Tom Harper
Example of a transitional multicolored tile powder room design in Miami with a vessel sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets and gray countertops

Weathered wood panels and barn-style additions, make this master bathroom's appearance simulate an old western outhouse. Produced By: PrecisionCraft Log & Timber Homes Photo Cred: Heidi Long, Longview Studios

Inspiration for a mediterranean bedroom remodel in Austin

Windsor Select Limestone Veneer - Sanded Wash Finish Photo: Russell Abraham Photography
Example of a minimalist backyard pool design in Houston with a bbq area

Example of a beach style home office design in Atlanta

Example of a large country medium tone wood floor great room design in Boston with white walls

Emily Followill
Mid-sized transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor enclosed kitchen photo in Atlanta with beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, gray backsplash, an island, a farmhouse sink, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and marble countertops

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.”

Kitchen with ceramic tile backsplash, hardwood flooring, and white cabinetry. Tile and flooring provided and installed by Natural Selections.
Example of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen design in Dallas with an undermount sink, white cabinets, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, an island, shaker cabinets and black countertops

David Duncan Livingston
Inspiration for a large coastal dark wood floor kitchen/dining room combo remodel in San Francisco

Trendy medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room photo in San Francisco with pink walls

Example of a beach style blue tile mosaic tile floor, multicolored floor and single-sink bathroom design in Tampa with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, gray countertops, a niche and a built-in vanity

Photography by Giovanni.
Beach style kids' blue tile and glass tile ceramic tile bathroom photo in Miami with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets and blue walls

The original Family Room was half the size with heavy dark woodwork everywhere. A major refresh was in order to lighten, brighten, and expand. The custom cabinetry drawings for this addition were a beast to finish, but the attention to detail paid off in spades. One of the first decor items we selected was the wallpaper in the Butler’s Pantry. The green in the trees offset the white in a fresh whimsical way while still feeling classic. Cincinnati area home addition and remodel focusing on the addition of a Butler’s Pantry and the expansion of an existing Family Room. The Interior Design scope included custom cabinetry and custom built-in design and drawings, custom fireplace design and drawings, fireplace marble selection, Butler’s Pantry countertop selection and cut drawings, backsplash tile design, plumbing selections, and hardware and shelving detailed selections. The decor scope included custom window treatments, furniture, rugs, lighting, wallpaper, and accessories.

Example of a french country family room design in DC Metro

Shane Leblanc
Inspiration for a rustic round aboveground pool remodel in Other

This elegant and serene master bedroom retreat utilizes neutral tomes in grey, white and ivory. Photo by Fernando De Los Santos
Inspiration for a mid-sized coastal master dark wood floor and brown floor bedroom remodel in Dallas with gray walls and no fireplace

Eric Roth Photography, Liz Caan Interiors
Farmhouse screened-in porch idea in Boston

Mixed use seating with French grey custom finished table. Gunmetal Island base with vintage European inspired Island pendants. Custom stainless steel oven hood, Opalescent tile backsplash and a leaded glass transom. Carlson Productions, LLC