Our clients wanted to utilize this particular area of their home and really give it a function. It has been many things over the years: bonus room, dining area, etc. The kitchen is the natural gathering spot. They wanted to create a space that was an extension of the kitchen for entertaining and serving family and friends. Architect, Cynthia Karegeannes was hired to draw up plans for a mudroom to corral the couple’s two dogs and stash the pet’s leashes, treats, etc. A large butler pantry was imagined with a full size refrigerator, prep sink, dishwasher and custom cabinetry to have items handy for entertaining. Innovative Construction, helped finalize the details and implemented the plans for the new addition. Interior Designer, Beth Weltlich with The House Dressing worked with homeowners, to select materials and finishes to unify the areas of the existing kitchen and the new spaces. A custom banquette was created with room under the staircase so that all of the space could be utilized. Furniture and accessories are still in the works as the homeowners let the area evolve to see exactly what their needs are. A collaborative effort-for sure! The challenges included creating three separate areas (mudroom, banquette and butler pantry) with storage and versatility in one existing space. Having this additional space that was not always utilized, the homeowners feel the new addition will become an integral part of the families' living area.

A coastal oasis in New Jersey. This project was for a house with no master bathroom. The couple thought how great it would be to have a master suite that encompassed a luxury bath, walk-in closet, laundry room, and breakfast bar area. We did it. Coastal themed master suite starting with a luxury bathroom adorned in shiplap and wood-plank tile floor. The vanity offers lots of storage with drawers and countertop cabinets. Freestanding bathtub overlooks the bay. The large walkin tile shower is beautiful. Separate toilet area offers privacy which is nice to have in a bedroom suite concept.

A young Skokie couple needed home remodeling ideas to accommodate their four growing children. A second story addition doubled the space of their ranch-style home, creating four bedrooms upstairs and combining smaller rooms into a spacious living area on the first floor. This custom home renovation features faucets, sinks, and tubs by Kohler® and ceramic tile by Daltile®. The exterior was updated with a rustic stone façade, cherry wood accents, and a copper roof.

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   The homeowners came to us looking to update the kitchen in their historic 1897 home. The home had gone through an extensive renovation several years earlier that added a master bedroom suite and updates to the front façade. The kitchen however was not part of that update and a prior 1990’s update had left much to be desired. The client is an avid cook, and it was just not very functional for the family. The original kitchen was very choppy and included a large eat in area that took up more than its fair share of the space. On the wish list was a place where the family could comfortably congregate, that was easy and to cook in, that feels lived in and in check with the rest of the home’s décor. They also wanted a space that was not cluttered and dark – a happy, light and airy room. A small powder room off the space also needed some attention so we set out to include that in the remodel as well. See that arch in the neighboring dining room? The homeowner really wanted to make the opening to the dining room an arch to match, so we incorporated that into the design. Another unfortunate eyesore was the state of the ceiling and soffits. Turns out it was just a series of shortcuts from the prior renovation, and we were surprised and delighted that we were easily able to flatten out almost the entire ceiling with a couple of little reworks. Other changes we made were to add new windows that were appropriate to the new design, which included moving the sink window over slightly to give the work zone more breathing room. We also adjusted the height of the windows in what was previously the eat-in area that were too low for a countertop to work. We tried to keep an old island in the plan since it was a well-loved vintage find, but the tradeoff for the function of the new island was not worth it in the end. We hope the old found a new home, perhaps as a potting table. 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

Our clients wanted to utilize this particular area of their home and really give it a function. It has been many things over the years: bonus room, dining area, etc. The kitchen is the natural gathering spot. They wanted to create a space that was an extension of the kitchen for entertaining and serving family and friends. Architect, Cynthia Karegeannes was hired to draw up plans for a mudroom to corral the couple’s two dogs and stash the pet’s leashes, treats, etc. A large butler pantry was imagined with a full size refrigerator, prep sink, dishwasher and custom cabinetry to have items handy for entertaining. Innovative Construction, helped finalize the details and implemented the plans for the new addition. Interior Designer, Beth Weltlich with The House Dressing worked with homeowners, to select materials and finishes to unify the areas of the existing kitchen and the new spaces. A custom banquette was created with room under the staircase so that all of the space could be utilized. Furniture and accessories are still in the works as the homeowners let the area evolve to see exactly what their needs are. A collaborative effort-for sure! The challenges included creating three separate areas (mudroom, banquette and butler pantry) with storage and versatility in one existing space. Having this additional space that was not always utilized, the homeowners feel the new addition will become an integral part of the families' living area.

Our clients wanted to utilize this particular area of their home and really give it a function. It has been many things over the years: bonus room, dining area, etc. The kitchen is the natural gathering spot. They wanted to create a space that was an extension of the kitchen for entertaining and serving family and friends. Architect, Cynthia Karegeannes was hired to draw up plans for a mudroom to corral the couple’s two dogs and stash the pet’s leashes, treats, etc. A large butler pantry was imagined with a full size refrigerator, prep sink, dishwasher and custom cabinetry to have items handy for entertaining. Innovative Construction, helped finalize the details and implemented the plans for the new addition. Interior Designer, Beth Weltlich with The House Dressing worked with homeowners, to select materials and finishes to unify the areas of the existing kitchen and the new spaces. A custom banquette was created with room under the staircase so that all of the space could be utilized. Furniture and accessories are still in the works as the homeowners let the area evolve to see exactly what their needs are. A collaborative effort-for sure! The challenges included creating three separate areas (mudroom, banquette and butler pantry) with storage and versatility in one existing space. Having this additional space that was not always utilized, the homeowners feel the new addition will become an integral part of the families' living area.

This contemporary master bath suite emulates my client’s style perfectly, which is a mix of warm New England tradition and interesting modern detail. Originally the bathroom was a small space with access to a mediocre closet, a small outdated shower stall, and large corner whirlpool tub. The transformation of this bath began by removing everything pre-existing and starting a new layout from scratch. Ample amounts of storage were created by building a custom center wall cabinet for the deep red stained vanity separating his and hers sinks. The same privacy was created for the toilet, discretely placing it behind a half wall. The major design focal points include a freestanding egg shaped tub with sleek Sigma brushed nickel controls and a custom shower. The tub is surrounded by large horizontal matte and polished tiles and basks in the glow from the large window above. A custom shower facing the tub features the same large tiles with the addition of a metallic copper and gray horizontal border. The tile is continued to the floating seat keeping the lines clean. This bath is now spa quality, contemporary and sleek, and the perfect retreat for this happy couple!

A coastal oasis in New Jersey. This project was for a house with no master bathroom. The couple thought how great it would be to have a master suite that encompassed a luxury bath, walk-in closet, laundry room, and breakfast bar area. We did it. Coastal themed master suite starting with a luxury bathroom adorned in shiplap and wood-plank tile floor. The vanity offers lots of storage with drawers and countertop cabinets. Freestanding bathtub overlooks the bay. The large walkin tile shower is beautiful. Separate toilet area offers privacy which is nice to have in a bedroom suite concept.

Arts and crafts bathroom photo in New York

When our client bought their lot in Broken Top they did not build for years. Living in San Diego,they decided in 2011 to build a vacation home/ future retirement abode. Their vision included a welcoming single level with relaxing Master bedroom and bath, a kitchen/living/dining space to entertain family and friends, and an outdoor living space to enjoy the sunsets.Their vision became reality!! It also includes a wonderful second bedroom perfect for guests, with a separate entrance and a private bath with walk-in shower. The third bedroom doubles as an office with lots of windows. The home is rustic from the front. Upon entering one notices the open floor plan and contemporary kitchen design as well as the beautiful rock fireplace and abundance of light. An extra-large island in the kitchen includes a wine cooler, bar sink, and eating area. The décor of the home is comfortable and warm. And the stunning dark Acacia wood flooring runs throughout the main living area. This home is 3210 square feet on a single level. Natural mature landscaping surrounds the home giving it a settled-in feeling. This is a perfect home for retirees who host guests, or a small family. In this case,the couple will use it as their vacation get-away with retirement in their scope. Ross Chandler

A coastal oasis in New Jersey. This project was for a house with no master bathroom. The couple thought how great it would be to have a master suite that encompassed a luxury bath, walk-in closet, laundry room, and breakfast bar area. We did it. Coastal themed master suite starting with a luxury bathroom adorned in shiplap and wood-plank tile floor. The vanity offers lots of storage with drawers and countertop cabinets. Freestanding bathtub overlooks the bay. The large walkin tile shower is beautiful. Separate toilet area offers privacy which is nice to have in a bedroom suite concept.

Using a "lifetime of collected pieces" from a sprawling ranch style home and introducing them into an urban mid-rise is an exciting challenge. Designed for a couple down sizing from the sale of their home, the unit is quite small with a total of 1,807 square feet laid out in an open gallery floor plan with bedrooms at each end. The design was planned to accommodate the couple's extensive art collection, primitive antiques and textiles to maintain an atmosphere which replicated their former home. One of the challenges of this project was a requirement of the owners to incorporate the large scale antique pieces into this small space. The window walls provide a dramatic view of the city and also dictate that the location for the taller antiques would be on the two remaining walls. The primary living space was divided into three separate areas: a dining area, a media area, and an area for reading and enjoying the fireplace on a winter day or evening. Hardwood flooring throughout creates continuity and an easy transition into the bedrooms adjacent to the primary space. To unify the suite and create the illusion of spaciousness, the walls throughout were painted the same rich yet neutral toast color, and all of the beautiful ceiling and floor molding are finished in a soft white. The finished space is all the owners desired in a residence that reflects their varied tastes, incorporates their interests and provides a comfortable home for entertaining family and friends.

This couple approached us to design and renovate their existing master suite on their adorable Broad Ripple area home. Their goals were to update, open up and improve the function of their space. The ceilings were very low and the space was tight with an inefficient master bath and separate closet. We began by removing the ceiling and providing a high cathedral space for an expanded feel in the bedroom. We removed a side door and picture window and installed a sliding glass door to improve the natural lighting of the space and allow access to their landscaped patio on the back of the home. We stole space from the large master bedroom and eliminated the door that led into the closet, to allow for a larger bathroom and walk-in master closet with dressing area. This permitted a larger shower with a bench and the addition of a make-up vanity area. We also enlarged the window in the bathroom to allow more natural light into the space. The final design element was a floating step outside the sliding door onto their patio which is clean, modern and enhances the entrance to their serene master suite from the exterior.

Using a "lifetime of collected pieces" from a sprawling ranch style home and introducing them into an urban mid-rise is an exciting challenge. Designed for a couple down sizing from the sale of their home, the unit is quite small with a total of 1,807 square feet laid out in an open gallery floor plan with bedrooms at each end. The design was planned to accommodate the couple's extensive art collection, primitive antiques and textiles to maintain an atmosphere which replicated their former home. One of the challenges of this project was a requirement of the owners to incorporate the large scale antique pieces into this small space. The window walls provide a dramatic view of the city and also dictate that the location for the taller antiques would be on the two remaining walls. The primary living space was divided into three separate areas: a dining area, a media area, and an area for reading and enjoying the fireplace on a winter day or evening. Hardwood flooring throughout creates continuity and an easy transition into the bedrooms adjacent to the primary space. To unify the suite and create the illusion of spaciousness, the walls throughout were painted the same rich yet neutral toast color, and all of the beautiful ceiling and floor molding are finished in a soft white. The finished space is all the owners desired in a residence that reflects their varied tastes, incorporates their interests and provides a comfortable home for entertaining family and friends.

Our clients were living with outdated, dark bathrooms in their newly purchased Falling Star home. The dull palette of warm neutrals did not reflect the couple’s East Coast traditional style. They noticed several renovation projects by JRP in the neighborhood. The professionalism and the process impressed them. After receiving a Pardon Our Dust courtesy letter from JRP, the couple decided to call for a consultation. Their wish list was clear. They wanted the Falling Star design to be light, airy, and white. It had to reflect their East Coast roots. Working with the original footprint, JRP completely transformed the space, creating a tranquil primary suite rich with traditional detail. The result is an effusive celebration of classic style. Now, the radiant rooms glow. To enlarge the primary closet, the JRP team removed a cluttered storage area. Inside, a separate dressing space is finished with upgraded storage and refined built-in cabinetry with recessed panels. Pops of glam such as Robert Abbey glass chandeliers and brilliant bits of chrome are moored by traditional elements like crown molding, porcelain tiles, and a quartz-clad drop-in soaking tub. Large windows in the primary bath and funnel skylights in the closet harness the natural light to stunning effect, sweeping the rooms with the cool feeling of fresh air. The “Sail Cloth” white paint adds soft depth to the uncomplicated elegance of both rooms. PROJECT DETAILS: • Style: Transitional • Countertops: Vadara Quartz – Calacatta Dorado • Cabinets: DeWils Recessed-panel, painted white • Hardware/Plumbing Fixture Finish: Chrome • Lighting Fixtures: Master Closet: Skylight Sun Tunnel Master Bath: Robert Abbey, Glass Chandelier • Flooring: Floor: Calacatta Dorado Porcelain Tiles w/Accent • Tile/Backsplash: Shower Surround: Ceramic Blanc/Crackle • Paint Colors: Master Bath & Closet: Dunn Edwards Sail Cloth Hall Bath: Benjamin Moore Ballet White • Other Details: Drop-in soaking Tub Photographer: J.R. Maddox

Our clients wanted to utilize this particular area of their home and really give it a function. It has been many things over the years: bonus room, dining area, etc. The kitchen is the natural gathering spot. They wanted to create a space that was an extension of the kitchen for entertaining and serving family and friends. Architect, Cynthia Karegeannes was hired to draw up plans for a mudroom to corral the couple’s two dogs and stash the pet’s leashes, treats, etc. A large butler pantry was imagined with a full size refrigerator, prep sink, dishwasher and custom cabinetry to have items handy for entertaining. Innovative Construction, helped finalize the details and implemented the plans for the new addition. Interior Designer, Beth Weltlich with The House Dressing worked with homeowners, to select materials and finishes to unify the areas of the existing kitchen and the new spaces. A custom banquette was created with room under the staircase so that all of the space could be utilized. Furniture and accessories are still in the works as the homeowners let the area evolve to see exactly what their needs are. A collaborative effort-for sure! The challenges included creating three separate areas (mudroom, banquette and butler pantry) with storage and versatility in one existing space. Having this additional space that was not always utilized, the homeowners feel the new addition will become an integral part of the families' living area.

Style your outdoor space with distinction using Globe Electric's Harbor Outdoor Wall Sconce. The coastal design coupled with the matte black finish and clear plastic diffuser bring a nautical feel to any space while being subtle enough to complement any decor. The matte black contrasts beautifully with the diffuser for an eye catching effect. Use this piece alone or pair it up to accent your entryway or outdoor area. You can also bring the Harbor inside! Versatile enough to blend nicely with any interior design, this is the perfect piece to update any space. Includes all mounting hardware for quick and easy installation and requires one medium based 60W bulb (sold separately).

  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

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. 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. Gugel Photography