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.”

The artfully designed Boise Passive House is tucked in a mature neighborhood, surrounded by 1930’s bungalows. The architect made sure to insert the modern 2,000 sqft. home with intention and a nod to the charm of the adjacent homes. Its classic profile gleams from days of old while bringing simplicity and design clarity to the façade. The 3 bed/2.5 bath home is situated on 3 levels, taking full advantage of the otherwise limited lot. Guests are welcomed into the home through a full-lite entry door, providing natural daylighting to the entry and front of the home. The modest living space persists in expanding its borders through large windows and sliding doors throughout the family home. Intelligent planning, thermally-broken aluminum windows, well-sized overhangs, and Selt external window shades work in tandem to keep the home’s interior temps and systems manageable and within the scope of the stringent PHIUS standards.

James Stewart
Inspiration for a small contemporary master porcelain tile bathroom remodel in Phoenix with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls, an undermount sink and quartz countertops

Eclectic home design photo in Other

James Stewart
Inspiration for a small modern open concept porcelain tile living room remodel in Phoenix with multicolored walls

MOON HILL BATH - WINNER 2013 PRISM AWARD - BEST BATHROOM Initially designed in 1950, this antiquated bathroom was ready for an update. The home, envisioned by The Architect’s Collaborative (a progressive group founded in part by Bauhaus architect Walter Gropius), is part of a community inspired by the modernism movement. Clearly in need of aesthetic and functional improvements, the new renovation stays true to its utilitarian modern heritage. SPACE By reclaiming underutilized closet space from an abutting home office, the re-visioned plan feels more spacious, even with the addition of a deep soaking tub. The new layout also shields the toilet from view when the door is left open. COLORS The harsh yellow tones have been replaced by a warm palette of soft grays and browns. Daylight is refracted through cut glass window art, created by the homeowner. SIMPLICITY Contiguous tile work, carefully patterned, weaves through the space. Simplicity and added storage complete the design by removing the normal visual clutter of a bathroom and offering the reassurance of clean organization. Pegboards inside the custom medicine cabinet create a discrete place for every bathroom accessory. RESULT The final result is a modern oasis with soothing spa-like qualities that offers an escape from frenetically paced everyday life. TEAM Architecture – ZeroEnergy Design Construction – S+H Construction Photography – Eric Roth SOURCES Fixtures – Victoria+Albert, Duravit, Kohler, Gerberit Finishes – Ann Sacks, StoneWood, Ivy Coatings

Inspiration for a mid-century modern bathroom remodel in San Francisco

This multistory Craftsman staircase brings warmth and simplicity to the home. Clean horizontal lines define the design, from the rectangular wood treads to the custom newels, balusters, and handrail system. These lines create a warm open flow that connects each level with natural elegance and timeless simplicity. 1976-2025 © Century Stair Company

David O. Marlow
Example of a mountain style living room design in Other

Her master closet.
Example of a small classic gender-neutral dark wood floor walk-in closet design in Charlotte

Example of a bedroom design in Other

Custom designed entertainment center with storage and display space. Fluted trim and crown molding ties in with existing trim-work.
Inspiration for a huge transitional master carpeted and gray floor bedroom remodel in New York with gray walls

This young married couple enlisted our help to update their recently purchased condo into a brighter, open space that reflected their taste. They traveled to Copenhagen at the onset of their trip, and that trip largely influenced the design direction of their home, from the herringbone floors to the Copenhagen-based kitchen cabinetry. We blended their love of European interiors with their Asian heritage and created a soft, minimalist, cozy interior with an emphasis on clean lines and muted palettes.

Eckersley Garden Architecture http://www.e-ga.com.au La Roche limestone flooring http://www.ecooutdoor.com.au/flooring/limestone/la-roche Eckersley Garden Architecture | Eco Outdoor | La Roche flooring | livelifeoutdoors | Outdoor Design | Natural stone flooring | Garden design | Outdoor paving | Outdoor design inspiration | Outdoor style | Outdoor ideas | Luxury homes | Paving ideas | Garden ideas | Natural stone paving | Floor tiles | Outdoor tiles | Pool ideas | Patio ideas | Limestone flooring

The Living Room looked quite narrow and long before the renovation so we had to make it more balanced and spacious. It was achieved by creating a new furniture layout, and choosing the right colours and finishes for the walls, window frames and hard wood floor. The beautiful abstract artwork adds drama to the whole room. Photo by Valerie Wilcox

Powder room - small transitional dark wood floor and brown floor powder room idea in Minneapolis with a two-piece toilet, beige walls and a pedestal sink

This meticulously restored mid-century modern bathroom evokes the era's signature style with a touch of modern luxury. Channeling the era's love of clean lines and geometric forms, vertical stacked tile graces the walls in a timeless arrangement. This design element creates a sense of height and spaciousness, while the frameless glass shower enclosure maintains an open and airy feel. The warm wood grain of the vanity and the soft lighting add warmth to the otherwise minimalist space. The natural stone countertop and polished nickel fixtures add a touch of luxury and elegance, while the simple lines and understated design remain true to the home's mid-century roots. The skylight allows ample natural light to flood the space, creating a bright and inviting atmosphere.

A big boy bedroom for a little boy, this modern take on a safari room combines a contemporary feel with mid century modern furniture. Although the room in small it provides ample play and relaxation and storage spaces, with two large custom build in closets, a secret teepee hideout and a reading/playing area.

This stylish modern office with beautiful custom furniture sits on hardwood floors and has ample open and closed storage with the additional matching cabinet.