Cottage exterior home idea in New York

Sometimes, I can’t help but smile. Recently October 5 met a beautiful couple, Al and Shawn. With their two sons gone, they decided to remodel their kitchen. The house was built in 1957, with the original kitchen remaining. When I first met Shawn, she was determined, make no mistake about it. She wanted, “. . . dark cabinets with a dark floor.” End of story! Hmmm . . . I just smiled and listened. She finally asked me what I thought. I told her, “Well, I don’t really see dark cabinets with a dark floor.” Beautifully carved wooden beams supported the living room ceiling, along with a well design wrap-around comfortable bay-window seat. All of it painted white, which looked beautiful and enjoyed architectural significance. I guess after living in a house for 27 years, we tend to overlook its natural treasures. Shawn was having none of it. “Oh my god, white? Who’s going to keep it clean? No way? Dark, dark, dark!” Sometimes, you just have to let an idea sit and marinate. You might guess as to who won . . . remember, I am writing this. Shawn and Al have to be one of my favorite clients of all times. We debated, argued and even kept score. Shawn won on the countertops, Arabian Nights, I have to give her credit, and the backsplash. She did not want outlets in the Carrera Marble backsplash, which surprisingly has changed my opinion, but I won everything else. At the end of the project the score was Shawn = 2 (may be 3) and Jim = 12+ (I eventually lost count, but who’s counting anyway.) Sometimes, I can’t help but smile. Hope you do too, when you look at the pictures below.

Sometimes there are ledges, sills, etc. that cause window treatment specialist to have to make the hem at 2 different heights in order to accommodate the situation.

The client's reading chair and sometimes sleeping chair. The floor where the partition wall was is now blended in. photo: Playable Studio
Example of a trendy home design design in New York

Pioneer Cabinetry
Example of a transitional kitchen design in Toronto

Sometimes the best design is achieved by just not interfering with nature! By keeping the palette of this room a crisp, neutral white, the elements of light and natural wood were allowed to intersect to define the space.

Greg Riegler Photography
Elegant brick floor and red floor hallway photo with white walls

Staircase - rustic staircase idea

© Casey Dunn
Trendy kitchen photo in Austin with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, gray backsplash, paneled appliances and an island

Colleen Duffley
Inspiration for a coastal staircase remodel in Miami

Inspiration for a country exterior home remodel in San Francisco

Sometimes fun is a leisurely stroll down a garden path. This arbor welcomes you to a garden paradise, inviting you to shed life's burdens and breath in natures beauty.

A picture is sometimes worth a thousand words

Sometimes you just need to take things in a new direction! This Nebraska homeowner had their Chamomile Hickory installed diagonally for an extra visual POP.

The bathrooms just needed a fresh coat of paint and some whimsical artwork. When you have classic prewar elements - and a window - sometimes it's best to get out of the way. photo: Brendan McCarthy

We are award winners in southwest design, but sometimes a project demands a different look. Look closely how southwest and asian style comes together in perfect harmony. ‪#‎lindarobinsondesign‬ ‪#‎southwestliving‬ ‪#‎asianmeetssouthwest‬

Pioneer Cabinetry
Example of a transitional kitchen design in Toronto

Sometimes, we all need a little reminder.
Inspiration for a small country kids' white tile drop-in bathtub remodel in Toronto with recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls and an integrated sink

Art placement above a sofa can be tricky, sometimes placed too high or too low. In this room, it is in perfect proportion to the room and placed at the proper distance above the sofa.