Deck - traditional rooftop rooftop deck idea in New York with no cover

Blending a modern sensibility with traditional architecture, this garden features a front yard meadow with native grasses (Carex praecracilis) and wildflowers. Poured-in-place concrete pavers in a meandering pattern slow the approach from the sidewalk to the entry. The modest backyard has been maximized for entertaining with outdoor dining and seating areas. Native plants, herbs, and edibles share the back garden beds, and a raised pond brings the garden to life.

Todd Mason
Mountain style l-shaped eat-in kitchen photo in New York with a drop-in sink, medium tone wood cabinets, wood countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Ed Butera
Example of a classic blue tile freestanding bathtub design in Miami with a two-piece toilet and white walls

From Plain to Fabulous A great thing about building a new home is that you are starting fresh. Being a Florida decorator, many of our clients are moving from the Northern or Mid-West states. We advise them to leave their often dark, large pieces of traditional furniture behind and just bring pieces that have value to them whether sentimental or monetary. This dining room was a pleasure because it was a clean slate with large windows letting in the morning sun. The floors are hand-scraped engineered wood in Brazilian walnut which give the entire home a warm feel to counteract the stark white walls. The home owners have a large art collection and specifically chose the white paint so that the paintings can be seen at their best and moved around the home easily. The owners host many dinner parties throughout the year and wanted a table that was virtually indestructible, and that visitors didn’t have to be careful with. This long Mango wood trestle table comfortably seats between eight and ten and has an antique grey, distressed look that is similar to driftwood. We alternated turquoise and light blue dining chairs for some contrast. An outstanding centerpiece for the room is a dazzling grey chandelier with an outstanding display of brilliant graphite crystals. Hundreds of faceted crystals are suspended from ten fluted glass arms. Wall sconces in chrome with grey linen shades were added and all the lighting is on dimmers for a choice of bright or mood lighting depending on the required ambience. To control the harsh Florida sunlight that can leech color out of furnishings within weeks, we installed light grey Silhouette window shades which keep approximately 97% of harmful UV rays out but still let in light even when fully closed. Traversing draperies were installed floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall providing a spectacular color wall of cream, green, purple and turquoise. The hardware is hidden behind the crown moulding for a clean, modern look. The best part of this design story lies in the large-scale artwork. The home owner had been given the painting years ago when she lived in Philadelphia but the colors didn’t suit her Northern palette. The painting was hidden in the attic but during the move was crated and sent to Florida. After not seeing it for sixteen years she had forgotten what it looked like and when she saw the crate about to be off-loaded asked the removal crew to take it away. At the last minute she decided to look in the crate and was surprised and delighted to find the perfect artwork for her dining room! Lastly, hand-torn wallpaper was installed in a custom color in the tray ceiling. As this room is used for dinner parties, games and even casual dining we decided not to install a rug for ease of use and movement around the table. Photographer: Rolando Diaz

An unused small home office was transformed into haven in a suburban Texas home. For this space, function came first and the aesthetics were layered in. If a project does not meet its intended purpose, it is not successful. Incorporating the couples love of Argentina, bottle count, display appeal, case storage, and the ability to maintain a 55-degree environment were all design considerations. Specialized craftsman were hired to help with cooling, insulation, placement of the condenser, etc. An expert carpenter contributed his expert skills and knack for creating storage solutions. Strong beams were used to highlight the tiled ceiling and create an authentic grotto look. Pebble flooring adds to the Old World feel. Stone walls and herringbone ceiling lend an aged element. A medallion carefully selected from a little known source in Argentina is the centerpiece of the room; its pattern and color blends with the rest of the home’s decor and the inlaid glass tile adds shimmer. Double-paned iron and glass doors seal the room and create an entry of interest.

To create a colonial outdoor living space, we gut renovated this patio, incorporating heated bluestones, a custom traditional fireplace and bespoke furniture. The space was divided into three distinct zones for cooking, dining, and lounging. Firing up the built-in gas grill or a relaxing by the fireplace, this space brings the inside out.

Beach contemporary design featuring custom succulent wall planters, drought tolerant plants, permeable paving, fruit trees and outdoor rooms
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary partial sun backyard brick landscaping in Orange County.

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional partial sun backyard stone water fountain landscape in DC Metro for summer.

Atrium - AFTER
Deck - 1960s deck idea in San Francisco

When it comes to finding inspiration for your house or apartment design, there are a variety of routes you can take. For some, it is important to dive into the latest trends in fashion and art, using only the most popular decor pieces and embracing the color palettes seen on runways or in home and garden magazines. But for others, it’s simply about discovering what feels most like “home.” Ashley Steele, the creator of A Styled Affair, was part of the latter group. “Since my husband and I were moving into a space that was previously owned, I needed a way to make it feel like it was truly ours, and unique to us,” she told our team. A Styled Affair sprang from Ashley’s passion for fashion, and need for a creative outlet. But it soon became more than that. She developed a following, and it quickly became a place where she could share her personal style, travel adventures, and lifestyle tips. “While the blogging industry has become overwhelmed with people sharing their favorite home decor or make-up tips, I think what sets A Styled Affair apart is my commitment to stay true to my unique taste. I have always marched to the beat of my own drum – and that carries through in the clothes I wear, the decor I select for our home, and the travels I plan.” Paintzen connected with Ashley as she was settling into her new home in Boston’s Seaport District. Although she and her husband have lived in Boston for almost 8 years, they were used to smaller, more traditional spaces. Their new home is much bigger, and more modern, than any place they lived before. “I wanted to select colors of comfort, simplicity, and sophistication so we could elevate the space and make it feel more like a home.” Ashley also accurately pointed out that new construction can sometimes feel a little cold and sterile, almost industrial. “I wanted our home to feel like a peaceful oasis after coming in from the bustling city.” Ashley chose soft white paint for her walls to bring a sense of comfort and zen. With lots of wall decor, art work and carefully selected furniture, the walls serve as a clean and comfortable palette, and allowed her more freedom when making her other design decisions throughout the space. Ashley kept the overall palette fairly neutral, and incorporated “modern bohemian” inspired decor throughout the home; the final product was clean and simple, and catered to her style. We asked Ashley what she was most excited for now. “I’m most excited to continue to find new decor pieces to compliment the paint colors and decor we’ve already found for the space. We have been really patient with decorating and selected each piece really careful to make sure it is cohesive and flows from room to room. I’m looking forward to enjoying the space with my husband and dog, and entertaining friends and family in the spring and summer!” A few final questions for Ashley on her experience with Paintzen: “I would highly recommend Paintzen to anyone, especially those that live in the city. There are so many different paint companies and contractors to choose from but going through Paintzen simplified the process and made me feel comfortable that we had the right team working on our space. Their platform for booking services and choosing paint colors made the process seamless and was a great way to keep track of what we booked and chose for colors. Most importantly, the customer service team was outstanding whenever we had a question or needed to make an adjustment.” And advice she would give someone repainting their home: “Patience. I would recommend taking your time and doing your research before selecting paint colors. Lighting changes every color so make sure to bring paint swatches and samples into the space and look at it throughout the day to see the different tones that the light will pick up. I would also recommend researching color trends and recommendations for colors in the family you are looking for. We found our living room color through a blog post listing top-used colors by interior designers and it looks amazing.”

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional master matchstick tile and gray tile ceramic tile alcove shower remodel with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, gray walls, an undermount sink, solid surface countertops and gray countertops

Photo by Caitlin Atkinson
Photo of a modern landscaping in San Francisco.

Design ideas for a small tropical partial sun front yard mulch driveway in Miami.

Arriving at the other side of the bridge reveals another hidden gem, an approximately 17,000 sq. ft. pond. Although man made, it is thoughtfully designed and well integrated into the site as if it were part of the original landscape. Since its installation, it has become an inviting home to various species of wildlife - herons, frogs, other small birds and critters - a delight for the home owners. Compositions of rocks and stones in the forms of water falls and babbling brooks are strategically placed and weaved in to preserve the natural setting of the property, along with careful selections and placements of native and water plants as part of the design, while the white oak boardwalk meanders along the periphery. Sloan Architects P.C.

This is an example of a mid-sized tropical shade side yard mulch formal garden in Miami.

This spacious Master Bath was created by the carefully selected materials. From the traditional stand alone tub with deck mounted faucet to the hand made ceramic soft blue wall tile paired with a custom mosaic and beautiful window treatment - this is a great place to relax in!

Stoffer Photography
Mid-sized transitional freestanding desk carpeted and gray floor study room photo in Grand Rapids with multicolored walls and no fireplace

This custom outdoor living space was designed to transform the backyard into a true extension of the home — a comfortable, functional, and visually striking environment for year-round entertaining. The project features a handcrafted timber pavilion, spacious paver patio, integrated outdoor kitchen, and dedicated seating areas centered around a statement fireplace. Premium materials were selected for durability, low maintenance, and long-term performance in Alabama’s climate, while warm lighting and layered landscaping create a resort-like atmosphere both day and night. From initial concept and design through construction and finishing details, every element was carefully planned to maximize usability, comfort, and curb appeal. The result is a cohesive outdoor retreat that enhances property value while providing a stunning space for family gatherings, dining, and relaxation.