and students. The group activity area with table and bench seating serves as an area for arts and crafts. The comfortable sofa is the perfect place to curl up with a book.

Interior Designer: MOTIV Interiors LLC
Photographer: Sam Angel Photography
Design Challenge: This 8 year-old boy and girl were outgrowing their existing setup and needed to update their rooms with a plan that would carry them forward into middle school and beyond. In addition to gaining storage and study areas, could these twins show off their big personalities? Absolutely, we said! MOTIV Interiors tackled the rooms of these youngsters living in Nashville's 12th South Neighborhood and created an environment where the dynamic duo can learn, create, and grow together for years to come.
Design Solution:
In his room, we wanted to continue the feature wall fun, but with a different approach. Since our young explorer loves outer space, being a boy scout, and building with legos, we created a dynamic geometric wall that serves as the backdrop for our young hero’s control center. We started with a neutral mushroom color for the majority of the walls in the room, while our feature wall incorporated a deep indigo and sky blue that are as classic as your favorite pair of jeans. We focused on indoor air quality and used Sherwin Williams’ Duration paint in a satin sheen, which is a scrubbable/no-VOC coating.
We wanted to create a great reading corner, so we placed a comfortable denim lounge chair next to the window and made sure to feature a self-portrait created by our young client. For night time reading, we included a super-stellar floor lamp with white globes and a sleek satin nickel finish. Metal details are found throughout the space (such as the lounge chair base and nautical desk clock), and lend a utilitarian feel to the room. In order to balance the metal and keep the room from feeling too cold, we also snuck in woven baskets that work double-duty as decorative pieces and functional storage bins.
The large north-facing window got the royal treatment and was dressed with a relaxed roman shade in a shiitake linen blend. We added a fabulous fabric trim from F. Schumacher and echoed the look by using the same fabric for the bolster on the bed. Royal blue bedding brings a bit of color into the space, and is complimented by the rich chocolate wood tones seen in the furniture throughout. Additional storage was a must, so we brought in a glossy blue storage unit that can accommodate legos, encyclopedias, pinewood derby cars, and more!
Comfort and creativity converge in this space, and we were excited to get a big smile when we turned it over to its new commander.

This relaxing reading nook was a must have to the client. We had her special vintage side table refurbished and refinished. We added a beach flair with the shutter media console and the shutter mirror. The coral print fabric on the beach club chair and the beach ottoman adds to the ambiance of the space. How wonderful is the school of fish rug which brings a delightful whimsical feeling. Using the clients inspirational beautiful beach artwork was a must.

Interior Designer: MOTIV Interiors LLC
Photographer: Sam Angel Photography
Design Challenge: This 8 year-old boy and girl were outgrowing their existing setup and needed to update their rooms with a plan that would carry them forward into middle school and beyond. In addition to gaining storage and study areas, could these twins show off their big personalities? Absolutely, we said! MOTIV Interiors tackled the rooms of these youngsters living in Nashville's 12th South Neighborhood and created an environment where the dynamic duo can learn, create, and grow together for years to come.
Design Solution:
In his room, we wanted to continue the feature wall fun, but with a different approach. Since our young explorer loves outer space, being a boy scout, and building with legos, we created a dynamic geometric wall that serves as the backdrop for our young hero’s control center. We started with a neutral mushroom color for the majority of the walls in the room, while our feature wall incorporated a deep indigo and sky blue that are as classic as your favorite pair of jeans. We focused on indoor air quality and used Sherwin Williams’ Duration paint in a satin sheen, which is a scrubbable/no-VOC coating.
We wanted to create a great reading corner, so we placed a comfortable denim lounge chair next to the window and made sure to feature a self-portrait created by our young client. For night time reading, we included a super-stellar floor lamp with white globes and a sleek satin nickel finish. Metal details are found throughout the space (such as the lounge chair base and nautical desk clock), and lend a utilitarian feel to the room. In order to balance the metal and keep the room from feeling too cold, we also snuck in woven baskets that work double-duty as decorative pieces and functional storage bins.
The large north-facing window got the royal treatment and was dressed with a relaxed roman shade in a shiitake linen blend. We added a fabulous fabric trim from F. Schumacher and echoed the look by using the same fabric for the bolster on the bed. Royal blue bedding brings a bit of color into the space, and is complimented by the rich chocolate wood tones seen in the furniture throughout. Additional storage was a must, so we brought in a glossy blue storage unit that can accommodate legos, encyclopedias, pinewood derby cars, and more!
Comfort and creativity converge in this space, and we were excited to get a big smile when we turned it over to its new commander.

Sponsored
Sunbury, OH
J.Holderby - Renovations
Franklin County's Leading General Contractors - 2X Best of Houzz!

Interior Designer: MOTIV Interiors LLC
Photographer: Sam Angel Photography
Design Challenge: This 8 year-old boy and girl were outgrowing their existing setup and needed to update their rooms with a plan that would carry them forward into middle school and beyond. In addition to gaining storage and study areas, could these twins show off their big personalities? Absolutely, we said! MOTIV Interiors tackled the rooms of these youngsters living in Nashville's 12th South Neighborhood and created an environment where the dynamic duo can learn, create, and grow together for years to come.
Design Solution:
In his room, we wanted to continue the feature wall fun, but with a different approach. Since our young explorer loves outer space, being a boy scout, and building with legos, we created a dynamic geometric wall that serves as the backdrop for our young hero’s control center. We started with a neutral mushroom color for the majority of the walls in the room, while our feature wall incorporated a deep indigo and sky blue that are as classic as your favorite pair of jeans. We focused on indoor air quality and used Sherwin Williams’ Duration paint in a satin sheen, which is a scrubbable/no-VOC coating.
We wanted to create a great reading corner, so we placed a comfortable denim lounge chair next to the window and made sure to feature a self-portrait created by our young client. For night time reading, we included a super-stellar floor lamp with white globes and a sleek satin nickel finish. Metal details are found throughout the space (such as the lounge chair base and nautical desk clock), and lend a utilitarian feel to the room. In order to balance the metal and keep the room from feeling too cold, we also snuck in woven baskets that work double-duty as decorative pieces and functional storage bins.
The large north-facing window got the royal treatment and was dressed with a relaxed roman shade in a shiitake linen blend. We added a fabulous fabric trim from F. Schumacher and echoed the look by using the same fabric for the bolster on the bed. Royal blue bedding brings a bit of color into the space, and is complimented by the rich chocolate wood tones seen in the furniture throughout. Additional storage was a must, so we brought in a glossy blue storage unit that can accommodate legos, encyclopedias, pinewood derby cars, and more!
Comfort and creativity converge in this space, and we were excited to get a big smile when we turned it over to its new commander.

This aquarium is 225 gallons with a lengths of 36", width of 30" and height of 48". The filtration system is housed in the matching cabinet below the aquarium and is lit with LED lighting.
Location- Garland, Texas
Year Completed- 2013
Project Cost- $8000.00

After school tutoring can be tiresome, so our aim was to utilize uplifting colors to increase productivity in the home office.
PC: Robert Hatch
Example of a small minimalist freestanding desk medium tone wood floor study room design in San Francisco with white walls
Example of a small minimalist freestanding desk medium tone wood floor study room design in San Francisco with white walls

Located in Palo Alto's flood zone, this Eichler home underwent a phased renovation thoughtfully redesigned to accommodate a growing family of five, with an emphasis on school proximity and nearby grandparents. The bedroom wing was completely reconfigured, including a new front addition as a guest suite for grandparents, expanding the house to five bedrooms and three baths. Taller 9-foot ceilings were introduced in some areas, enhancing the overall openness—a lofty goal for an Eichler.
The tranquil courtyard, a favorite spot for the family, was redesigned to allow parents to watch the kids while cooking. The backyard became a relaxing lounging area connected to the living room. Once dark living spaces were modernized by removing a low-hanging beam in the kitchen, adding skylights for natural light, and eliminating the fireplace to create a more functional entertainment space. Finally, new landscaping reflecting the client's heritage and some of the home's architectural elements, creates a harmonious indoor-outdoor flow.
Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf, AIA and Angela Alexander
Interior Architecture: Klopf Architecture
Bathroom Materials and Light Fixture Selection: Lucile Glessner
Landscape Architect: Thuilot and Associates
Photography: ©2024 Mariko Reed
Year Completed: 2024
Location: Palo Alto, CA

A sophisticated bedroom design for a young woman, heading off to college who wanted to make her room a respite from the pressure of school.
Bedroom - small transitional dark wood floor and brown floor bedroom idea in San Francisco with white walls
Bedroom - small transitional dark wood floor and brown floor bedroom idea in San Francisco with white walls

The Desk is part of the “Champion GTI Racer” edition of Turbo Beds. This desk has displays and panels with a look of a sports car dashboard and gives the feel of sitting behind a steering wheel.
• Dynamic desktop sports life-like dashboard gauges, speedometer & air vents
• Faux windshield has view of scenic mountain lake roadway mural
• Shatterproof acrylic "side windows" accent upper unit side panels
• Divided slim drawer organizes school supplies
• One (1) slim shelf above desktop & one(1) open shelf with three (3) sections above
• One (1) upper cabinet door w/dampening hinges offers conceals storage
• Black racing wheel knobs on cabinet door
• Top shelf showcases special treasures & trophies
• Three (3) drawers with chrome-life pulls store & diagonal stripes
• Cargo mesh pocket on lower left side secures magazines & reading materials
• Glossy red & black exterior has faux car exhaust flame decals on side panels
• 5 – year warranty

SeaThru is a new, waterfront, modern home. SeaThru was inspired by the mid-century modern homes from our area, known as the Sarasota School of Architecture.
This homes designed to offer more than the standard, ubiquitous rear-yard waterfront outdoor space. A central courtyard offer the residents a respite from the heat that accompanies west sun, and creates a gorgeous intermediate view fro guest staying in the semi-attached guest suite, who can actually SEE THROUGH the main living space and enjoy the bay views.
Noble materials such as stone cladding, oak floors, composite wood louver screens and generous amounts of glass lend to a relaxed, warm-contemporary feeling not typically common to these types of homes.
Photos by Ryan Gamma Photography

Example of a mid-sized beach style master light wood floor bedroom design in Orange County with beige walls

Sponsored
Sunbury, OH
J.Holderby - Renovations
Franklin County's Leading General Contractors - 2X Best of Houzz!

Bunk Beds for Three
Inspiration for a contemporary bedroom remodel in Minneapolis
Inspiration for a contemporary bedroom remodel in Minneapolis

New Second Story Dormers, Roof, Windows and Siding.
Example of a beach style exterior home design in Portland Maine
Example of a beach style exterior home design in Portland Maine

Inspiration for a mid-sized eclectic formal and open concept dark wood floor and brown floor living room remodel in Orange County with white walls
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