This 1902 San Antonio home was beautiful both inside and out, except for the kitchen, which was dark and dated. The original kitchen layout consisted of a breakfast room and a small kitchen separated by a wall. There was also a very small screened in porch off of the kitchen. The homeowners dreamed of a light and bright new kitchen and that would accommodate a 48" gas range, built in refrigerator, an island and a walk in pantry. At first, it seemed almost impossible, but with a little imagination, we were able to give them every item on their wish list. We took down the wall separating the breakfast and kitchen areas, recessed the new Subzero refrigerator under the stairs, and turned the tiny screened porch into a walk in pantry with a gorgeous blue and white tile floor. The french doors in the breakfast area were replaced with a single transom door to mirror the door to the pantry. The new transoms make quite a statement on either side of the 48" Wolf range set against a marble tile wall. A lovely banquette area was created where the old breakfast table once was and is now graced by a lovely beaded chandelier. Pillows in shades of blue and white and a custom walnut table complete the cozy nook. The soapstone island with a walnut butcher block seating area adds warmth and character to the space. The navy barstools with chrome nailhead trim echo the design of the transoms and repeat the navy and chrome detailing on the custom range hood. A 42" Shaws farmhouse sink completes the kitchen work triangle. Off of the kitchen, the small hallway to the dining room got a facelift, as well. We added a decorative china cabinet and mirrored doors to the homeowner's storage closet to provide light and character to the passageway. After the project was completed, the homeowners told us that "this kitchen was the one that our historic house was always meant to have." There is no greater reward for what we do than that.

This is another favorite home redesign project. Throughout my career, I've worked with some hefty budgets on a number of high-end projects. You can visit Paris Kitchens and Somerset Kitchens, companies that I have worked for previously, to get an idea of what I mean. I could start name dropping here, but I won’t, because that's not what this project is about. This project is about a small budget and a happy homeowner. This was one of the first projects with a custom interior design at a fraction of a regular budget. I could use the term “value engineering” to describe it, because this particular interior was heavily value engineered. The result: a sophisticated interior that looks so much more expensive than it is. And one ecstatic homeowner. Mission impossible accomplished. ​ P.S. Don’t ask me how much it cost, I promised the homeowner that their impressive budget will remain confidential. In any case, no one would believe me even if I spilled the beans.

Douglas Vanderhorn Architects
Example of a classic l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen design in New York with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, an undermount sink, marble countertops and stone slab backsplash

This 1930's Barrington Hills farmhouse was in need of some TLC when it was purchased by this southern family of five who planned to make it their new home. The renovation taken on by Advance Design Studio's designer Scott Christensen and master carpenter Justin Davis included a custom porch, custom built in cabinetry in the living room and children's bedrooms, 2 children's on-suite baths, a guest powder room, a fabulous new master bath with custom closet and makeup area, a new upstairs laundry room, a workout basement, a mud room, new flooring and custom wainscot stairs with planked walls and ceilings throughout the home. The home's original mechanicals were in dire need of updating, so HVAC, plumbing and electrical were all replaced with newer materials and equipment. A dramatic change to the exterior took place with the addition of a quaint standing seam metal roofed farmhouse porch perfect for sipping lemonade on a lazy hot summer day. In addition to the changes to the home, a guest house on the property underwent a major transformation as well. Newly outfitted with updated gas and electric, a new stacking washer/dryer space was created along with an updated bath complete with a glass enclosed shower, something the bath did not previously have. A beautiful kitchenette with ample cabinetry space, refrigeration and a sink was transformed as well to provide all the comforts of home for guests visiting at the classic cottage retreat. The biggest design challenge was to keep in line with the charm the old home possessed, all the while giving the family all the convenience and efficiency of modern functioning amenities. One of the most interesting uses of material was the porcelain "wood-looking" tile used in all the baths and most of the home's common areas. All the efficiency of porcelain tile, with the nostalgic look and feel of worn and weathered hardwood floors. The home’s casual entry has an 8" rustic antique barn wood look porcelain tile in a rich brown to create a warm and welcoming first impression. Painted distressed cabinetry in muted shades of gray/green was used in the powder room to bring out the rustic feel of the space which was accentuated with wood planked walls and ceilings. Fresh white painted shaker cabinetry was used throughout the rest of the rooms, accentuated by bright chrome fixtures and muted pastel tones to create a calm and relaxing feeling throughout the home. Custom cabinetry was designed and built by Advance Design specifically for a large 70” TV in the living room, for each of the children’s bedroom’s built in storage, custom closets, and book shelves, and for a mudroom fit with custom niches for each family member by name. The ample master bath was fitted with double vanity areas in white. A generous shower with a bench features classic white subway tiles and light blue/green glass accents, as well as a large free standing soaking tub nestled under a window with double sconces to dim while relaxing in a luxurious bath. A custom classic white bookcase for plush towels greets you as you enter the sanctuary bath. Joe Nowak

Photography by Scott Hargis
Inspiration for a large modern l-shaped light wood floor open concept kitchen remodel in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, paneled appliances and an island

Transitional gender-neutral laundry closet photo in London

Sloane Square No.92 External Wall Cabinet. Archway House No.106 External Base Cabinets. Leadenhall No.118 Larder Exterior. Kitchen by Smallbone of Devizes. Smallbone’s Beaconsfield showroom.

Inspiration for a transitional galley medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen remodel in Denver with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, quartz countertops, marble backsplash, paneled appliances and a peninsula

A built in wall unit serves as dish pantry, microwave space and storage for oversized pots and small appliances.
Inspiration for a small transitional u-shaped light wood floor enclosed kitchen remodel in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

Featured on Houzz: 'Kitchen of the Week' Photographer: Dan Farmer
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Boise with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and gray countertops

Black and white trim and warm gray walls create transitional style in a small-space living room.
Living room - small transitional laminate floor and brown floor living room idea in Minneapolis with gray walls, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace

Donny Mays Photography
Inspiration for a large contemporary full sun backyard stone landscaping in Portland.

This pantry was completed in white with shaker style drawers and doors and oil rubbed bronze hardware. The counter top is a matte finish to match the hardware. Corner shelves maximize the space with wire storage baskets for more diversity and functionality. There are also vertical storage shelves for large baking sheets or serving plates.

Tucked away behind a cabinet panel is this pullout pantry unit. Photography by Chrissy Racho.
Example of a large eclectic l-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen design in Bridgeport with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, gray backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Trendy bathroom photo in Portland

Andrea Rugg
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless single-wall ceramic tile and black floor utility room remodel in Minneapolis with white cabinets, laminate countertops, white walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and shaker cabinets

Kitchen - transitional single-wall kitchen idea in New York with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances and an island

Photo Credit: Mary Prince
Trendy kitchen photo in Boston

Nick McGinn
Example of a large transitional l-shaped slate floor utility room design in Nashville with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, limestone countertops, white walls and a side-by-side washer/dryer