©Brett Bulthuis
Example of a mid-sized trendy open concept dark wood floor living room design in Chicago with white walls and no tv

These clients came to my office looking for an architect who could design their "empty nest" home that would be the focus of their soon to be extended family. A place where the kids and grand kids would want to hang out: with a pool, open family room/ kitchen, garden; but also one-story so there wouldn't be any unnecessary stairs to climb. They wanted the design to feel like "old Pasadena" with the coziness and attention to detail that the era embraced. My sensibilities led me to recall the wonderful classic mansions of San Marino, so I designed a manor house clad in trim Bluestone with a steep French slate roof and clean white entry, eave and dormer moldings that would blend organically with the future hardscape plan and thoughtfully landscaped grounds. The site was a deep, flat lot that had been half of the old Joan Crawford estate; the part that had an abandoned swimming pool and small cabana. I envisioned a pavilion filled with natural light set in a beautifully planted park with garden views from all sides. Having a one-story house allowed for tall and interesting shaped ceilings that carved into the sheer angles of the roof. The most private area of the house would be the central loggia with skylights ensconced in a deep woodwork lattice grid and would be reminiscent of the outdoor “Salas” found in early Californian homes. The family would soon gather there and enjoy warm afternoons and the wonderfully cool evening hours together. Working with interior designer Jeffrey Hitchcock, we designed an open family room/kitchen with high dark wood beamed ceilings, dormer windows for daylight, custom raised panel cabinetry, granite counters and a textured glass tile splash. Natural light and gentle breezes flow through the many French doors and windows located to accommodate not only the garden views, but the prevailing sun and wind as well. The graceful living room features a dramatic vaulted white painted wood ceiling and grand fireplace flanked by generous double hung French windows and elegant drapery. A deeply cased opening draws one into the wainscot paneled dining room that is highlighted by hand painted scenic wallpaper and a barrel vaulted ceiling. The walnut paneled library opens up to reveal the waterfall feature in the back garden. Equally picturesque and restful is the view from the rotunda in the master bedroom suite. Architect: Ward Jewell Architect, AIA Interior Design: Jeffrey Hitchcock Enterprises Contractor: Synergy General Contractors, Inc. Landscape Design: LZ Design Group, Inc. Photography: Laura Hull

Committing to a kosher kitchen is quite a daunting undertaking and when you are also taking on a complete remodel, it can be overwhelming. It does not, however, have to be insurmountable. There are many resources to help guide you through the experience. Check out the internet and magazines to guide you. Once you have done the initial research, contact your Rabi with questions and for clarification on a kosher kitchen. Kosher requirements can vary differently between Orthodox, Conservatism, Ultra Orthodox and Reform Judaism. Your Rabi most likely will have a list of rules and guidelines. Also, hire a professional kitchen designer. They will not only be able to design the needs of a kosher kitchen but also make it personal to your needs and beautiful too. If the space and the budget allow, two distinct kitchens within one space is a possibility. A kosher kitchen requires stringent separation of meat and dairy items. Depending on the sect of Judaism you practice ------ Storage: The Storage areas need space for two sets of dishes, pots and pans, flatware, cups and utensils. You can combine the storage areas as long as there is a separation and that you do not mix service ware. A good recommendation is to color code your plates, flatware, table linen, pots. For example, red plates, gold-colored flatware, copper pots for meat items while dairy items have white plates, stainless flatware, stainless pots. You may want to label each area so when you have your new sister-in-law help in the kitchen; everything stays in the correct place. Appliances: When selecting appliances look for the STAR-K logo. This will help you determine to what extent an appliance is Kosher. Some ovens will have Sabbath modes where they will turn on automatically at a predetermined time. Once the oven is open, the oven turns off. Some refrigerators also have Sabbath modes where the ice maker turns off on the Sabbath and back on the following day. One refrigerator is usually sufficient provided all foods stay on the proper container in the proper section of the refrigerator. Having an immaculately clean refrigerator is a must if this is the case. You do not want spills from one food source contaminating food from the other. If you decide on two refrigerators, one can be full size while the other is smaller. A good kitchen designer can help assess your family’s needs to determine which is best for you. Dishwashers cannot be Kosher in most cases. You either need two dishwashers, separate compartment dishwashers as in dishwasher drawers or wash by hand. Look at Fisher Pikel or Kitchen Aid for dishwasher drawers. Each drawer is on separate controls. You can dedicate the top drawer for dairy while the bottom drawer is for meat service ware. If you have space and decide to have two dishwashers, you can get two 24” wide dishwashers. Another option is to have one full size dishwasher and supplement it with a small 18” wide dishwasher. Miele makes an 18” wide dishwasher that is super quiet and cleans dishes very well. You may also opt for a single dishwasher drawer in addition to a full sized dishwasher. A single Microwave oven can be used for milk and meat provided that a complete cover is used around the food. You will also need separate plastic plate’s places on the bottom or glass turn table. Keeping the unit clean is very important. Counter tops: Counter tops may or may not be able to be koshered depending on your sect. Simply having sets of trivets for dairy, meat and pareve (not meat or dairy) will provide adequate separation of foods. Sinks: If you can’t have two separate sinks, include three separate tubs to be places in the sink. Color code the tubs for meat, dairy and pareve. If you have one sink or a single divided sink, you will need to be cautious about splashing, to keep the meat and dairy particulates apart. You will also need space for separate dish cloths or sponges and dish towels. Again, color coding is extremely helpful and highly suggested. Must Haves: ~Storage space for two sets of dishes, flatware, pans bowls ~Color Code and label where appropriate ~Separate burners dedicate for either meat or dairy ~Separate clean up areas ~Clean environment to avoid contamination between meat and dairy ~A space that functions for how you cook ~A space that reflects you Design and remodel by Design Studio West Brady Architectural Photography

Large minimalist walk-out concrete floor and beige floor basement photo in Portland with white walls

The beautiful Martini dining table incorporates contemporary fluid lines with it's chrome base and round clear tempered glass top. The table works great in a breakfast nook, or a small dining space. Now in a new, and bigger size! 54.5" in diameter, and 29.53" tall The Cross dining chair is sophisticated, yet modern. It has a grey vinyl covered seat, and stainless steel legs that are coated in a shiny silver finish. This chair looks great paired with the Cross dining table. 19.5"x 19"x 32.5"

This blue and white sunroom, adjacent to a dining area, occupies a large enclosed porch. The home was newly constructed to feel like it had stood for centuries. The dining porch, which is fully enclosed was built to look like a once open porch area, complete with clapboard walls to mimic the exterior. We filled the space with French and Swedish antiques, like the daybed which serves as a sofa, and the marble topped table with brass gallery. The natural patina of the pieces was duplicated in the light fixtures with blue verdigris and brass detail, custom designed by Alexandra Rae, Los Angeles, fabricated by Charles Edwardes, London. Motorized grass shades, sisal rugs and limstone floors keep the space fresh and casual despite the pedigree of the pieces. All fabrics are by Schumacher.

Example of a huge trendy marble floor great room design in Miami with beige walls

Stainless Steel Pool Table by Mitchell Pool Tables Modern Pool Tables Contemporary Pool Tables Pool Tables Billiard Tables Chrome Pool Tables
Family room - contemporary family room idea in Tampa

Inspiration for a small eclectic living room remodel in Chicago with white walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Matthew Williams
Example of a cottage open concept light wood floor living room design in New York with a music area, no fireplace and gray walls

The W collection is completed by the small table version, a pretty complement which enriches and emphasises the uniqueness of the original project: two different fine woods that enter into a metal tube forming a knot, and create a table in which the top, in the version with tempered glass, seems to vanish, also available in essence. Manufactured By Bross.

The formal living room in his house, with tall ceilings and a light, easy feel to it. The deep blue velvet couch grounds the eye and ties in the vast outside views. With a plush rug to keep it cozy and fiddle leaf fig trees to give it that extra touch of life. A great place to cuddle up with the family by the stunning concrete fireplace.

Finding creative solutions for small spaces is tricky. Using this vintage gold tray table with folding base as the coffee table in this small condo meets all needs in this tiny space. Designed by Danielle Perkins of Danielle Interior Design & Decor. Taylor Abeel Photography

Interior Designer Rebecca Robeson designed this downtown loft to reflect the homeowners LOVE FOR THE LOFT! With an energetic look on life, this homeowner wanted a high-quality home with casual sensibility. Comfort and easy maintenance were high on the list... Rebecca and team went to work transforming this 2,000-sq. ft. condo in a record 6 months. The team at Robeson Design on executed Rebecca's vision to insure every detail was built to perfection. 18 linear feet of seating is provided by this super comfortable sectional sofa. 4 small benches with tufted distressed leather tops form together to make one large coffee table but are mobile for the user's needs. Harvest colored velvet pillows tossed about create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Perhaps the favorite elements in this Loft Living Room are the multi hide patchwork rug and the spectacular 72" round light fixture that hangs unassumingly over the seating area. The project was completed on time and the homeowners are thrilled... And it didn't hurt that the ball field was the awesome view out the Living Room window. In this home, all of the window treatments, built-in cabinetry and many of the furniture pieces, are custom designs by Interior Designer Rebecca Robeson made specifically for this project. Rugs - Aja Rugs, LaJolla Earthwood Custom Remodeling, Inc. Exquisite Kitchen Design Rocky Mountain Hardware Photos by Ryan Garvin Photography

The Round Top Heirloom Pedestal Table paired with the Remi Side Chair. The Heirloom is handcrafted from solid hardwood and makes a beautiful pedestal table for a dining room, kitchen, or sunroom. The Remi Side Chair's all-natural banana and abaca leaf weave creates dynamic contrast with modern and transitional framing, from smooth mahogany to slabs of primitive wood in natural finishes.

Shaker style furniture is an American essential that has withstood the test of time flawlessly. Our natural solid wood, Classic Shaker Flare Leg furniture features the traditional clean lines that Shaker furniture is famous for, accented with elegant flared legs that gives this collection a more distinct appearance. Matching Classic Shaker furniture is available for every room of your house. Buy today and add the natural elegance of our American made Classic Shaker furniture to your own home! If you love the style, but can't find your size, give us a call and see how easy and affordable it is to purchase custom shaker furniture from Vermont Woods Studios. All pieces handcrafted with sustainably-harvested, eco-friendly wood.

The Round Watson Industrial Steel Pedestal Table is sure to make a bold statement in your kitchen or dining room.
Transitional dining room photo in Other

This captivating mid-century modern dining nook is located within a meticulously restored Gregory Ain home. It seamlessly integrates the dining area into the open floor plan, featuring a built-in banquette with plush cushions for comfortable seating. The round Saarinen tulip table and iconic chairs create a classic mid-century aesthetic, while the warm wood tones of the cabinetry and paneling add to the inviting ambiance. Natural light floods the space through expansive windows and clerestory windows, highlighting the vibrant geometric artwork and enhancing the overall airy and spacious feel of this iconic architectural style.

These clients, an entrepreneur and a physician with three kids, chose their Tudor home for the neighborhood, though it didn’t match their modern-transitional taste. They asked us to help them transform their into a place to play and entertain with clean lines and lively color, namely her favorites: bold purple and refreshing apple green. Their previous layout had a stifled flow with a large sectional sofa that dominated the room, and an awkward assortment of furniture that they wanted to discard with the exception of a vintage stone dining table from her mother. The living room served as a pass through to both the family and dining rooms. The client wanted the living room to be less like a glorified hallway and become a destination. Our solution was to unify the design of this living space with the related rooms by using repetition of color and by creating usable areas for family game night, entertaining and small get togethers. The generous proportions of the room enabled us to create three functional spaces: a game table with seating for four and adjacent pull up seating for family play; a seating area at the fireplace that accommodates a large group or small conversation; and seating at the front window that provides a view of the street (not seen in the photograph). The space went from awkward to one that is used daily for family activities and socializing. As they were not interested in touching the existing architecture, transformations were made using new light fixtures, paint, distinctive furniture and art. The client had a strict budget but desired the highly styled look of couture design pieces with curves and movement. We accomplished this look by pairing a few distinctive couture items with inspired pieces that are budget balancers. We combined the couture game table with more affordable chairs inspired by a classic klismos style, as one might pair Louboutins with stylish jeans. Right- and left-arm chairs with an interesting castle-like fret base detail flank windows. To help the clients better understand the use of the color scheme, we keyed the floor plan to show how the greens and purples traveled in a balanced manner around the room and throughout the adjacent dining and family rooms. We paired apple green accents with layered hues of lavender, orchid and aubergine. Neutral taupe and ivory tones ground the bold colors. The custom rug in ivory, aubergine, pale taupe, grey-lavender was inspired by a picture the client found, but we dramatically increased the scale of the pattern in proportion to our room size. This curvy movement is echoed in the sophisticated shapes of the furniture throughout the redesigned room—from the curved sofas to the circular cutouts in the cube end table. At the windows the solid sateen panels with contrasting aubergine banding have the hand of silk, and are also cost conscious, creating room in the budget for the stunning custom pillows in Italian embroidered silk. The distinctive color and shapes throughout provide the whimsy the clients' desired with the function they needed, creating an inviting living room that is now a daily destination. Designed by KBK Interior Design www.KBKInteriorDesign.com Photo by Wing Wong