Working within a set of constraints, whether of space or budget, challenges my creativity and leads to a beautiful end result. The old kitchen used the space very poorly. The intent was just to replace the countertop. But once we investigated, the inferior cabinets needed replacing, too, so a rethink of space usage created a small and stylish kitchen of lasting quality.

Here we transformed a guest bedroom into a home office. By adding two sets of double doors we hid the washer, dryer & all miscellaneous office equipment. Using the clients' existing artwork as a basis for our palette, we incorporated color into the room by painting the doors this lush green. Reupholstered chairs, sheer curtains and Holland Photography - Cory Holland - HollandPhotography.biz

This cluttered storage closet gets a makeover and it turned into a fun craft closet for creative client.
Small trendy women's medium tone wood floor walk-in closet photo in Other

Trendy home design photo in Los Angeles

A new workshop and build space for a fellow creative! Seeking a space to enable this set designer to work from home, this homeowner contacted us with an idea for a new workshop. On the must list were tall ceilings, lit naturally from the north, and space for all of those pet projects which never found a home. Looking to make a statement, the building’s exterior projects a modern farmhouse and rustic vibe in a charcoal black. On the interior, walls are finished with sturdy yet beautiful plywood sheets. Now there’s plenty of room for this fun and energetic guy to get to work (or play, depending on how you look at it)!

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   This client was referred to us from a past client. They are a busy 2-career household with young children and enjoy entertaining friends and family in their home. They have a beautiful open concept home but unfortunately the kitchen was not fitting for the rest of the home. They were not quite sure what to do with the space. We talked about trying to refresh it or do more of a minor remodel, but in the end they decided a full gut would get them to where they wanted to be. One problem was there was no place for guests to hang out other than the large and awkward banquette area. The brick wall and tiled hood area were feeling a bit dated and tired. The space was just not functional for their lifestyle. There was no prep space near the cooktop and no landing area for items coming out of the ovens or refrigerator, plus a big dead zone in the center of the room. Banquettes, like the one they previously had in the space, are great for small spaces, but when they get really large like this one, it makes getting in and out of the seating area awkward and uncomfortable. Plus, there was room for a large table, so we eliminated the awkward built in. We started by removing the faux brick wall between the kitchen and back entry. We relocated the entry to the garage over a couple feet in order to get every last inch out of the new kitchen. We also made the decision to close up the primary window that faced the pretty ho hum brick wall of the neighbor’s house. There was plenty of light coming in from the seating area, so we just didn’t feel the window was adding much to the room. Construction went smoothy. There was a bit of rework with electrical, flooring and HVAC, but in the end, we think it was well worth it. The clients really wanted a sleek contemporary look, and we originally had planned for a full height slab backsplash, but due to it’s size, it was a budget buster. Instead, we got creative and settled on large format porcelain tiles that have a similar feel but were a fraction of the cost. We made sure the wall was plumb and level so that the fit and finish would mimic that of slab material. The final space was quite a change. A large prep sink sits directly across from the new pro-style range with plenty additional prep space on the large island. The refrigerator and ovens now have miles of landing space, and a nice tight work triangle makes cooking a breeze. Since we wanted a more contemporary feel, not many wall cabinets were included. Instead, we outfitted some of the drawers for dish storage with a peg system. Two large pantries flanking the refrigerator hold baking supplies and small appliances. Large drawers by the cooktop hold pots and pans, and an appliance garage tucked away to the left of the range hides away miscellaneous items. The large island also houses a microwave drawer and tons of storage, most of which is drawers offering maximum convenience. The island now seats 5-6 people comfortably along with the new table in the seating area which can seat up to 8. Entertaining will be a breeze in this space. With such a clean backdrop, we knew we would need some drama with the lighting, so we chose two sets of staggered pendants, which we adjusted for the right visual balance above the island. We also included a small coffee station to the right of the main kitchen, which helps keep the coffee clutter out of the kitchen proper. Two tones of complimentary gray are featured in this kitchen. The perimeter is a light gray that reads almost white. The island is a gray stain that adds some depth and interest with the visible wood texture. The countertops are clean white quartz, and the hardware, barstools and light fixtures add warm brass tones. I see lots of cooking and entertaining with family and friends in the near future in this bright and airy new space. 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

Apartment Therapy: Monica Wang
Large eclectic enclosed concrete floor family room photo in Los Angeles with gray walls, no fireplace and a corner tv

A complete and eclectic rear garden renovation with a creative blend of formal and natural elements. Formal lawn panel and rose garden, craftsman style wood deck and trellis, homages to Goldsworthy and Stonehenge with large boulders and a large stone cairn, several water features, a Japanese Torii gate, rock walls and steps, vegetables and herbs in containers and a new parking area paved with permeable pavers that feed an underground storage area that in turns irrigates the garden. All this blends into a diverse but cohesive garden. Designed by Charles W Bowers, Built by Garden Gate Landscaping, Inc. © Garden Gate Landscaping, Inc./Charles W. Bowers

This home remodel is a celebration of curves and light. Starting from humble beginnings as a basic builder ranch style house, the design challenge was maximizing natural light throughout and providing the unique contemporary style the client’s craved. The Entry offers a spectacular first impression and sets the tone with a large skylight and an illuminated curved wall covered in a wavy pattern Porcelanosa tile. The chic entertaining kitchen was designed to celebrate a public lifestyle and plenty of entertaining. Celebrating height with a robust amount of interior architectural details, this dynamic kitchen still gives one that cozy feeling of home sweet home. The large “L” shaped island accommodates 7 for seating. Large pendants over the kitchen table and sink provide additional task lighting and whimsy. The Dekton “puzzle” countertop connection was designed to aid the transition between the two color countertops and is one of the homeowner’s favorite details. The built-in bistro table provides additional seating and flows easily into the Living Room. A curved wall in the Living Room showcases a contemporary linear fireplace and tv which is tucked away in a niche. Placing the fireplace and furniture arrangement at an angle allowed for more natural walkway areas that communicated with the exterior doors and the kitchen working areas. The dining room’s open plan is perfect for small groups and expands easily for larger events. Raising the ceiling created visual interest and bringing the pop of teal from the Kitchen cabinets ties the space together. A built-in buffet provides ample storage and display. The Sitting Room (also called the Piano room for its previous life as such) is adjacent to the Kitchen and allows for easy conversation between chef and guests. It captures the homeowner’s chic sense of style and joie de vivre.

This project was a part of the 2017 Decorators' Showhouse in Columbus, Ohio. Twelve designers each created a room within the Columbus Museum of Art, making this the first showhouse to take place within a museum. Each designer was allowed to use a piece of artwork from the museum's collection in their space. The intent of this design was to create a contemporary, gender-neutral nursery with touches of mid-century modern style. Mid-century modern design is sleek, simple, functional and bright. Here, the combination of vintage and contemporary furnishings and accessories all come together to create a space that is calm, yet inspires creative play. The artwork, California Landscape by Stanton Macdonald-Wright, sets this tone. His modern abstract, devoid of illustration uses blocks of color to create space and form. This idea of geometric abstracts is repeated throughout the design of the room. Interesting shapes that can be manipulated with eye or hand are very fitting for a nursery. This is a space where a child can dream and play, grow and learn, and also rest. It is a room that could evolve over time while continuing to inspire a child for many years. “I strive to divest my work of all anecdote and illustration and to purify it to the point where the emotions of the spectator will be wholly aesthetic, as when listening to good music…” - Stanton Macdonald-Wright, circa 1915 Photo Credit: Marshall Evan Photography Construction: Jameson Building Co.

Inspiration for a traditional landscaping in Boston.

ehlen creative communications
Inspiration for a large timeless u-shaped light wood floor and beige floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz countertops, multicolored backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Photo of a huge transitional landscaping in Boston.

Inspiration for a modern patio remodel in Boston

Photos by Brian Reitz, Creative Vision Studios
Example of a small trendy gray one-story stucco house exterior design in Los Angeles with a shed roof

We Are Extremely Proud That Designer Cottages A Berkshire Hathaway Company Has Chosen to Use Our Exterior Poplar Bark For Their Low Country Cottage Designer Cottages feature floor plans that maximize every inch. Fashionably integrated storage options. A classic design from a leading architect. Whether you seek a primary residence, leisurely getaway home, a deluxe mother-in-law suite or a downsize with hand-picked amenities, Designer Cottages is the choice for world-class, luxury living. All Designer Cottages are designed by Architect Jeffrey Dungan. Jeff’s discovered a love for art and drawing at a young age while growing up on his family farm in rural Alabama. Dungan’s creative work can be seen throughout North and Central America.

Flawless craftsmanship, creative storage solutions, angled cabinets, efficient work triangle, elevated ceilings and lots of natural light bring this contemporary kitchen to life.

Modern great room overlooking White Rock Lake in Dallas, Texas.
Example of a huge minimalist open concept light wood floor living room design in Boston with white walls, a corner fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Property Marketed by Hudson Place Realty - Style meets substance in this circa 1875 townhouse. Completely renovated & restored in a contemporary, yet warm & welcoming style, 295 Pavonia Avenue is the ultimate home for the 21st century urban family. Set on a 25’ wide lot, this Hamilton Park home offers an ideal open floor plan, 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths and a private outdoor oasis. With 3,600 sq. ft. of living space, the owner’s triplex showcases a unique formal dining rotunda, living room with exposed brick and built in entertainment center, powder room and office nook. The upper bedroom floors feature a master suite separate sitting area, large walk-in closet with custom built-ins, a dream bath with an over-sized soaking tub, double vanity, separate shower and water closet. The top floor is its own private retreat complete with bedroom, full bath & large sitting room. Tailor-made for the cooking enthusiast, the chef’s kitchen features a top notch appliance package with 48” Viking refrigerator, Kuppersbusch induction cooktop, built-in double wall oven and Bosch dishwasher, Dacor espresso maker, Viking wine refrigerator, Italian Zebra marble counters and walk-in pantry. A breakfast nook leads out to the large deck and yard for seamless indoor/outdoor entertaining. Other building features include; a handsome façade with distinctive mansard roof, hardwood floors, Lutron lighting, home automation/sound system, 2 zone CAC, 3 zone radiant heat & tremendous storage, A garden level office and large one bedroom apartment with private entrances, round out this spectacular home.