Old fixer-uppers often require two competing levels of priorities from their new homeowners. First and foremost is the need to immediately attend to those repairs that ensure the continued functioning and general well being of the house’s structure. By nature, these usually demand “house on fire!” status, especially when compared to other types of remodeling work that simply enhances aesthetics and general comfort. In the case of a Delaware couple, a structural issue with the front of their 125 year old Victorian (it was sinking!), along with some other more pressing challenges, put a 13 year long hold on getting the bathroom for which they had long dreamed. The shower enclosure features a base of hexagon patterned tile, bordered by marble subway tiles. The shower enclosure features a base of hexagon patterned tile, bordered by marble subway tiles. By the time Dave Fox Design Build Remodelers was hired to handle the construction, the couple certainly had put plenty of thought into converting a spare second-floor bedroom into the master bath. Courtney Burnett, Fox’s Interior Design Manager on the project, credits the owners for “having great creative minds, with lots of ideas to contribute.” By the time it came to put a formal design plan into place, the client “drove the look while we devised how the space would function.” It’s worth noting that there are drawbacks in being given too much time for advance planning. Owners’ tastes in design may change, while a steady stream of new fixtures and building products always demand consideration up to the last minute. “We had been collecting ideas for a while…pictures of what we liked, but as it turned out, when it came time to select fixtures, tile, etc., we used little from those pictures,” the owners admit. A framed herringbone pattern of subway tiles provides a perfect focal point for the shower. A framed herringbone pattern of subway tiles provides a perfect focal point for the shower. The finished bath exudes an art deco spirit that isn’t true to the home’s Victorian origins, which Burnett attributes to being more of a reflection of the homeowners’ preferences than the actual era of the structure. Despite that incongruity, everyone feels that they have remained true to the house by selecting vintage style elements, including subway tiles for the walls, hexagonal tile for the floors, and a pedestal sink that served as the focal point for the entire room. But as with all dreams, once one is achieved, a new one soon beckons. With the bathroom’s strikingly beautiful turquoise paint barely dry, the completion of that long-awaited project has served to kick-start plans for finishing off the remainder of the Victorian’s second floor.

Shane Baker
Inspiration for a large transitional l-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Phoenix with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and a farmhouse sink

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Informal dining and living area in the Great Room with wood beams on vaulted ceiling Photography: Garett + Carrie Buell of Studiobuell/ studiobuell.com.

Transitional dark wood floor kitchen photo in Other with shaker cabinets, white cabinets and an island

Inspiration for a cottage medium tone wood floor, brown floor and exposed beam breakfast nook remodel in DC Metro with gray walls

Inspiration for a transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen remodel in Orange County with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white backsplash, black appliances and an island

Photography Alexander Vertikoff
Inspiration for a mid-sized coastal dark wood floor living room remodel in Santa Barbara with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace

-The kitchen was isolated but was key to project’s success, as it is the central axis of the first level -The designers renovated the entire lower level to create a configuration that opened the kitchen to every room on lower level, except for the formal dining room -New double islands tripled the previous counter space and doubled previous storage -Six bar stools offer ample seating for casual family meals and entertaining -With a nod to the children, all upholstery in the Kitchen/ Breakfast Room are indoor/outdoor fabrics -Removing & shortening walls between kitchen/family room/informal dining allows views, a total house connection, plus the architectural changes in these adjoining rooms enhances the kitchen experience -Design aesthetic was to keep everything neutral with pops of color and accents of dark elements -Cream cabinetry contrasts with dark stain accents on the island, hood & ceiling beams -Back splash is over-scaled subway tile; pewter cabinetry hardware -Fantasy Brown granite counters have a "leather-ed" finish -The focal point and center of activity now stems from the kitchen – it’s truly the Heart of this Home. Galina Coada Photography

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Nathalie Priem Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room remodel in London with white walls

A transformed Kitchen. With custom shaker cabinets, encaustic tile floors, soapstone counters, and a butcher block island. Architectural photography by Bob Martus

Contemporary dining room featuring marble flooring. Picture courtesy of Phil Kean Designs, Design/Build
Example of a mid-sized trendy marble floor and beige floor great room design in Miami with gray walls

Example of a transitional master dark wood floor and tray ceiling bedroom design in Dallas with a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2014 Houzz Main living/dining room: Labor Day Design team: Huniford Design Studio
Example of a trendy beige floor living room design in New York with white walls

Example of a transitional kitchen design in Oklahoma City

Photo © Bruce Damonte
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