A compact Chatham home that was passed from one generation to the next. This cozy home was broken up into a couple rooms which didn't work for the new owners so we took down the wall that separated the dining room and entrance way into the kitchen so that room felt open and airy for the whole first floor. They maintained their original powder room and family room in the back of the home. The kitchen is now the heart of the home, with warm white tones and classic matte black and farmhouse fixtures.

Unique aquarium separating two rooms, open to both, with custom cabinetry of different finishes on each side.
Living room - rustic living room idea in Detroit

This 1980 split-level home had great bones, but the owners wanted to update the finishes and create a more family-friendly layout. We bumped out the front entry of the house by a couple of feet to allow more room to welcome guests and to take off shoes and coats. Replacing the banister and partial-height walls at the top of the stairs with steel and wood fixtures presents a more modern aesthetic that also allows more light to stream in. The formerly closed-off kitchen was opened up and updated to create a "Great Room," with a generous kitchen where the owner can comfortably indulge her passion for baking. The rest of the main floor was reconfigured to add functionality and space to the two kids’ bedrooms, improve the guest bathroom, and create a spacious master suite with a luxe master bathroom that features a walk-in shower, soaking tub, and separate toilet room. In the basement, the finishes were updated, and the floor plan was opened up to create a roomy space where the parents can relax and watch movies while keeping an eye on the children in their own play space. John G Wilbanks Photography.

The third-floor addition adds 660 sq ft above their existing main floor and accessed via a dedicated staircase between their girl’s rooms. At the top, you immediately enter into a sitting room that features a fireplace, room for a sofa and chair, and is perfect for enjoying a rainy winter day or serves as additional workspace should the couple need it. Just past the sitting room’s pocket doors is a large bedroom with plenty of room for bedroom furniture, side tables and nightstands, but the real draw is the covered Juliet balcony where the couple now relax on nice evenings. A ceiling patio heater is nestled into the cedar ceiling planks and makes the space habitable year-round, while Pebble Grey Trex decking keeps it low maintenance and looking good. An adjacent en-suite laundry room separates the primary bathroom and walk-in closet, allowing the couple to do laundry and put away clothing easily, without having to navigate stairs. The primary bathroom features a vanity with double sinks, large shower with dual showerheads, heated towel bar, toilet room, and soaking tub. Their primary suite addition offers sufficient space for sleeping, laundry and bathing, along with working options for these hardworking parents, as desired. The sitting room provides a fireplace and seating for a nightcap, or alternative work spot. Sam and Jenny’s home addition allowed them to fall in love with their home all over again.

2013 NKBA MEDIUM BATH When this young couple purchased their nearly 25-year-old colonial, the master bathroom was the first thing they wanted to change. Drab looking with worn out cabinets and a shower that was too small, it didn’t fit their modern vision for the space. Working with Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes, they came up with a plan to enlarge the bathroom, stealing space from the master bedroom. The new design includes a much larger shower, the addition of a walk-in shower and more. And the results are nothing less than stunning. A new, frameless glass shower stall is equipped with a steam unit, body sprays, rain shower head, and thermostatic valve and control. A double-sided fireplace overlooks a large whirlpool tub (also visible from the master bedroom). Modern wall hanger espresso finish vanities are topped with a marble top and his and her tumbled marble vessel sinks. Two tall linen cabinets bookend the vanity for additional storage. A recessed mirror with back lighting effect was also installed. Large 20” × 20” white marble floor and walls with dark metallic tile were placed on featured walls for added effects. The floors in both the bathroom and closet are heated. An enlarged doorway from bathroom to walk-in closet offers double French glass doors which are pocketed for better traffic flow. Built-in closet systems are his and hers with matching cherry espresso finish cabinetry covered by obscure glass doors and a touch pad lighting system. The middle island features shoe racks and tie and socks storage. Clean, streamlined and functional, the homeowners love this award-winning space.

Our clients wanted the ultimate modern farmhouse custom dream home. They found property in the Santa Rosa Valley with an existing house on 3 ½ acres. They could envision a new home with a pool, a barn, and a place to raise horses. JRP and the clients went all in, sparing no expense. Thus, the old house was demolished and the couple’s dream home began to come to fruition. The result is a simple, contemporary layout with ample light thanks to the open floor plan. When it comes to a modern farmhouse aesthetic, it’s all about neutral hues, wood accents, and furniture with clean lines. Every room is thoughtfully crafted with its own personality. Yet still reflects a bit of that farmhouse charm. Their considerable-sized kitchen is a union of rustic warmth and industrial simplicity. The all-white shaker cabinetry and subway backsplash light up the room. All white everything complimented by warm wood flooring and matte black fixtures. The stunning custom Raw Urth reclaimed steel hood is also a star focal point in this gorgeous space. Not to mention the wet bar area with its unique open shelves above not one, but two integrated wine chillers. It’s also thoughtfully positioned next to the large pantry with a farmhouse style staple: a sliding barn door. The master bathroom is relaxation at its finest. Monochromatic colors and a pop of pattern on the floor lend a fashionable look to this private retreat. Matte black finishes stand out against a stark white backsplash, complement charcoal veins in the marble looking countertop, and is cohesive with the entire look. The matte black shower units really add a dramatic finish to this luxurious large walk-in shower. Photographer: Andrew - OpenHouse VC

The wall separating the kitchen from the living room was removed, creating this beautiful open concept living area. The carpeting was replaced with hardwood in a dark stain, and the blue, grey and white rug create a welcoming area to lounge on the new sectional. Gugel Photography A couple living in Washington Township wanted to completely open up their kitchen, dining, and living room space, replace dated materials and finishes and add brand-new furnishings, lighting, and décor to reimagine their space. They were dreaming of a complete kitchen remodel with a new footprint to make it more functional, as their old floor plan wasn't working for them anymore, and a modern fireplace remodel to breathe new life into their living room area. Our first step was to create a great room space for this couple by removing a wall to open up the space and redesigning the kitchen so that the refrigerator, cooktop, and new island were placed in the right way to increase functionality and prep surface area. Rain glass tile backsplash made for a stunning wow factor in the kitchen, as did the pendant lighting added above the island and new fixtures in the dining area and foyer. Since the client's favorite color was blue, we sprinkled it throughout the space with a calming gray and white palette to ground the colorful pops. Wood flooring added warmth and uniformity, while new dining and living room furnishings, rugs, and décor created warm, welcoming, and comfortable gathering areas with enough seating to entertain guests. Finally, we replaced the fireplace tile and mantel with modern white stacked stone for a contemporary update.

This is a loft galley like apartment layout. View from in front of the kitchen to the other end of the apartment. There are two seating areas, one with a TV and the other is more of a reading area.

  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

Since the couple often both work in the kitchen at the same time, the space was separated into two zones: a prep area with the main sink and lots of countertop, and another area with the bar sink, warming drawer and microwave. Two large appliance garages hide the couple's many countertop items. Photo: Alimond Photography, Leesburg, VA

Example of a classic white floor single front door design with gray walls and a dark wood front door

This home renovation includes two separate projects that took five months each – a basement renovation and master bathroom renovation. The basement renovation created a sanctuary for the family – including a lounging area, pool table, wine storage and wine bar, workout room, and lower level bathroom. The space is integrated with the gorgeous exterior landscaping, complete with a pool overlooking the lake. The master bathroom renovation created an elegant spa like environment for the couple to enjoy. Additionally, improvements were made in the living room and kitchen to improve functionality and create a more cohesive living space for the family.

2013 NARI CAPITAL COTY, GRAND AWARD WINNER, RESIDENTIAL KTICHEN $80,001 -$120,000 This Old Town Alexandria home was ready for a major kitchen renovation. After 20 years of putting up with the dark, short cabinets and a dysfunctional traffic pattern and layout, the owners were ready to roll up their sleeves and throw this kitchen out the window. Design challenges include a peninsula that was too big for the space, appliance locations that were all over, a stackable washer and dryer in the middle of the kitchen and a lack of storage. The first step toward a remodeling solution was to move the washer and dryer to a new lower level laundry area. That created space for a new built-in refrigerator, microwave/oven cabinet, pantry and angular end cabinets. This move also created more room on the walls of kitchen for added cabinetry and countertops. The cook top was moved to one of the walls with a custom wood hood over it. Having removed the old bulkheads, there was space for taller cabinets and some glass front cabinetry (with inside lights) to display china. Large crown molding, along with big arched valances, legs and corbels made this brushed stoke custom cabinetry really stand out. A big knee wall and a middle post made the breakfast room too closed in and separated from adjacent family room. By installing a couple of structural beams, the space was opened up and dressed up with a large arch opening to replicate the front hall columns. Similarly, the front door separating the front hall to the kitchen was taken off, widened and then had the same panel arch treatment done. Now all the doorways in the home have a very classy, yet sophisticated detailed molding. A previously wasted corner area is now home to a custom hutch cabinet. The middle island, not only improved the traffic flow, but also dressed up this kitchen with its furniture look. The expansion of hardwood flooring, from the front hall into the kitchen and beyond, created a seamless transition to the entire first floor. Use of this highly custom brushed stroke glazed cabinetry in a soft vanilla tone complemented the uniqueness of a slab of granite. The light color tumbled marble backsplash made the glazing of this cabinetry stand out. The transformation of this kitchen was so incredible that no one believes the before photos.

This remodel project in Kirkland involved a new chef’s kitchen, updated family room and fully transformed bathrooms. The once dark and dated kitchen was completely reimagined by brightening the space, reconfiguring the island to create a larger and more usable cooking area and maximizing the storage throughout by adding custom floor-to-ceiling cabinetry. The transformed bathrooms find the perfect balance of design harmony and practicality through creative layout enhancements coupled with a charming modern farmhouse vibe.

There is still enough sun for an abundant and always evolving chef's garden. This raised bed has a separate irrigation system, as most edibles will need a little more water the rest of this garden.

Laundry Room in Log Cabin Home by Hochstetler Log Homes

The classic modern design of this kitchen was planned for an active young family of four who uses the space as their central hub for gathering, eating and staying connected. Our goals were to create a beautiful and highly functional kitchen with an emphasis on cabinet organization, heated floors and incorporating a live edge slab countertop. We removed an existing bulky island and replaced it with a new island that while only 60 x 26 in size packs a powerful punch housing a baking center, trash/recycle center, microwave oven and cookbook storage. The island seemed the natural place for the gorgeous live edge slab coupled with vintage mercury glass light pendants that make for a truly stunning kitchen island. Polished carrara quartz perimeter counters pair beautifully with the watery blue-green glass backsplash tile. A message center conveniently located on a side panel of the refrigerator cabinet houses built in mailboxes, a family calendar and magnetic surface to display the children’s artwork. We are pleased to have met the family’s goals and that they love their kitchen. Design mission accomplished! Photography by: Marcela Winspear