Dennis and Joe have a large, light-filled house. New construction meant lofted space and open floor plans with traditional styling. Running a busy dental practice by day and engaged in a rich social life by night, this couple needed a professional to take the lead on making their house a home. That’s my cue! They wanted to take risks, and stay away from “matchy-matchy”. We gussied up a plain ol’ TV room and gave it a healthy dose of luxury. Our plan was initially inspired by an abstract painting hanging over their stone fireplace. We brought in their love of the outdoors to make things cozy and used family furniture whenever possible for nostalgia and comfort. I took their love for one-of-a-kind objects and started making a design plan, aiming to solve their biggest frustration: the family room. They had a tortured relationship with a “forgotten family room,” a great space that was spacious and bright, but not at all cozy or joyful, and certainly not “them.” I wanted to create a cozy space functional for everyday curling up with puppies and watching TV after dinner, yet chic enough for hosting the pre-dinner kitchen overflow and cocktails during parties. I went looking for contrasting textures and materials. I wanted to balance patterns and scale, and use non-traditional colors as neutrals to create an overall sense of “BAM!” Dennis and Joe loved the nod to the classics juxtaposed with new and different globally-inspired pieces. For this project our design aesthetic can be described as Middle Eastern/tribal meets mid-century modern. We played to their sensible side with proportion and balance, and stayed as far away from boring/bleh as we could. You could say this room was pretty successful...It was featured in DC Modern Luxury. (#nobigdeal, right?) From there we moved on to other spaces.. We added colorful pillows and sheer drapery to finish off their formal living room. We kept an inherited bedroom set from Dennis’ Mom and added color, draperies, and pillows to overhaul the guest bedroom. Their project was not a rip-and-replace, we weren’t starting from scratch with a blank piece of paper. Rather, our goal was to take what was already there and make it better, more like them. Using functionality first, we focused on giving the house a soothing, joyful aesthetic. We upped the chic factor by a gajillion and helped them find their ‘happy’ at home. See more Safferstone stuff at www.safferstone.com. Connect with us on Facebook, get inspired on Pinterest, and share modern musings on life & design on Instagram. Or, send us a love note at hello@safferstone.com. Photo: Angie Seckinger

Photographer: Isabelle Eubanks Interiors: Modern Organic Interiors, Architect: Simpson Design Group, Builder: Milne Design and Build
Example of a country home office design in San Francisco

Intentional. Elevated. Artisanal. With three children under the age of 5, our clients were starting to feel the confines of their Pacific Heights home when the expansive 1902 Italianate across the street went on the market. After learning the home had been recently remodeled, they jumped at the chance to purchase a move-in ready property. We worked with them to infuse the already refined, elegant living areas with subtle edginess and handcrafted details, and also helped them reimagine unused space to delight their little ones. Elevated furnishings on the main floor complement the home’s existing high ceilings, modern brass bannisters and extensive walnut cabinetry. In the living room, sumptuous emerald upholstery on a velvet side chair balances the deep wood tones of the existing baby grand. Minimally and intentionally accessorized, the room feels formal but still retains a sharp edge—on the walls moody portraiture gets irreverent with a bold paint stroke, and on the the etagere, jagged crystals and metallic sculpture feel rugged and unapologetic. Throughout the main floor handcrafted, textured notes are everywhere—a nubby jute rug underlies inviting sofas in the family room and a half-moon mirror in the living room mixes geometric lines with flax-colored fringe. On the home’s lower level, we repurposed an unused wine cellar into a well-stocked craft room, with a custom chalkboard, art-display area and thoughtful storage. In the adjoining space, we installed a custom climbing wall and filled the balance of the room with low sofas, plush area rugs, poufs and storage baskets, creating the perfect space for active play or a quiet reading session. The bold colors and playful attitudes apparent in these spaces are echoed upstairs in each of the children’s imaginative bedrooms. Architect + Developer: McMahon Architects + Studio, Photographer: Suzanna Scott Photography

Inspiration for a small transitional kids' white tile and stone tile marble floor, white floor, single-sink and wallpaper alcove bathtub remodel in Denver with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, a two-piece toilet, blue walls, an undermount sink, solid surface countertops, white countertops, a niche and a built-in vanity

Kids' room - transitional kids' room idea in Jacksonville

Traditional home in the heart of Savannah's Historic Landmark District that was built in 1999 had an 8' by 11' kitchen completely cut off from the rest of the house. We pushed out the back of the house three feet to create a bay to hold a sink, allowing us to completely open up the floorplan. The island color was based on the clients favorite shade of red (it also matches the front door). The rest of the palette is kept light and soft with a play of materials like the original pine floors, grass cloth wallpaper, Walker Zanger backsplash tile, and Viaterra Quartz 'marble' counters. The cabinets are all fully custom including an integrated dishwasher. It is a complete transformation from where we started! Photos by Richard Leo Johnson of Atlantic Archives

Tamara Flanagan
Inspiration for a coastal medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room remodel in Providence with gray walls

A happy east coast family gets their perfect second home on the west coast. This family of 6 was a true joy to work with from start to finish. They were very excited to have a home reflecting the true west coast sensibility: ocean tones mixed with neutrals, modern art and playful elements, and of course durability and comfort for all the kids and guests. The pool area and kitchen got total overhauls (thanks to Jeff with Black Cat Construction) and we added a fun wine closet below the staircase. They trusted the vision of the design and made few requests for changes. And the end result was even better than they expected.

Wow! Pop of modern art in this traditional home! Coral color lacquered sink vanity compliments the home's original Sherle Wagner gilded greek key sink. What a treasure to be able to reuse this treasure of a sink! Lucite and gold play a supporting role to this amazing wallpaper! Powder Room favorite! Photographer Misha Hettie. Wallpaper is 'Arty' from Pierre Frey. Find details and sources for this bath in this feature story linked here: https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/90312718/list/colorful-confetti-wallpaper-makes-for-a-cheerful-powder-room

When we found out we were expecting in June, we had already put a plan in motion to merge our home offices to eventually make way for a nursery. After the excitement of the big news we kicked it into high gear! First off we painted the room a crisp white to contrast from the past 2 tone dark office colours. Our amazing painter Carolyn from Roll Her Sleeves then traced out and painted our vision for the mural. At first we wanted to go very minimal but after looking at it for a few weeks, we asked her to come back and add a forefront layer of grey mountains, details in the peaks and the yellow sun. During that time the search for the perfect modern crib was on. We found the Hudson model from Babyletto which we loved from one of our suppliers in the states but after duties and shipping it ended up being more practical to buy it here in town. At the Artemano opening we hosted in November, we connected with Jonathan from Obasan mattresses. He graciously offered to supply us with one of their locally made high quality mattresses. We can’t wait for our baby boy to sleep on it! Our rocking chair has quite the story behind it. We originally found it for $8 ( yes eight ) dollars last spring. We weren’t sure at the time where and how we were going to use it so we had stored it in one of the garages where we were keeping furniture for an ongoing model home project. One morning we arrived and noticed the chair was missing. We made a call to our construction contact and he relayed the message. Next thing we know a worker was jumping in the garbage bins across the street. They had believed the chair was to be thrown away. Although a bit dusty it was recovered in decent shape. A few months passed and we started entertaining the idea of using it as our rocker. We asked Melissa’s dad if he would be interested in converting it to a rocker for us, and always up for a challenge he accepted and came through big time! At least was the task of reupholstering. We kind of liked the fun bright orange it was but decided to keep it safe with a nice grey material. After trying numerous curtains ( we lost count ) we finally settled on a old fav, the west elm chevrons. As well, 3 or 4 rugs were attempted until we tried the yellow rug from Urban Barn and instantly knew that was the one. We slid a couple small Ikea hacks in there. We wrapped an inexpensive floor lamp with rope to give it a different look ( and hide the silver since everything is brass ) and spray painted the shelf hinges to match the rest of the finishes. Photo: Sacha Leclair

Traditional home in the heart of Savannah's Historic Landmark District that was built in 1999 had an 8' by 11' kitchen completely cut off from the rest of the house. We pushed out the back of the house three feet to create a bay to hold a sink, allowing us to completely open up the floorplan. The island color was based on the clients favorite shade of red (it also matches the front door). The rest of the palette is kept light and soft with a play of materials like the original pine floors, grass cloth wallpaper, Walker Zanger backsplash tile, and Viaterra Quartz 'marble' counters. The cabinets are all fully custom including an integrated dishwasher. It is a complete transformation from where we started! Photos by Richard Leo Johnson of Atlantic Archives

Rather than starting with an outcome in mind, this 1,400 square foot residence began from a polemic place - exploring shared conviction regarding the concentrated power of living with a smaller footprint. From the gabled silhouette to passive ventilation, the home captures the nostalgia for the past with the sustainable practices of the future. While the exterior materials contrast a calm, minimal palette with the sleek lines of the gabled silhouette, the interior spaces embody a playful, artistic spirit. From the hand painted De Gournay wallpaper in the master bath to the rugged texture of the over-grouted limestone and Portuguese cobblestones, the home is an experience that encapsulates the unexpected and the timeless.

A complete full gut remodel of a 4,000 sq ft two-story penthouse residence, this project featured one of a kind views of the Boston public garden and Beacon Hill. A large central gallery flooded with gorgeous diffused light through two full stories of window glass. Clean linear millwork details compliment the structural glass, steel and walnut balustrades and handrailings that grace the upper gallery, reading nook, and stairs. A bleached walnut wet bar with backlit honey onyx backsplash and floating star fire glass shelves illuminated the lower gallery. It was part of a larger motif, which resonated through each of the unique and separate living spaces, connecting them to the larger design intention. A bleached walnut media room doubles as a fourth bedroom. It features a king size murphy bed seamlessly integrated into the full wall panel. A gracious shower in the adjoining bathroom, cleverly concealed behind an innocuous interior door, created a truly unique formal powder room that can reveal a full bath when the house is full of guests. A blend of warm wood, soft whites, and a palate of golds reflected in the stone (calacatta/onyx) textiles and wall coverings, this project demonstrates the powerful results of a consistent design intention, thoughtful engineering, and best practice construction as executed by our talented team of craftsmen and women. Interior Design - Lewis Interiors Photography - Eric Roth

This client was so much fun to design for. Their project was all about color, texture and creating a master bedroom and guest bedroom that compliments their passion for traveling and eclectic style. We created a seating area in the master bedroom where the family can gather at night to read and spend time quality time. Their desire for deep color and bold pattern allowed us to create a casual space that is both warm and inviting at the end of a long day. Guests often visit and stay for a bit. They wanted to give their family and friends the same cozy feel in their guest bedroom. We were able to use a combination of patterns, textures and colors with our custom-made bedding and pillows. We also love to repurpose where we can and painted furniture is a great place to start. The depth of color used here is a true reflection of our clients' warm and friendly personality that says "welcome to our home." Custom designed by Hartley and Hill Design All materials and furnishings in this space are available through Hartley and Hill Design. www.hartleyandhilldesign.com 888-639-0639 Neil Landino Photography

This 14,000 square foot Holmby Hills residence was an exciting opportunity to play with its classical footprint while adding in modern elements creating a customized home with a mixture of casual and formal spaces throughout.

With sweeping views of the Willamette river and Mt. Hood, this Atwater Place condo was designed with a balance of minimalism and livability in mind. A complete kitchen remodel brought a dark interior kitchen to the light and a full furnishings package welcomed Los Angeles transplants home to their new modern and bright residence. Our clients, a retired camera operator for both feature films and television and a producer/production manager on numerous television series including Weeds and The Middle, relocated from their traditionally-styled LA bungalow to Portland in the Summer of 2014. The couple sought a design departure from their long-term California residence and a fresh start for their new life in the South Waterfront. With only two pieces of sentimental furniture and a handful of artwork included in the plan, we set out to create a comfortable and clean-lined furnishings package complimenting the broad southeast views. Organically shaped upholstery pieces juxtaposed with angular steel and wood tables create a soft balance in the open floor plan. Several custom pieces, including a dining table designed by our studio and a custom hand-blown glass chandelier crafted by Scott Schiesel with Lightlite compliment timeless pieces from Knoll, Herman Miller, and B&B Italia. The kitchen is designed to reflect light and create brilliance in a space that is otherwise naturally dark. A material balance of stainless steel, back painted glass, quartz composite, lacquer, and mirror all play their part in creating a vibrant cooking environment. We collectively decided to forgo the traditional island pendant for a linear commercial fixture that provides tremendous light to the prep surface and creates an unexpected architectural element. The mirrored prep island creates the illusion of open space while concealing casework and wine storage on the working side of the kitchen. It is worth noting that this project was designed and installed almost entirely while our clients were still living in LA and wrapping up professional obligations and selling their home. This afforded us the tremendous opportunity to send our clients to showrooms not available in Portland to view key pieces before final specification. Textiles and finish samples were approved via mail and communication took place over e-mail, telephone, and an occasional office visit. This unique process lead to a successful result and a beautifully balanced living environment.

The Living Room is one of the first rooms seen right off the entry so the interior design demanded something unique. Strong color was added and curves in furnishings and patterns to offset all the rectangular shapes so the room is softer. This room sets the stage for what is to come throughout. Not your typical "only neutral colors" seen in most Modern Farmhouse architecture, they are there, but there is a layer of specifically selected colors added. The color palette moves you through the entire house utilizing different percentages of selected colors so each room feels like its own design but holds together with all other rooms.

The side of the staircase was a natural place to create a built-in TV and entertainment center with adjustable shelving and lots of storage. This space is bright and welcoming, and the open floor plan allows for easy entertaining. Welcome to this sports lover’s paradise in West Chester, PA! We started with the completely blank palette of an unfinished basement and created space for everyone in the family by adding a main television watching space, a play area, a bar area, a full bathroom and an exercise room. The floor is COREtek engineered hardwood, which is waterproof and durable, and great for basements and floors that might take a beating. Combining wood, steel, tin and brick, this modern farmhouse looking basement is chic and ready to host family and friends to watch sporting events! Rudloff Custom Builders has won Best of Houzz for Customer Service in 2014, 2015 2016, 2017 and 2019. We also were voted Best of Design in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 which only 2% of professionals receive. Rudloff Custom Builders has been featured on Houzz in their Kitchen of the Week, What to Know About Using Reclaimed Wood in the Kitchen as well as included in their Bathroom WorkBook article. We are a full service, certified remodeling company that covers all of the Philadelphia suburban area. This business, like most others, developed from a friendship of young entrepreneurs who wanted to make a difference in their clients’ lives, one household at a time. This relationship between partners is much more than a friendship. Edward and Stephen Rudloff are brothers who have renovated and built custom homes together paying close attention to detail. They are carpenters by trade and understand concept and execution. Rudloff Custom Builders will provide services for you with the highest level of professionalism, quality, detail, punctuality and craftsmanship, every step of the way along our journey together. Specializing in residential construction allows us to connect with our clients early in the design phase to ensure that every detail is captured as you imagined. One stop shopping is essentially what you will receive with Rudloff Custom Builders from design of your project to the construction of your dreams, executed by on-site project managers and skilled craftsmen. Our concept: envision our client’s ideas and make them a reality. Our mission: CREATING LIFETIME RELATIONSHIPS BUILT ON TRUST AND INTEGRITY. Photo Credit: Linda McManus Images

This was the first temple I built for my family friend. It all started with a small design on a paper, and we improved that design as we progressed in building the temple. The end result was wonderful, and my friend was very happy. This temple is the origin of my motivation towards building temples for others.