DESIGNED BY TOC design CONSTRUCTION BY TOC design & Construction inc. PHOTOS BY : Tania Scardellato I was fortunate to have a young family approach me in desperate need to renovate there only 3 piece bathroom. This space was In dire need of a remodel, with old brown wall to wall tiles and a dated bulky yellow brown single sink vanity. Storage was a must, lighting a necessity, and proper accessibility to the shower bath area. We had a tight budget to respect, but a full gut of this bathroom was required. And a good thing too, once we started doing the demolition we noticed that mildew and rotting floors and walls had accumulated throughout the years. Doing it right the first time is no joke when dealing with water and electrical issues. We discarded all reminisce of old and built from scratch, new walls, new plumbing, new electrical ,new insulation and a new window, a new fan that actually exhausted outside ( I say this laughing as you would be amazed at how many fans are installed but don’t exhaust outside, and you the client would never know unless you go inside the attic space. Once all the hard stuff was done, the rest is just a matter of smart design. If you have a small bathroom here are some tips to guide you. 10 tips for making a small bathroom feel larger Is your tiny bathroom cramping your functionality and style, leaving you longing for the enormous bathrooms gracing the pages of design magazines? Even if your bathroom is a fraction of the size, all it takes is some design savvy to make the most of the space you have. Consider these 10 smart tips that will help your bathroom look, feel and function like those larger contenders. 1-Get creative with corners Space is at a premium in small bathrooms, so it's important to maximize every inch. Corners, for example, provide extra space for shelving, storage units and even hooks. Get creative and install unique design solutions that are not only functional, but also eye-catching. If you love the airiness of floating cabinets, add baskets or decorative boxes under for extra storage. If you are installing floating cabinets insure that they are installed securely to studs or plywood at wall. 2- Let solid colors shine Busy patterns have a shrinking effect and make small bathrooms seem even smaller. Conversely, light natural hues make a space feel more open. If you're itching to get creative with design, experiment with textures but keep overpowering patterns to a minimum. Tone on tone is the best to achieve this. 3 - Maximize your bathtub A bathtub takes up a significant portion of the room, but modern, compact options with curved basins, can make the tub feel larger when in use, all while conserving space. 4 - Select a smaller faucet A faucet is jewelry for the bathroom. And just as accessories can overpower an outfit, a big bulky faucet isn't flattering in a small bath. Single-handle designs conserve counter space, while a wall-mount installation frees it up all together and can create quite the wow-factor, if the budget can accommodate the required changes to plumbing behind the wall. 5 - Make vanity storage simple If you're in a storage war with your small bathroom, you're not alone in the battle. Toiletries and personal supplies without a place to call home only add clutter and chaos. Store smart with a space-saving vanity, the dual sink vanity shown here, looks quite simple, but in reality it has 4 sets of full extension drawers, and the vanity tower adds extra storage without overpowering the use of space. 6 - Show off the shower Shower curtains may be pretty, but they interrupt the visual flow of a bathing space and make it feel significantly smaller. In bathrooms with small footprints, opt for a clear glass sliding shower door that doesn't require the clearance of one with a hinged design. Or as shown in this design and for fraction less expensive a half hinged panel installed on a fixed tempered glass panel. If you're embarking on a big remodel, create the illusion of more space by using same tile in the shower that's used throughout; instead of seeing them as two separate zones, the eye will read them as one. 7 - Discover the treasure of hidden storage Work with a contractor, and you just might find some serious storage potential hidden behind your walls. Whether it's utilizing space between the studs for shallow shelving or a creating a small linen closet by annexing space from an adjacent room, even small additions can make a big difference. 8 - Focal Point Tile is a beautiful, durable addition to any bathroom. For dainty spaces, consider installing tile at a diagonal to accentuate the focal point or as in this bathroom I used an oversized textured pattern to bring depth to the space at the window wall. 9 - Choose the right lights Strategically install light to reflect and brighten a small bathroom to make it appear larger. Recessed lighting is an affordable solution for tiny rooms, offering ample light while taking up little space. Wall sconces alongside a mirror also reflect off the walls and make a room feel bright and airy. I always recommend going with LED lighting at 2800 to 3000K. 10 – Accessorize This is your time to shine in your decorating skills, have fun with your towels, you can change the color scheme daily just by adding pops of color in your accessories, make sure to get items that serve a dual purpose, like baskets, boxes they can always be used as hampers, storing of towels and even a nice display for your guest.

Fall container garden Le jardinet
Inspiration for a landscaping in Seattle.

Broadleaf stonecrop / Sedum Spathulifolium
Photo of a landscaping in Austin.

Don't be afraid to 'think outside of the box' when you're designing your new deck. Today's decks can be any shape or configuration you can dream up. An eye-catching octagonal-shaped entertaining area is what makes this space unique. Flared staircases at either end of the deck enable easy access to the play area and create welcoming entries for guests. Fiberon Horizon composite decking in 'Ipe' was selected as the main deck color, complemented by a darker Horizon 'Rosewood' border. Fiberon Horizon white railing and black round metal balusters were also used to provide dramatic visual appeal. Fiberon's low-voltage, LED post cap accent lights were added so this outdoor space can be enjoyed even after the sun goes down.

Floating walnut shelves store dishware and add a focal point to the kitchen. Andrea Rugg Photography
Example of a mid-sized minimalist light wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen design in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Anice Hoachlander, Hoachlander Davis Photography
Inspiration for a large 1950s open concept light wood floor and beige floor family room remodel in DC Metro with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Exterior of home from the north side. This shows the side gables and their size. While far from imposing, they offer a large upstairs space because of the original roof height. A soft green palette harmonizes with the parkside setting. Photography by Josh Vick

Trendy living room photo in Houston

The entry foyer sets the tone for this Florida home. A collection of black and white artwork adds personality to this brand new home. A star pendant light casts beautiful shadows in the evening and a mercury glass lamp adds a soft glow. We added a large brass tray to corral clutter and a duo of concrete vases make the entry feel special. The hand knotted rug in an abstract blue, gray, and ivory pattern hints at the colors to be found throughout the home.

Kim Grant, Architect; Gail Owens, Photographer
Example of a transitional u-shaped dark wood floor eat-in kitchen design in San Diego with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Photo by: Mike P Kelley Styling by: Jennifer Maxcy, hoot n anny home
Inspiration for a timeless living room remodel in Los Angeles

First home, savvy art owners, decided to hire RBD to design their recently purchased two story, four bedroom, midcentury Diamond Heights home to merge their new parenthood and love for entertaining lifestyles. Hired two months prior to the arrival of their baby boy, RBD was successful in installing the nursery just in time. The home required little architectural spatial reconfiguration given the previous owner was an architect, allowing RBD to focus mainly on furniture, fixtures and accessories while updating only a few finishes. New paint grade paneling added a needed midcentury texture to the entry, while an existing site for sore eyes radiator, received a new walnut cover creating a built-in mid-century custom headboard for the guest room, perfect for large art and plant decoration. RBD successfully paired furniture and art selections to connect the existing material finishes by keeping fabrics neutral and complimentary to the existing finishes. The backyard, an SF rare oasis, showcases a hanging chair and custom outdoor floor cushions for easy lounging, while a stylish midcentury heated bench allows easy outdoor entertaining in the SF climate. Photography Credit: Scott Hargis Photography

View of the new addition on this Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin home. The first floor section of the addition contains the mudroom for the rear entry and a family room. The S.J. Janis Company added a master suite on the second floor for added space for the homeowners. The addition seamlessly integrates into the existing cream city brick home and adds much needed space to this family of four.

At roughly 1,600 sq.ft. of existing living space, this modest 1971 split level home was too small for the family living there and in need of updating. Modifications to the existing roof line, adding a half 2nd level, and adding a new entry effected an overall change in building form. New finishes inside and out complete the alterations, creating a fresh new look. The sloping site drops away to the east, resulting in incredible views from all levels. From the clean, crisp interior spaces expansive glazing frames the VISTA.

This design / build project in Los Angeles, CA. focused on a couple’s master bathroom. There were multiple reasons that the homeowners decided to start this project. The existing skylight had begun leaking and there were function and style concerns to be addressed. Previously this dated-spacious master bathroom had a large Jacuzzi tub, sauna, bidet (in a water closet) and a shower. Although the space was large and offered many amenities they were not what the homeowners valued and the space was very compartmentalized. The project also included closing off a door which previously allowed guests access to the master bathroom. The homeowners wanted to create a space that was not accessible to guests. Painted tiles featuring lilies and gold finishes were not the style the homeowners were looking for. Desiring something more elegant, a place where they could pamper themselves, we were tasked with recreating the space. Chief among the homeowners requests were a wet room with free standing tub, floor-mounted waterfall tub filler, and stacked stone. Specifically they wanted the stacked stone to create a central visual feature between the shower and tub. The stacked stone is Limestone in Honed Birch. The open shower contrasts the neighboring stacked stone with sleek smooth large format tiles. A double walnut vanity featuring crystal knobs and waterfall faucets set below a clearstory window allowed for adding a new makeup vanity with chandelier which the homeowners love. The walnut vanity was selected to contrast the light, white tile. The bathroom features Brizo and DXV.

John Evans

Aluminum fence and gate - designed & installed by Dakota Unlimited.
Photo of a large transitional backyard metal fence landscaping in Minneapolis.

New skylights are double insulated with safety glass. The challenge was the technical work required to install a vaulted skylight. All new trims, baseboards and doors in the redone living room. All new, modern lighting was installed. Heated du chateau flooring was added. Bruce Damonte Photography

Waterfall. Photo: Bilyana Dimitrova
This is an example of a large modern full sun rooftop water fountain landscape in New York with decking.