Search results for "Staying" in Home Design Ideas

Objective: The clients childhood memories of a home previously stayed in as a young girl played a vital
role in the decision to totally transform a part of history into a modern retreat for this couple.
Solution: Demo of every room began. One brick wall and center support wall stayed while everything
else was demolished. We rearranged each room to create the perfect home for the soon to
be retired couple. The clients love being outside which is the reasoning for all of large window and
sliding doors which lead to the pool and manicured grounds.
A new master suite was created, new guest room with ensuite bath, laundry room, small family
room, oversized living room, dining room, kitchen, dish pantry, and powder bath were all totally
reimagined to give this family everything they wanted. Furnishings brought from the previous home,
revived heirlooms, and new pieces all combined to create this modern, yet warm inviting home.
In the powder bath a classic pedestal sink, marble mosaic floors, and simple baseboards were the
perfect pairing for this dramatic wallpaper. After construction, a vintage art piece was revived from
storage to become the perfect juxtaposed piece to complete the powder bath.
The kitchen is a chef’s dream with clean lined cabinets, white quartz countertops and plenty of seating
for casual eating.

The client's master suite was dark with outdated wallpaper. They wanted the vanity with the floating mirrors to remain the focal point of the bathroom, so for the most part, the layout stayed the same. We went in, removed all finishes and started over; keeping with the style of the house. Grand Mirrors with integrated lighting were installed over the center vanities. The only change in the layout was that the bath tub was removed and replaced shower. The shower was lined with solid white marble tiles and accented with a cool Valentino parquet marble. The old shower became a linen storage closet and cabinets for additional storage. The lower cabinets are a deep espresso finish with contrasting linen finished cabinets up top. The door to the water closet was replaced with a pocket door, creating more space.
The guest bathroom felt claustrophobic with the wall between the vanity and toilet/shower area. We removed the wall and used a pony wall at the end of the vanity instead to hide the toilet. Being a guest bath there was no need double sinks, so one was removed, increasing the cabinet space. The crown molding stayed but the popcorn ceiling texture was removed in both bathrooms. The clients love their new sleek, brighter bathrooms.
Design/Remodel by Hatfield Builders & Remodelers | Photography by Versatile Imaging

Experience life in the heart of Paris Latin Quarter with this classic studio, 30 square meters apartment located on the 3rd floor of a secure residential building without an elevator. There is a flat screen TV and dining table and chairs that can double up as a home office space. We understand the importance of staying connected, which is why there is a high-speed Wi-Fi (1/Gbps) connection. The fully equipped kitchen has an electric tea kettle, sink, toaster, mini refrigerator, stove, drip coffee machine, oven, microwave, dishwasher and more. The kitchen also comes with all the cookware, dishes and utensils needed to prepare meals at home. There is no clothes washing machine, but a laundromat is nearby. Cleaning supplies, a vacuum, broom and mop are also provided. The apartment is heated with individual electric radiators for heating. The sleeping area is street facing and furnished with a double sofa bed with a comfortable, quality mattress. All the necessary bedding and linens are provided and professionally laundered. This property can host up to 2 guests. The flat has one bathroom accessible via the hallway with a shower, toilet and sink. You will find soap, shampoo, toilet paper and paper towels to start off your stay.
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Downsizing. It is an idealistic word for anyone that has more space than they need. It means less cleaning and maintenance costs, access to more culturally rich areas and a shrinking carbon footprint. What is one demographic that has been at the forefront of downsizing? Empty nesters.
Visualizing how to actually taking the step to make this change is not easy for everyone, however. Some people have reservations: Where will kids and grandkids stay when they visit? Where can I have my own space to escape to? What about the home office?
Taylor Morrison and Hanley Wood teamed up to create the NEXTadventure Home in Orlando, Florida. They set out to answer those questions and ease those doubts. The home features a flex room with transforming furniture. The Giro desk swings out to provide a work surface. The Nuovoliola wall bed provides a sofa during the day and a bed at night. The space also uses plenty of shelving to stay organized.
Architect Deryl Patterson of Housing Design Matters was behind the NEXTadventure Home and wrote about her design process for Builder Magazine.
Interior Design by Lita Dirks & Co

Experience life in the heart of Paris Latin Quarter with this charming 3-bedroom, 60 square meters apartment located on the 4th and 5th floors of a secure residential building without an elevator. The living area is furnished with a sofa, flat-screen TV and dining table and chairs. We understand the importance of staying connected, which is why there is a high-speed Wi-Fi (1/Gbps) connection. The fully equipped kitchen has a sink, toaster, electric tea kettle, full refrigerator, stove, drip coffee machine, microwave oven and more. The kitchen also comes with all the cookware, dishes and utensils needed to prepare meals at home. The flat comes with a clothes washing and drying machine. Cleaning supplies, a vacuum, broom and mop are also provided. The apartment is heated with individual electric radiators for heating. The first and second bedrooms are furnished with double beds and quality mattresses. The third bedroom contains a single bed. All the necessary bedding and linens are provided and professionally laundered. This property can host up to 4 guests. The flat has one bathroom accessible via the hallway with a shower, toilet and sink. You will find soap, shampoo, toilet paper and paper towels to start off your stay.

Ask a kitchen designer in Chicago which countertop question comes up most and you will hear the same answer: white or off-white quartz, and which shade. Homeowners walk into showrooms with a photo saved on their phone, usually a bright, veined slab from a magazine spread, and leave an hour later realizing there are a dozen versions of that same look. The confusion is not about taste. It is about the fact that "white quartz" covers a huge range of patterns, undertones, and price points, and nobody explains the differences before the sale.
Older bungalows and newer builds alike are getting stripped of their dated laminate and butcher block in favor of quartz, and the reasons are practical rather than trendy. Quartz does not need sealing, resists the kind of staining that granite can suffer over decades, and holds up to the freeze-thaw humidity swings that Chicago basements and kitchens go through every year. Once a homeowner commits to quartz, though, the real decision starts: which white, and does the pattern justify the difference in cost.
This piece walks through three specific slabs that keep showing up in Chicago renovation projects, why designers reach for them in different rooms, and what actually separates a flat white surface from one with real depth. None of this requires a design background to follow. It is mostly about paying attention to how a slab behaves under kitchen lighting, how busy the vending gets, and how it photographs versus how it looks in person.
Why White Quartz Took Over Chicago Kitchens
Ten years ago, granite dominated Chicago kitchen remodels almost by default. It was durable, it looked expensive, and every fabricator in the metro area carried a wide range of colors. Quartz has since taken over that position, and the shift happened faster than most contractors expected. Engineered stone gave homeowners a more predictable surface, since natural granite varies slab to slab while quartz is manufactured to a consistent pattern batch after batch.
The other driver is light. Chicago winters are long and gray, and a lot of kitchens, especially in older two-flats and courtyard buildings, do not get much direct sun. A dark granite countertop in a dim kitchen can make the whole room feel smaller. White and light-toned quartz reflects what little natural light comes through the windows, and it makes a galley kitchen or a north-facing space feel noticeably brighter without touching the cabinetry or the layout.
There is also a resale argument that local real estate agents bring up constantly. White quartz photographs well for listings, reads as updated and low-maintenance to buyers touring in person, and does not compete visually with whatever cabinet color the next owner might prefer. It is a safer bet than a bold veined marble look or a colored quartz that might feel dated in five years.
Arctic White and the Cost Question
Among the flatter, more uniform whites, arctic white quartz price comes up constantly in budget conversations because the slab sits at a more approachable point than the heavily veined Italian-marble-inspired patterns. It reads as clean and bright without the busy movement that some homeowners find overwhelming in a small kitchen. Fabricators in the Chicago area tend to keep it in stock precisely because demand stays steady across both new construction and remodel projects.
Part of what keeps this slab affordable relative to its heavily patterned cousins comes down to manufacturing complexity. A quartz surface with minimal veining and a consistent white base is simpler to produce at scale than one that mimics the irregular, high-contrast movement of natural Calacatta marble. That production difference shows up directly in what a homeowner pays per square foot, and it is worth asking a fabricator to walk through that pricing before assuming every white quartz costs the same.
Homeowners planning a full kitchen, including an island, backsplash, and perimeter counters, often use a flatter white like this specifically because it lets other elements carry the visual interest. A patterned tile backsplash or a bold cabinet color reads more clearly against a calm countertop than against one already fighting for attention with heavy veining. Designers frequently pair simpler whites with statement lighting fixtures for exactly this reason.
What Makes Calacatta Patterns Different
Calacatta refers to a family of marble originally quarried in Italy, known for a bright white background broken up by bold, often gold-toned veining that moves in thick, dramatic streaks rather than thin gray lines. Natural Calacatta marble is soft, porous, and expensive to maintain, which is exactly why quartz manufacturers spent years developing engineered versions that replicate the look without the upkeep headaches.
The challenge with any Calacatta-style quartz is getting the veining to look organic instead of printed. Early generations of engineered stone struggled with repetitive patterns that gave away the fact the slab was manufactured rather than cut from actual marble. Modern digital printing and layering techniques have closed that gap considerably, and the better Calacatta-inspired quartz lines now vary the veining across each slab batch so two counters in the same kitchen do not look identical.
Chicago designers gravitate toward Calacatta patterns for kitchens that function as the visual centerpiece of an open floor plan, which describes a large share of the gut renovations happening in neighborhoods like Lincoln Park, Roscoe Village, and the North Shore suburbs. When the kitchen island is visible from the living room and dining area, a dramatic veined surface becomes part of the home's overall design language rather than a purely functional work surface.
Calacatta Arno Under Kitchen Lighting
One of the more popular options in this category, calacatta arno quartz, balances a warm white base with soft gray and gold veining that avoids looking too stark under the cooler LED lighting common in newer Chicago builds. Homeowners touring showrooms sometimes make the mistake of judging a slab entirely under warm incandescent lighting, then get surprised when the same surface looks slightly different once installed under their kitchen's actual fixtures.
What separates this particular pattern from flatter competitors is how the veining clusters rather than spreading evenly across the slab. That clustering mimics the way real quarried marble forms, with denser mineral deposits in some sections and cleaner stretches in others. Fabricators cutting a large island slab from a single piece will often orient the pattern intentionally so the busiest veining lands somewhere visually interesting rather than getting cut off at an edge.
Because the background reads warmer than a stark white, this pattern tends to pair well with brass or matte gold hardware, a combination that has been showing up repeatedly in Chicago kitchen remodels over the past few renovation seasons. Cabinet painters report a similar trend, with more clients requesting warm white or greige cabinet colors specifically because they complement this kind of veined quartz better than a cooler, blue-toned white would.
Silestone's Version of the Calacatta Look
Manufacturers compete directly in this Calacatta-inspired category, and silestone eternal calacatta gold represents one brand's specific take on the pattern, distinguished by richer gold veining set against a brighter white base than some competing slabs in the same family. Silestone has built a reputation around anti-bacterial surface treatments in addition to the standard quartz durability, a detail some homeowners specifically ask about for kitchens used heavily by families with young children.
The veining in this particular slab tends to run in longer, more continuous lines compared to the clustered pattern found in some other Calacatta-style options, which gives large island surfaces a sense of visual flow from one end to the other. Fabricators working with bigger islands, the kind increasingly common in open-concept Chicago remodels, often favor patterns like this because there is less need to worry about seams interrupting a busy, disconnected pattern.
Price positioning for this slab tends to sit toward the upper end of the engineered quartz category, reflecting both the brand's manufacturing process and the complexity of replicating that continuous gold veining consistently across production batches. Homeowners weighing this option against other Calacatta-style quartz should ask their fabricator directly about batch availability, since premium patterns sometimes have longer lead times than standard stock colors.
Living With Quartz Day to Day
Beyond how a slab looks in a showroom or a listing photo, the daily experience of owning quartz countertops matters more once the renovation dust settles. Quartz resists scratching far better than laminate and holds up to the acidic spills, hot pans, and general abuse of an active kitchen without the sealing maintenance that natural stone requires every year or two. That low-maintenance reputation is a large part of why quartz overtook granite in the first place.
Heat resistance is a detail that gets less attention than it should. While quartz handles moderate heat well, manufacturers generally recommend using a trivet or pad for very hot pots straight off the stove, since sudden temperature shock can occasionally cause stress marks in the resin binder that holds the engineered stone together. This is a minor precaution rather than a major limitation, but it is worth mentioning to anyone assuming quartz is entirely indestructible.
Cleaning routines stay simple across almost every pattern in this category. A damp cloth and mild soap handle daily messes, and the nonporous surface means wine, coffee, and tomato-based sauces do not soak in the way they can with unsealed granite or marble. Homeowners moving from an older stone counter often mention how much less they worry about everyday spills once quartz is installed, which is a quality-of-life change that rarely makes it into the initial design conversation.
Choosing Between the Three
There is no single correct answer among these three slabs, and that is exactly why they keep coming up together in the same design conversations across Chicago renovation projects. A flatter white with minimal veining suits kitchens where other elements need to carry the visual interest, while a bolder Calacatta-inspired pattern makes sense when the countertop itself is meant to be the centerpiece of an open floor plan.
Budget matters too, and it is worth having a direct conversation with a fabricator about where each option lands before falling in love with a specific slab in a showroom. Lighting, cabinet color, and how the kitchen connects to the rest of the home all play into which pattern will actually look right once installation is finished rather than just in a photo.
Whatever direction a homeowner leans, seeing a full slab in person under actual kitchen lighting remains the single most useful step before signing off. Photos only go so far once the countertop is sitting in the room it will live in for years.

Certified Green Home!
Save Money approx. $150+ monthly savings on utility bills, approx. $20,000 in savings for 10 years and thousands in continued savings over the lifetime of the home, Certified Energy Star and FPL Build Smart Home.
Stay Healthy Attention people with allergies and breathing problems. This home is virtually allergen, dust, mold free. EPA certified indoor AirPLUS. You will be excited after reading our customer testimonials about how great they are feeling, living in a green home.
Be Wise by purchasing this certified Green home. Comparable cost to traditionally built homes. The home of the future at today’s price!
Your major benefits of investing in Green home: in addition to being healthy and economical, the Denise is built with sustainable construction technologies, that will keep your home competitive in the future housing market with newly built homes even in the next 10 – 15 years. Buying a Green home, you are making the best investment for your family.
Stay Safe the Denise with ICF walls is hurricane, tornado, fire resistant & sound suppressant. Substantially lower insurance premiums.
The split floor plan of this elegant & cozy home features an open living area with large great room that flows into the dining room & spacious gourmet kitchen with granite counter tops. This exquisite yet modest home is truly luxurious with ceramic tile & laminate floors throughout, large master suite, plus 2 additional bedrooms.

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Decorate your bedroom with the best area rug, a crucial element that enhances both style and comfort. An area rug does more than cover your floor; it adds warmth, texture, and personality to your space, making it an essential part of your bedroom decor. With a wide variety of options available, you can find the perfect rug by focusing on design, material, and functionality.
Design and Style: Select a rug that complements your bedroom’s theme, whether it’s contemporary, modern, traditional, mid-century modern, or transitional. Hand-tufted and hand-knotted rugs bring luxury and intricate craftsmanship, perfect for adding elegance. For a sleek, modern look, machine-woven rugs offer vibrant patterns and durability, often featuring heat-set fibers for long-lasting use. Flat-woven rugs, such as kilims, are versatile and reversible, fitting seamlessly into various decor styles.
Materials and Comfort: The material of your rug plays a key role in its appearance and comfort. Shag and flokati rugs provide a plush, cozy feel with their long, soft fibers, ideal for creating a welcoming bedroom retreat. Hand-loomed rugs add unique textures and an artisanal touch, while braided and hand-hooked rugs introduce charming, handcrafted elements. Option for machine washable rugs for easy upkeep, ensuring your rug stays fresh and clean with minimal effort.
Practical Features: Choose rugs with practical features to enhance functionality. Stain-resistant and water-resistant rugs help maintain a clean appearance and withstand spills. Non-slip and adhesive backings are essential for safety on hardwood floors, preventing slips and ensuring the rug stays in place. Cushioned rugs offer added comfort, making your bedroom even more luxurious and inviting.
Customization and Personalization: Add a personal touch with custom or personalized rug sets. An 8x10 area rug provides ample coverage and can be tailored to fit your bedroom’s dimensions perfectly. Features like fringe details or organic textures allow you to customize the rug to reflect your unique style and match your decor.
Versatility and Maintenance: The 15 best area rugs offer a broad range of styles and features to suit any bedroom decor. From distressed designs that add character to contemporary patterns that bring a modern edge, there’s a rug to fit every aesthetic. Look for options that combine style with practicality to ensure your rug enhances your bedroom while standing up to daily use.
In summary, selecting the right area rug involves finding a balance between aesthetic appeal and practical benefits. Whether you choose a luxurious hand-tufted rug, a practical machine-woven design, or a versatile flat-woven option, the perfect rug will elevate your bedroom decor and create a stylish, comfortable space. Explore various options to find the ideal rug that meets your design preferences and functional needs.

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Joseph Eichler developed his moderately priced houses for the mass-market starting in 1949. His homes were designed using affordable materials and simple construction techniques. Nearly 70 years later these homes are in need of updating and remodeling an Eichler home today can become an imposing and costly project if you’re not careful. For this project the clients, who had undergone several previous house renovations, were determined to stick with an established budget from the beginning. Klopf Architecture helped them modernize their Eichler with a premium appearance on a reasonable budget.
The clients challenged the Klopf team to create a design that had a high-end feel and nicely done while adhering to their budget. That meant not all of the initial project scope could be built. Like many other Eichler homes, the original floor plan did not meet the family’s needs leaving them feeling disconnected from one room to another. While an early goal was to expand the house into a carport and create a larger garage, it did not survive the contractor pricing phase of the project.
The goals that did survive through to the end of the project included blurring some of the boundaries and opening up some of the spaces, making them more functional and creating a smoother flow in the house. The Klopf team joined the former separate kitchen and formal living room into one large space and shift the dining room where it is now connected to the kitchen. Klopf swapped the family room to the front alongside the living room, so the spaces feel more cohesive and are now better suited for family activities. The functional layout of the master bathroom was changed to include a large, curbless shower.
Installing a complete IKEA kitchen including cabinets, countertops, appliances, light fixtures, and furnishings was key to staying within budget. Bath fixtures in this house are also exclusively IKEA. Klopf Architecture has designed many homes using IKEA products, which are quite compatible offering an affordable, contemporary take on Eichler homes. The clients saved additional money from the simplicity and availability of IKEA products and by orchestrating the orders and purchases themselves. Following each construction meeting, the clients would make a run to IKEA and purchase items, pick up needed spare parts, and bring them back right away to stay ahead of the contractor’s schedule and minimize the chance of delays and bottlenecks.
Klopf balanced material selections by retaining some of the original woodwork and simply refinishing the mahogany paneling. They were able to retain the original windows and sliding doors which were still in good shape, avoiding some of the most costly replacement expenses. Additionally interior doors were simply refinished and the exterior siding cleaned up and repainted. Formerly dark interiors are now illuminated with new slimmer semi-recessed lighting eliminating the need for costly roof work.
Attention to design details allowed the Klopf team to ensure the house ended up with a high quality feel. Key visual elements were strictly aligned and Klopf worked with the clients to select a unified materials palette throughout the spaces so the house flows seamlessly together. Aligning the tile layout with the trusses and keeping it level with the concrete slab outside allowed them to achieve a level of quality that may otherwise be missed.
The clients were able to keep their budget on track by determining clear goals and making critical decisions upfront, choosing materials and furnishings wisely, working with the right design and construction teams in place and to a large part, their willingness to participate throughout the process. In the end the clients were much happier with their reconfigured Eichler home and Klopf Architecture managed to keep their remodeling costs to about $325/sf – a good amount below the average Bay Area Eichler remodel.
Project Team: John Klopf, Angela Todorova, Sherry Tan
Contractor: Keycon Construction
Structural Engineer: Sezen & Moon
Photography: Sabrina Huang
Year Completed: 2020

Experience life in the heart of Paris Le Bon Marché with this cosy 2-bedroom, 60 square meters apartment located on the 3rd floor of a secure residential building with an elevator. There is a space that can be used as a living, dining or home office area. It is furnished with a sofa, flat-screen TV and a dining table and chairs. We understand the importance of staying connected, which is why there is a high-speed Wi-Fi (1/Gbps) connection. The fully equipped kitchen has a sink, toaster, electric tea kettle, full refrigerator, stove, drip coffee machine, microwave, dishwasher and more. The kitchen also comes with all the cookware, dishes and utensils needed to prepare meals at home. There is a clothes washing machine in the property and a drying rack is provided. Cleaning supplies, a vacuum, broom and mop are also provided. The apartment is heated with individual electric radiators for heating. Both bedrooms are street facing and furnished with double beds and superior quality mattresses. All the necessary bedding and linens are provided and professionally laundered. This property can host up to 4 guests. The flat has one bathroom accessible via the hallway with a shower, toilet and sink. You will find soap, shampoo, toilet paper and paper towels to start off your stay.

This client grew up in this 1950’s family home and has now become owner in his adult life. Designing and remodeling this childhood home that the client was very bonded and familiar with was a tall order. This modern twist of original mid-century style combined with an eclectic fusion of modern day materials and concepts fills the room with a powerful presence while maintaining its clean lined austerity and elegance. The kitchen was part of a grander complete home re-design and remodel.
A modern version of a mid-century His and Hers grand master bathroom was created to include all the amenities and nothing left behind! This bathroom has so much noticeable and hidden “POW” that commands its peaceful spa feeling with a lot of attitude. Maintaining ultra-clean lines yet delivering ample design interest at every detail, This bathroom is eclectically a one of a kind luxury statement.
The concept in the laundry room was to create a simple, easy to use and clean space with ample storage and a place removed from the central part of the home to house the necessity of the cats and their litter box needs. There was no need for glamour in the laundry room yet we were able to create a simple highly utilitarian space.
If there is one room in the home that requires frequent visitors to thoroughly enjoy with a huge element of surprise, it’s the powder room! This is a room where you know that eventually, every guest will visit. Knowing this, we created a bold statement with layers of intrigue that would leave ample room for fun conversation with your guests upon their prolonged exit. We kept the lights dim here for that intriguing experience of crafted elegance and created ambiance. The walls of peeling metallic rust are the welcoming gesture to a powder room experience of defiance and elegant mystical complexity.
It's a lucky house guest indeed who gets to stay in this newly remodeled home. This on-suite bathroom allows them their own space and privacy. Both Bedroom and Bathroom offer plenty of storage for an extended stay. Rift White Oak cabinets and sleek Silestone counters make a lovely combination in the bathroom while the bedroom showcases textured white cabinets with a dark walnut wrap.
Photo credit: Fred Donham of PhotographerLink

The homeowners of the 1850’s Brownstone house planned to stay in this house forever when they purchased it 28 years ago, but with two stories, steep and narrow stairs, small dark rooms, and no attached garage space, they needed to do some major renovations to make it feasible to stay there in the future. The floors throughout the house were not level, and some areas in the house even had less than 7’ high ceilings, including the kitchen. This tall family had to duck going through every doorway in their home. They had a beautiful secluded wooded property with a creek, but without any usable outdoor space never got to sit and enjoy it. Their goal was to create more open space, a bright farmhouse kitchen, first floor living so they can age in place as well as an attached garage and outdoor spaces, yet remain true to the historic home. With over 1,600 SF added, in addition to updating the rest of the home we were able to meet all the needs of this client. With an appealing 2-wing addition, we added a master bedroom and bathroom, complete with a walk-in shower and walk-in closet, a bright open farmhouse kitchen with walk in pantry that looks into the impressive great room with cathedral ceilings, faux wood beams, and stone fireplace, as well as a two car attached garage. The staircase is open and wide and comes down into the heart of the living space. Lots of new windows in the great room, as well as throughout the entire renovation were added, along with plenty of recessed, hanging, decorative, undercabinet, and exterior lighting. Farmhouse aesthetics were added throughout with barn doors and a custom wood island top which were made from some of the original wood from the house. Deep window sills in the great room pay homage to some details of the original house, as well as an original door into the pantry, and the now exposed brownstone wall at the front door. In addition to interior work, a large deck was added off the kitchen to enjoy the outdoors.

The guest bedroom is simply stated to make the guests comfortable, yet not too comfortable for that over stayed stay.
Bedroom - modern porcelain tile and white floor bedroom idea in Tampa with gray walls
Bedroom - modern porcelain tile and white floor bedroom idea in Tampa with gray walls

An Arts & Crafts Bungalow is one of my favorite styles of homes. We have quite a few of them in our Stockton Mid-Town area. And when C&L called us to help them remodel their 1923 American Bungalow, I was beyond thrilled.
As per usual, when we get a new inquiry, we quickly Google the project location while we are talking to you on the phone. My excitement escalated when I saw the Google Earth Image of the sweet Sage Green bungalow in Mid-Town Stockton. "Yes, we would be interested in working with you," I said trying to keep my cool.
But what made it even better was meeting C&L and touring their home, because they are the nicest young couple, eager to make their home period perfect. Unfortunately, it had been slightly molested by some bad house-flippers, and we needed to bring the bathroom back to it "roots."
We knew we had to banish the hideous brown tile and cheap vanity quickly. But C&L complained about the condensation problems and the constant fight with mold. This immediately told me that improper remodeling had occurred and we needed to remedy that right away.
The Before: Frustrations with a Botched Remodel
The bathroom needed to be brought back to period appropriate design with all the functionality of a modern bathroom. We thought of things like marble countertop, white mosaic floor tiles, white subway tile, board and batten molding, and of course a fabulous wallpaper.
This small (and only) bathroom on a tight budget required a little bit of design sleuthing to figure out how we could get the proper look and feel. Our goal was to determine where to splurge and where to economize and how to complete the remodel as quickly as possible because C&L would have to move out while construction was going on.
The Process: Hard Work to Remedy Design and Function
During our initial design study, (which included 2 hours in the owners’ home), we noticed framed images of William Morris Arts and Crafts textile patterns and knew this would be our design inspiration. We presented C&L with three options and they quickly selected the Pimpernel Design Concept.
We had originally selected the Black and Olive colors with a black vanity, mirror, and black and white floor tile. C&L liked it but weren’t quite sure about the black, We went back to the drawing board and decided the William & Co Pimpernel Wallpaper in Bayleaf and Manilla color with a softer gray painted vanity and mirror and white floor tile was more to their liking.
After the Design Concept was approved, we went to work securing the building permit, procuring all the elements, and scheduling our trusted tradesmen to perform the work.
We did uncover some shoddy work by the flippers such as live electrical wires hidden behind the wall, plumbing venting cut-off and buried in the walls (hence the constant dampness), the tub barely balancing on two fence boards across the floor joist, and no insulation on the exterior wall.
All of the previous blunders were fixed and the bathroom put back to its previous glory. We could feel the house thanking us for making it pretty again.
The After Reveal: Cohesive Design Decisions
We selected a simple white subway tile for the tub/shower. This is always classic and in keeping with the style of the house.
We selected a pre-fab vanity and mirror, but they look rich with the quartz countertop. There is much more storage in this small vanity than you would think.
The Transformation: A Period Perfect Refresh
We began the remodel just as the pandemic reared and stay-in-place orders went into effect. As C&L were already moved out and living with relatives, we got the go-ahead from city officials to get the work done (after all, how can you shelter in place without a bathroom?).
All our tradesmen were scheduled to work so that only one crew was on the job site at a time. We stayed on the original schedule with only a one week delay.
The end result is the sweetest little bathroom I've ever seen (and I can't wait to start work on C&L's kitchen next).
Thank you for joining me in this project transformation. I hope this inspired you to think about being creative with your design projects, determining what works best in keeping with the architecture of your space, and carefully assessing how you can have the best life in your home.

Experience life in the heart of Paris Montorgueil Quarter with this stylish 1-bedroom, 65 square meters apartment located on the 2nd floor of a secure residential building with an elevator. This property features a living room with a sofa bed and flat-screen Smart TV. There is a separate dining room that can be used for eating in or as a space to work from home. We understand the importance of staying connected, which is why there is a high-speed Wi-Fi (1/Gbps) connection. The fully equipped kitchen has a sink, toaster, electric tea kettle, full refrigerator, stove, drip coffee machine, microwave oven, dishwasher and more. The kitchen also comes with all the cookware, dishes and utensils needed to prepare meals at home. The apartment has a combination clothes washer and dryer. Cleaning supplies, a vacuum, broom and mop are also provided. The apartment is heated with electric heating. The bedroom faces the interior courtyard and is furnished with a king size bed and superior quality mattress. All the necessary bedding and linens are provided and professionally laundered. This property can host up to 4 guests. The flat has one bathroom accessible via the hallway with a shower, toilet and sink. You will find soap, shampoo, toilet paper and paper towels to start off your stay.

Experience life in the heart of Paris Le Marais with this lovely 1-bedroom, 40 square meters apartment located on the 4th floor of a secure residential building with an elevator. There is a space that can be used as a living, dining or home office area. It is furnished with a sofa bed, flat-screen TV and a dining table and chairs. We understand the importance of staying connected, which is why there is a high-speed Wi-Fi (1/Gbps) connection. The fully equipped kitchen has an electric tea kettle, sink, toaster, mini refrigerator, stove, drip coffee machine, oven, dishwasher and more. The kitchen also comes with all the cookware, dishes and utensils needed to prepare meals at home. There is a clothes washing machine in the property and a drying rack is provided. Cleaning supplies, a vacuum, broom and mop are also provided. The apartment is heated with electric heating. The bedroom faces the interior courtyard and is furnished with a queen size bed and superior quality mattress. All the necessary bedding and linens are provided and professionally laundered. This property can host up to 3 guests. The flat has one bathroom with a combination bathtub/shower, sink and toilet. You will find soap, shampoo, toilet paper and paper towels to start off your stay.

Custom Shaker Window Bench Seat and Cabinets with 3 False Shaker Fronts and Lift Up Stay Up Lid with Soft Close Hinges
Shown in Golden Sand on Maple with Satin Nickel Pulls and Knobs.
Flat Trim and 3" Toe Kick – 73”w x 18”h x 20”d (Dimensions don't Include Top) -Includes Storage Space inside -1" Overhang on Front Only
Lift Up Stay Up Lid with Soft Close Hinges
Custom Shaker Bottom Cabinet with 2 Shaker Doors (1 Adjustable Shelf) – 32”w x 30”h x 17”d -Recessed Back 3" from Center Bench – LSF
Custom Shaker Bottom Cabinet with 2 Shaker Doors (1 Adjustable Shelf) – 30”w x 30”h x 17”d -Recessed Back 3" from Center Bench -RSF
2 Custom Open Bookcase Top Hutches with Flat Trim (3- 3/4" thick Adjustable Shelves) – 29”w x 62”h x 12”d - Dimensions do not include Crown
3" Crown Molding on Face and Inside Returns

Experience life in the heart of Paris Latin Quarter with this cozy 1-bedroom, 40 square meters apartment located on the 1st floor of a secure residential building with an elevator. The living area is furnished with a sofa bed, flat-screen TV and dining table and can also be used as a work-from-home space. We understand the importance of staying connected, which is why there is a high-speed Wi-Fi (1/Gbps) connection. The kitchen is fully equipped with a sink, electric tea kettle, toaster, mini refrigerator, stove, drip coffee machine, microwave oven, dishwasher and more. The kitchen also comes with all the cookware, dishes and utensils needed to prepare meals at home. This property does not have a clothes washer, but there is a laundromat closeby. Cleaning supplies, a vacuum, broom and mop are also provided. The apartment is heated with individual electric radiators for heating. The bedroom faces the street and is furnished with a double size bed and superior quality mattress. All the necessary bedding and linens are provided and professionally laundered. This property can host up to 4 guests. The flat has one shower room with a bathtub/shower and sink. The toilet is located in a separate water closet. You will find soap, shampoo, toilet paper and paper towels to start off your stay.

This new home was built on an old lot in Dallas, TX in the Preston Hollow neighborhood. The new home is a little over 5,600 sq.ft. and features an expansive great room and a professional chef’s kitchen. This 100% brick exterior home was built with full-foam encapsulation for maximum energy performance. There is an immaculate courtyard enclosed by a 9' brick wall keeping their spool (spa/pool) private. Electric infrared radiant patio heaters and patio fans and of course a fireplace keep the courtyard comfortable no matter what time of year. A custom king and a half bed was built with steps at the end of the bed, making it easy for their dog Roxy, to get up on the bed. There are electrical outlets in the back of the bathroom drawers and a TV mounted on the wall behind the tub for convenience. The bathroom also has a steam shower with a digital thermostatic valve. The kitchen has two of everything, as it should, being a commercial chef's kitchen! The stainless vent hood, flanked by floating wooden shelves, draws your eyes to the center of this immaculate kitchen full of Bluestar Commercial appliances. There is also a wall oven with a warming drawer, a brick pizza oven, and an indoor churrasco grill. There are two refrigerators, one on either end of the expansive kitchen wall, making everything convenient. There are two islands; one with casual dining bar stools, as well as a built-in dining table and another for prepping food. At the top of the stairs is a good size landing for storage and family photos. There are two bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, as well as a movie room. What makes this home so special is the Casita! It has its own entrance off the common breezeway to the main house and courtyard. There is a full kitchen, a living area, an ADA compliant full bath, and a comfortable king bedroom. It’s perfect for friends staying the weekend or in-laws staying for a month.
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