This mid-century modern was a full restoration back to this home's former glory. The vertical grain fir ceilings were reclaimed, refinished, and reinstalled. The floors were a special epoxy blend to imitate terrazzo floors that were so popular during this period. The quartz countertops waterfall on both ends and the handmade tile accents the backsplash. Reclaimed light fixtures, hardware, and appliances put the finishing touches on this remodel. Photo credit - Inspiro 8 Studios

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Lakefront property in the northwest suburbs of Chicago is hard to come by, so when we were hired by this young family with exactly that, we were immediately inspired by not just the unusually large footprint of this 1950’s colonial revival but also the lovely views of the manmade lake it was sited on. The large 5-bedroom home was solidly stuck in the 1980’s, but we saw tons of potential. We started out by updating the existing staircase with a fresh coat of paint and adding new herringbone slate to the entry hall. The powder room off the entryway also got a refresh - new flooring, new cabinets and fixtures. We ran the new slate right through into this space for some consistency. A fun wallpaper and shiplap trim add a welcoming feel and set the tone for the home. Next, we tackled the kitchen. Located away from the rest of the first floor, the kitchen felt a little isolated, so we immediately began planning for how to better connect it to the rest of the first floor. We landed on removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room and designed a modified galley style space with separate cooking and clean up zones. The cooking zone consists of the refrigerator, prep sink and cooktop, along with a nice long run of prep space at the island. The cleanup side of the kitchen consists of the main sink and dishwasher. Both areas are situated so that the user can view the lake during prep work and cleanup! One of the home’s main puzzles was how to incorporate the mudroom and area in front of the patio doors at the back of the house. We already had a breakfast table area, so the space by the patio doors was a bit of a no man’s land. We decided to separate the kitchen proper from what became the new mudroom with a large set of barn doors. That way you can quickly hide any mudroom messes but have easy access to the light coming in through the patio doors as well as the outdoor grilling station. We also love the impact the barn doors add to the overall space. The homeowners’ first words to us were “it’s time to ditch the brown,” so we did! We chose a lovely blue pallet that reflects the home’s location on the lake which is also vibrant yet easy on the eye. Countertops are white quartz, and the natural oak floor works well with the other honey accents. The breakfast table was given a refresh with new chairs, chandelier and window treatments that frame the gorgeous views of the lake out the back. We coordinated the slate mudroom flooring with that used in the home’s main entrance for a consistent feel. The storage area consists of open and closed storage to allow for some clutter control as needed. Next on our “to do” list was revamping the dated brown bar area in the neighboring dining room. We eliminated the clutter by adding some closed cabinets and did some easy updates to help the space feel more current. One snag we ran into here was the discovery of a beam above the existing open shelving that had to be modified with a smaller structural beam to allow for our new design to work. This was an unexpected surprise, but in the end we think it was well worth it! We kept the colors here a bit more muted to blend with the homeowner’s existing furnishings. Open shelving and polished nickel hardware add some simple detail to the new entertainment zone which also looks out onto the lake! Next we tackled the upstairs starting with the homeowner’s son’s bath. The bath originally had both a tub shower and a separate shower, so we decided to swap out the shower for a new laundry area. This freed up some space downstairs in what used to be the mudroom/laundry room and is much more convenient for daily laundry needs. We continued the blue palette here with navy cabinetry and the navy tile in the shower. Porcelain floor tile and chrome fixtures keep maintenance to a minimum while matte black mirrors and lighting add some depth the design. A low maintenance runner adds some warmth underfoot and ties the whole space together. We added a pocket door to the bathroom to minimize interference with the door swings. The left door of the laundry closet is on a 180 degree hinge to allow for easy full access to the machines. Next we tackled the master bath which is an en suite arrangement. The original was typical of the 1980’s with the vanity outside of the bathroom, situated near the master closet. And the brown theme continued here with multiple shades of brown. Our first move was to segment off the bath and the closet from the master bedroom. We created a short hall from the bedroom to the bathroom with his and hers walk-in closets on the left and right as well as a separate toilet closet outside of the main bathroom for privacy and flexibility. The original bathroom had a giant soaking tub with steps (dangerous!) as well as a small shower that did not work well for our homeowner who is 6’3”. With other bathtubs in the home, they decided to eliminate the tub and create an oversized shower which takes up the space where the old tub was located. The double vanity is on the opposite wall and a bench is located under the window for morning conversations and a place to set a couple of towels. The pallet in here is light and airy with a mix of blond wood, creamy porcelain and marble tile, and brass accents. A simple roman shade adds some texture and it’s top-down mechanism allows for light and privacy. This large whole house remodel gave our homeowners not only the ability to maximize the potential of their home but also created a lovely new frame from which to view their fabulous lake views. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Cochrane Floors & More The stairs were previously covered in carpet that took the brunt of traffic & dirty footwear leaving it as an eyesore when you first walked in the home. To respect continuity and improve functionality we ran the same vinyl planks down the stairs and in the landing providing a seamless visual experience. The flush mounted metal nosings were certainly appreciated by the homeowner giving this staircase a major face-lift!

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional formal and open concept dark wood floor and brown floor living room remodel with gray walls, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace and no tv

TVLIFTCABINET, Inc was established in 2003. Before that, they already had 25 years of experience in designing and manufacturing furniture. Our focus now is on building innovative pop-up TV lift systems, with traditional wood craftsmanship and design. We design and manufacture every element that goes into the consoles, including the TV lift systems and the infrared relays. It is by controlling the design and manufacture of every element that we can be certain of the quality of each console they ship. Because we control all aspects of the creation of our TV Lift consoles, and sell direct to you, our customer, we are also able to offer substantially lower prices than you would find in any traditional furniture store or even nation-wide chain. In fact, our prices are typically half what you would expect to pay for comparable quality elsewhere. All of our products are made with the best of materials and the finest finishes: quality wood stock from pine to oak, cherry and mahogany. Over 20 in-house inspectors then assure that our exacting standards are met throughout the entire TV lift system design, production and packaging process. In addition, we then offer free shipping and a White Glove placement service that ensures your console is installed exactly where you want it, hassle-free. Our commitment is to provide you with TV lift consoles of the very highest quality and reliability, with unmatched service, and for the very best price. If they ever fall short of that goal, please let us know.

Builder: Anchor Builders / Building Design, Plans, and Interior Finishes by Fluidesign Studio / Photographer: Seth Benn Photography
Inspiration for a craftsman entryway remodel in Minneapolis

This home office was created from an outbuilding on the property. Seagrass wall-to-wall carpet was installed for ultimate durability and a relaxed vibe. We employed a high-low aesthetic to create a space that was unique but still within budget, utilizing the owner's Stickley desk, a custom desk chair, custom blush Roman shades, a Hudson Valley Fenwater chandelier and sconces, and multiple office items from budget sources like IKEA and The Container Store. The ceiling is painted Quicksand and walls and trim in White Dove by Benjamin Moore. Photo by Sabrina Cole Quinn Photography.

Project Developer David Waguespack https://www.houzz.com/pro/david-waguespack/david-waguespack-case-design-remodeling-inc Designer Carolyn Elleman https://www.houzz.com/pro/celleman3/carolyn-elleman-case-design-remodeling-inc Photography by Stacy Zarin Goldberg

Example of a cottage chic dining room design in San Francisco

Example of a minimalist home design design in Orange County

Photo by Becky Kimball
Family room - eclectic dark wood floor family room idea in Salt Lake City with white walls

Bench seating in the dining room allows for flexibilty and clean lines. www.marikoreed.com
Mid-sized minimalist ceramic tile kitchen/dining room combo photo in San Francisco with beige walls

Perlick's 15" Signature Series Refrigerated Beauty Drawers are perfect for the storage of natural personal care products, beverages and other items in the master bathroom suite. Energy Star qualified, the drawers feature fully integrated depth to allow a flush fit with surrounding cabinetry. The drawers feature commercial-grade stainless steel interiors, are odor free and accept wood overlays.

Storing pots and pans is a typical struggle for most people. Stacking them provides the frustration of finding a place to store the lids. By adding pull-out drawers inside this 30” cabinet adjacent to the range, the Client has access to all of their cooking tools in reaching distance without having to rearrange the cabinet every time. And the lids? They fit right on top of their matching pot. Rebecca Quandt

'Carmello' tomatoes growing in a large terra-cotta pot. Photo by Steve Masley
Photo of an eclectic landscaping in San Francisco.

Nantucket Architectural Photography
Large beach style master medium tone wood floor bedroom photo in Boston with blue walls, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace

This client came to us with a very clear vision of what she wanted, but she needed help to refine and execute the design. At our first meeting she described her style as somewhere between modern rustic and ‘granny chic’ – she likes cozy spaces with nods to the past, but also wanted to blend that with the more contemporary tastes of her husband and children. Functionally, the old layout was less than ideal with an oddly placed 3-sided fireplace and angled island creating traffic jams in and around the kitchen. By creating a U-shaped layout, we clearly defined the chef’s domain and created a circulation path that limits disruptions in the heart of the kitchen. While still an open concept, the black cabinets, bar height counter and change in flooring all add definition to the space. The vintage inspired black and white tile is a nod to the past while the black stainless range and matte black faucet are unmistakably modern. High on our client’s wish list was eliminating upper cabinets and keeping the countertops clear. In order to achieve this, we needed to ensure there was ample room in the base cabinets and reconfigured pantry for items typically stored above. The full height tile backsplash evokes exposed brick and serves as the backdrop for the custom wood-clad hood and decorative brass sconces – a perfect blend of rustic, modern and chic. Black and brass elements are repeated throughout the main floor in new hardware, lighting, and open shelves as well as the owners’ curated collection of family heirlooms and furnishings. In addition to renovating the kitchen, we updated the entire first floor with refinished hardwoods, new paint, wainscoting, wallcovering and beautiful new stained wood doors. Our client had been dreaming and planning this kitchen for 17 years and we’re thrilled we were able to bring it to life.

TVLIFTCABINET, Inc was established in 2003. Before that, they already had 25 years of experience in designing and manufacturing furniture. Our focus now is on building innovative pop-up TV lift systems, with traditional wood craftsmanship and design. We design and manufacture every element that goes into the consoles, including the TV lift systems and the infrared relays. It is by controlling the design and manufacture of every element that we can be certain of the quality of each console they ship. Because we control all aspects of the creation of our TV Lift consoles, and sell direct to you, our customer, we are also able to offer substantially lower prices than you would find in any traditional furniture store or even nation-wide chain. In fact, our prices are typically half what you would expect to pay for comparable quality elsewhere. All of our products are made with the best of materials and the finest finishes: quality wood stock from pine to oak, cherry and mahogany. Over 20 in-house inspectors then assure that our exacting standards are met throughout the entire TV lift system design, production and packaging process. In addition, we then offer free shipping and a White Glove placement service that ensures your console is installed exactly where you want it, hassle-free. Our commitment is to provide you with TV lift consoles of the very highest quality and reliability, with unmatched service, and for the very best price. If they ever fall short of that goal, please let us know.

John Cole Photography
Shed - modern shed idea in DC Metro