Pool house - huge country rectangular pool house idea in Other

Gorgeous traditional transformation living room featuring subtle modern touches. Dark green wall paint, light blue sectional sofa, beige swivel chairs, fun pillows, and stylish coastal decor lining a white built-in shelving unit featuring arched cut-out segment.

Large minimalist painted u-shaped mixed material railing staircase photo in Vancouver with painted risers

Traditional exterior home idea in Other

Mike Small
Design ideas for a large southwestern partial sun and desert front yard gravel landscaping in Phoenix.

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Lakefront property in the northwest suburbs of Chicago is hard to come by, so when we were hired by this young family with exactly that, we were immediately inspired by not just the unusually large footprint of this 1950’s colonial revival but also the lovely views of the manmade lake it was sited on. The large 5-bedroom home was solidly stuck in the 1980’s, but we saw tons of potential. We started out by updating the existing staircase with a fresh coat of paint and adding new herringbone slate to the entry hall. The powder room off the entryway also got a refresh - new flooring, new cabinets and fixtures. We ran the new slate right through into this space for some consistency. A fun wallpaper and shiplap trim add a welcoming feel and set the tone for the home. Next, we tackled the kitchen. Located away from the rest of the first floor, the kitchen felt a little isolated, so we immediately began planning for how to better connect it to the rest of the first floor. We landed on removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room and designed a modified galley style space with separate cooking and clean up zones. The cooking zone consists of the refrigerator, prep sink and cooktop, along with a nice long run of prep space at the island. The cleanup side of the kitchen consists of the main sink and dishwasher. Both areas are situated so that the user can view the lake during prep work and cleanup! One of the home’s main puzzles was how to incorporate the mudroom and area in front of the patio doors at the back of the house. We already had a breakfast table area, so the space by the patio doors was a bit of a no man’s land. We decided to separate the kitchen proper from what became the new mudroom with a large set of barn doors. That way you can quickly hide any mudroom messes but have easy access to the light coming in through the patio doors as well as the outdoor grilling station. We also love the impact the barn doors add to the overall space. The homeowners’ first words to us were “it’s time to ditch the brown,” so we did! We chose a lovely blue pallet that reflects the home’s location on the lake which is also vibrant yet easy on the eye. Countertops are white quartz, and the natural oak floor works well with the other honey accents. The breakfast table was given a refresh with new chairs, chandelier and window treatments that frame the gorgeous views of the lake out the back. We coordinated the slate mudroom flooring with that used in the home’s main entrance for a consistent feel. The storage area consists of open and closed storage to allow for some clutter control as needed. Next on our “to do” list was revamping the dated brown bar area in the neighboring dining room. We eliminated the clutter by adding some closed cabinets and did some easy updates to help the space feel more current. One snag we ran into here was the discovery of a beam above the existing open shelving that had to be modified with a smaller structural beam to allow for our new design to work. This was an unexpected surprise, but in the end we think it was well worth it! We kept the colors here a bit more muted to blend with the homeowner’s existing furnishings. Open shelving and polished nickel hardware add some simple detail to the new entertainment zone which also looks out onto the lake! Next we tackled the upstairs starting with the homeowner’s son’s bath. The bath originally had both a tub shower and a separate shower, so we decided to swap out the shower for a new laundry area. This freed up some space downstairs in what used to be the mudroom/laundry room and is much more convenient for daily laundry needs. We continued the blue palette here with navy cabinetry and the navy tile in the shower. Porcelain floor tile and chrome fixtures keep maintenance to a minimum while matte black mirrors and lighting add some depth the design. A low maintenance runner adds some warmth underfoot and ties the whole space together. We added a pocket door to the bathroom to minimize interference with the door swings. The left door of the laundry closet is on a 180 degree hinge to allow for easy full access to the machines. Next we tackled the master bath which is an en suite arrangement. The original was typical of the 1980’s with the vanity outside of the bathroom, situated near the master closet. And the brown theme continued here with multiple shades of brown. Our first move was to segment off the bath and the closet from the master bedroom. We created a short hall from the bedroom to the bathroom with his and hers walk-in closets on the left and right as well as a separate toilet closet outside of the main bathroom for privacy and flexibility. The original bathroom had a giant soaking tub with steps (dangerous!) as well as a small shower that did not work well for our homeowner who is 6’3”. With other bathtubs in the home, they decided to eliminate the tub and create an oversized shower which takes up the space where the old tub was located. The double vanity is on the opposite wall and a bench is located under the window for morning conversations and a place to set a couple of towels. The pallet in here is light and airy with a mix of blond wood, creamy porcelain and marble tile, and brass accents. A simple roman shade adds some texture and it’s top-down mechanism allows for light and privacy. This large whole house remodel gave our homeowners not only the ability to maximize the potential of their home but also created a lovely new frame from which to view their fabulous lake views. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

This main floor renovation was completed over the course of a year and focused on creating a more open, connected layout for a busy Kleinburg family of four and their two dogs, who love to entertain. The previous floor plan made gatherings feel segmented, so improving flow and functionality was key. The renovation included a new staircase, reconfigured walls, a custom kitchen, and a striking new fireplace feature wall. The clients wanted to transition from their traditional aesthetic to a timeless, transitional design that feels fresh yet classic. Natural materials and soft, earthy tones were incorporated throughout, including in the redesigned bathrooms, to maintain a cohesive and inviting atmosphere. The result is a warm, functional home that brings everyone together—just as our clients envisioned.

Hall Bathroom Designed for two growing daughters to share, the hall bathroom balances timeless style with smart functionality. Although the room has just one small window, a carefully curated palette of warm whites, marble, and soft color helps the space feel bright and open. Traditional details—including wall paneling, marble hex floor tile, pencil trim, and a pedestal sink—give the bathroom classic character while maintaining an airy feel. The same marble flooring continues into the shower to create visual continuity, making the room feel larger and less segmented. Storage was thoughtfully integrated wherever possible. A recessed built-in cabinet takes advantage of otherwise unused wall space, giving each daughter her own dedicated shelf for everyday essentials. A shallow ledge behind the pedestal sink provides additional storage while helping the room feel more open by aligning the sink wall with the shower enclosure. The finishing touch—a patterned wallpaper added late in the design process—brings warmth, depth, and personality without overwhelming the space.

Trendy home office photo in New York

Inspiration for a coastal bathroom remodel in Miami

Example of a beach style living room design in Miami

This main floor renovation was completed over the course of a year and focused on creating a more open, connected layout for a busy Kleinburg family of four and their two dogs, who love to entertain. The previous floor plan made gatherings feel segmented, so improving flow and functionality was key. The renovation included a new staircase, reconfigured walls, a custom kitchen, and a striking new fireplace feature wall. The clients wanted to transition from their traditional aesthetic to a timeless, transitional design that feels fresh yet classic. Natural materials and soft, earthy tones were incorporated throughout, including in the redesigned bathrooms, to maintain a cohesive and inviting atmosphere. The result is a warm, functional home that brings everyone together—just as our clients envisioned.

Kitchen - coastal kitchen idea in Miami

Originally built in 1989, this 4,100 SF Courtyard Villa and Guesthouse was in desperate need of some spring cleaning. Our team opened up the segmented home, cleared outdated materials and created an expansive indoor/outdoor living space. From the moment you walk through the double doors into the courtyard, there is a serene feeling from the pool featuring a waterfall looking through the house to the newly added rear patio with lush landscaping beyond.

Example of a beach style bathroom design in Miami

This main floor renovation was completed over the course of a year and focused on creating a more open, connected layout for a busy Kleinburg family of four and their two dogs, who love to entertain. The previous floor plan made gatherings feel segmented, so improving flow and functionality was key. The renovation included a new staircase, reconfigured walls, a custom kitchen, and a striking new fireplace feature wall. The clients wanted to transition from their traditional aesthetic to a timeless, transitional design that feels fresh yet classic. Natural materials and soft, earthy tones were incorporated throughout, including in the redesigned bathrooms, to maintain a cohesive and inviting atmosphere. The result is a warm, functional home that brings everyone together—just as our clients envisioned.

This main floor renovation was completed over the course of a year and focused on creating a more open, connected layout for a busy Kleinburg family of four and their two dogs, who love to entertain. The previous floor plan made gatherings feel segmented, so improving flow and functionality was key. The renovation included a new staircase, reconfigured walls, a custom kitchen, and a striking new fireplace feature wall. The clients wanted to transition from their traditional aesthetic to a timeless, transitional design that feels fresh yet classic. Natural materials and soft, earthy tones were incorporated throughout, including in the redesigned bathrooms, to maintain a cohesive and inviting atmosphere. The result is a warm, functional home that brings everyone together—just as our clients envisioned.

Bedroom - coastal bedroom idea in Miami

This main floor renovation was completed over the course of a year and focused on creating a more open, connected layout for a busy Kleinburg family of four and their two dogs, who love to entertain. The previous floor plan made gatherings feel segmented, so improving flow and functionality was key. The renovation included a new staircase, reconfigured walls, a custom kitchen, and a striking new fireplace feature wall. The clients wanted to transition from their traditional aesthetic to a timeless, transitional design that feels fresh yet classic. Natural materials and soft, earthy tones were incorporated throughout, including in the redesigned bathrooms, to maintain a cohesive and inviting atmosphere. The result is a warm, functional home that brings everyone together—just as our clients envisioned.