StoneArt is a new range in laminate design that embodies the trend toward large-sized stone finishes. Thanks to its special three-dimensional surface, StoneArt turns the décor Grey slate reproduction into a front with exceptional aesthetics and natural appearance. The perfect match for this décor is upright panels and worktops in the new design Xtra. Flush mounted hot plates and sinks reinforce this modern, straightforward look.

Michael Moran/OTTO photography. The objective of this award-winning gut renovation was to create a spatially dynamic, light-filled, and energy-efficient home with a strong connection to Long Island Sound. The design strategy is straightforward: a gabled roof covers a central “spine” corridor that terminates with cathedral ceilinged spaces at both ends. The relocated approach and entry deposit visitors into the front hall with its curvilinear, cantilevered stair. A two-story, windowed family gathering space lies ahead – a straight shot to the water beyond. The design challenge was to utilize the existing house footprint and structure, while raising the top of foundation walls to exceed new flood regulations, reconfiguring the spatial organization, and using innovative materials to produce a tight thermal envelope and contemporary yet contextually appropriate facades.

From Greek meaning “to float,” Pléo is a design that lifts elegant, modern form up off of the floor. Featuring a stylized, hourglass shaped bowl and a softly rounded actuator plate framed in smoky white glass, the Pléo wall-mounted toilet is a model of clean design. The dual-flush actuator buttons are intuitive to the touch with firm actuation. The bowl shape smoothly conforms to the wall in a straightforward approach and is proportionately scaled to fit any surrounding. Pléo on KALLISTA.com | http://bit.ly/1jXw1li

This project took us a bit off our usual path—and we loved the challenge. It began as a straightforward bid to re-side a local HOA’s swimming pool patio using Hardie stucco panels. But as the scope expanded, so did our role. We were tapped to completely rebuild their bathrooms to meet ADA compliance standards. With no air conditioning in the space, we chose materials built to perform: Hardie stucco sheet paired with Sherwin Williams Rain Refresh Paint throughout. It was a project outside our typical scope, but thanks to our versatile and skilled team, we delivered results that exceeded expectations. Got a unique project in mind? Let’s talk about how our team can bring your vision to life—no matter how outside the box it may be.

This bathroom in Little Paxton is a great example of how thoughtful design and careful planning can turn a tricky space into something beautifully simple. We recently supplied and installed this lovely en-suite bathroom for a customer in Little Paxton. With a sloping ceiling, the room had its challenges — but by making a few changes at design stage, we were able to create space for sensible storage and a generous shower. The original subfloor wasn’t solid and the tiles had cracked, so the room had to be completely stripped out and repaired. Once the groundwork was done, we carried out all the electrics, plumbing, plastering, and tiling, along with underfloor heating and Calacatta-style wall panels in the shower. This bathroom has a clean, contemporary feel. The floor tiles were chosen to complement the wall panels in the shower, keeping the design cohesive throughout. A glass shower enclosure keeps things open, while the splashback of blue-green tiles behind the sink adds a pop of colour. Silver-toned fittings and an oval countertop basin bring a polished, modern finish to the room. It may not be a large space, but this one came together beautifully. A straightforward layout, clean finishes, and a touch of luxury where it counts. Simple, effective and elegant. Love it!

A modern home with traditional forms and straightforward detailing combines painted brick, lap siding and antique wood structural elements to create a one-of-a-kind home on a 2.4 acre relatively flat lot. A circular drive partially screened by low brick walls and strategically placed landscaping brings you onto the site where one can make a stop at the porte-cochère drop off on their way to the garage or continue to a welcoming front porch. This 2-story home has 5 bedrooms and 5 ½ baths with 6,125 sq. ft. of conditioned spaces and a total of 9,731 sq. ft. under roof. As you enter an intimate sized foyer, there’s a dining room to the right that opens to the kitchen and features a large picture window facing the front yard with a ceiling with white oak beams. Straight ahead you’re led to a living room that features a pre-cast stone fireplace mantle and painted coffered ceilings. It is part of a great room with a kitchen and large island that continues with white oak accents in some of the cabinetry. Pairs of arched openings and a pocket door flank each end of the room leading to a scullery kitchen on one end and to guest bedroom and master bedroom suites on the other. The outdoor cooking and living areas are conveniently located thru French doors right off the great room and a game room that is part of the house that extends into the back yard providing great access and views to a pool and a basketball sport court. An outdoor fireplace adds a cozy touch to a seating area that is next to the outdoor cooking and dining area. The master bedroom suite is positioned to take advantage of views to the backyard and also has access to a back porch. Easy access is provided to a well-appointed master bath that leads to his and her closets. Upstairs there are 3 more bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms and walk-in closets. An office is also provided which is positioned above the dining room below so that it shares the continuation of the large picture window idea that affords beautiful views of the front yard and a lake across the street. A small common area located off the stair landing provides a place for the kids to hang out.

For this kitchen, designed by Peter Bittner, the client had a very clear idea of what she wanted right from the start. She did her research. The mother of a fast growing, young family, she wanted something as efficient as it was beautiful – on the simple, yet elegant side. Her requests were straightforward: white and light grey Bilotta cabinetry in a transitional style so as not to compete with the detailing inside her 1950s Tudor-style home; a heated tile floor (By Rye Ridge Tile); stainless appliances; white subway tile backsplash by Walker Zanger (again to keep it clean and not compete with its surroundings); and seating at the island for snacks and homework. The “pop” suggested by Peter was done through the satin brass hardware and lighting fixtures. The real challenge with this space was to fit as much as possible into the existing footprint which was overall on the smaller side. The solution was eliminating a doorway (with a swinging door that opened into the kitchen) and stairs from the kitchen to the basement. By moving the stairs and doorway, the usable space increased considerably. The typical working triangle became the focus for one side of the kitchen and the island overhang and seating became available on the other side. To make up for the limited amount of wall cabinets Peter designed shallow pantry-style cabinets along the back wall. Quartz Countertops by Rom Stone Fabrication. Designer: Peter Bittner Photographer: Peter Krupenye

A fully tiled walk-in shower with large-format charcoal tile, a built-in bench, hex mosaic floor tile, and a recessed niche. The details here are straightforward and well-executed, the kind of shower that holds up over time.

This super-efficient European-style closet mixes warm tones with high-gloss accents for a stunning effect. • European-inspired Virtuoso system creates a modern look. • Lago® Milano Grey finish adds to the modern feel. • High-gloss, solid acrylic Parapan drawer faces in Cappuccino finish offer a sleek and light touch to the color palette. • Matte Aluminum poles add texture and hanging space. • Push-to-open drawer hardware ensures ease of use. • Minimalist design offers elegant yet straightforward storage and organization.

A modern home with traditional forms and straightforward detailing combines painted brick, lap siding and antique wood structural elements to create a one-of-a-kind home on a 2.4 acre relatively flat lot. A circular drive partially screened by low brick walls and strategically placed landscaping brings you onto the site where one can make a stop at the porte-cochère drop off on their way to the garage or continue to a welcoming front porch. This 2-story home has 5 bedrooms and 5 ½ baths with 6,125 sq. ft. of conditioned spaces and a total of 9,731 sq. ft. under roof. As you enter an intimate sized foyer, there’s a dining room to the right that opens to the kitchen and features a large picture window facing the front yard with a ceiling with white oak beams. Straight ahead you’re led to a living room that features a pre-cast stone fireplace mantle and painted coffered ceilings. It is part of a great room with a kitchen and large island that continues with white oak accents in some of the cabinetry. Pairs of arched openings and a pocket door flank each end of the room leading to a scullery kitchen on one end and to guest bedroom and master bedroom suites on the other. The outdoor cooking and living areas are conveniently located thru French doors right off the great room and a game room that is part of the house that extends into the back yard providing great access and views to a pool and a basketball sport court. An outdoor fireplace adds a cozy touch to a seating area that is next to the outdoor cooking and dining area. The master bedroom suite is positioned to take advantage of views to the backyard and also has access to a back porch. Easy access is provided to a well-appointed master bath that leads to his and her closets. Upstairs there are 3 more bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms and walk-in closets. An office is also provided which is positioned above the dining room below so that it shares the continuation of the large picture window idea that affords beautiful views of the front yard and a lake across the street. A small common area located off the stair landing provides a place for the kids to hang out.

The desire for a modern, energy efficient home on a modest budget necessitated a tight plan and simple, durable materials. The uncomplicated program consists of an open plan living space, master suite and home office, all with ample connection to the outdoors. Straightforward construction techniques yield light-filled volumes that take advantage of passive heating and natural ventilation. Coming in at a modest 1,700 square feet of living space with a 200 square foot detached garage, this dwelling delivers all the comforts of home in a compact package.

Location: Austin, Texas, United States 5,400 sf house in the Texas Hill Country outside Austin. The house sits that the start of a narrow ravine that opens up to views of the hills to the north. The entry and approach to the house is purposely modest and the house reveals itself as one enters. The great room features 10' tall sliding glass doors and a 14' high ceiling. James Bruce Photography

The balance of form and function is the hallmark of modern design. This staircase is a perfect example of that elegant simplicity. The dark-stained treads, newels, and smooth wood handrail create a rich foundation, while the parallel horizontal stainless steel rods add a sleek touch. With a beautiful overlook from the second floor, the staircase serves as a stunning focal point for the home. However, it's the interplay between the dark wood and gleaming steel elements that truly sets this project apart, demonstrating how material contrast can elevate a straightforward design into something memorable. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Photo by Jim Raycroft Our client for this project, an amateur pianist, wanted to create a music room for a nice new piano he was planning to purchase. The project scope would also include a new kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and living space, but the new piano was the priority. LIFTING THE CEILING The client was moving into a row house, and hoped to accommodate occasional gatherings of musician friends for informal recitals. Because acoustics were important we asked sound engineers from Acentech to visit the site. They noted that the ideal space would have higher ceilings and would be more like a cube than the “half a cube” we were dealing with. “How can we raise the ceiling and make the space a cube?” our client asked. Designer Josy Raycroft started to explore the possibility of combining the second and third floor units by removing the front half of second floor ceiling, thereby opening up a 2-story music space in the shape of a nearly perfect cube. Thus, the project turned from a straightforward floor plan modification into a complete reimagining of the whole row house, with the client’s new Steinway D as the focal point. Josy and the client started with the piano and created the space around it. ADDRESSING EVERYDAY NEEDS For the client’s more mundane needs, Josy switched the location of the bathroom and kitchen—moving the bathroom towards the middle of the second floor where it would be convenient to the rest of the spaces, and placing the kitchen towards the back. The remainder of the third floor was transformed into bedroom and office space open to the music room below. Products and finishes coordinator Karin Mahdavi worked with the client to select understated finishes for the living spaces so that they would support the piano room without competing with it. As a result the living spaces flow seamlessly into the piano space, creating a coherent whole out of the different parts, kind of like a Schubert piano sonata.

The Home The St. Julien features a flex space that is designed as a sitting area for gathering the family. As you walk upstairs, the kitchen features a large eat-in island that looks into the great room. Off the kitchen is a space that functions as an office or homework area. Moving through the great room, the sliding glass door opens to a spacious deck. Upstairs features two secondary bedrooms and a primary suite. The master suite bathroom includes a walk-in shower, walk-in closet and separate water closet. The Builder As a local, privately held homebuilder and community developer, Oakwood Homes pioneers new standards for livable luxury. We innovate through purposeful and efficient design, always using local materials, manufacturers and resources. We also provide an engaging yet straightforward homebuying experience that’s unmatched in the industry. Our mission is simple: to create luxury homes that are accessible and personable at every budget – for homebuyers in every stage of life. The Interior Design The interior design of this home has a natural feeling to it with earth tones and light woods that brings the outdoors in. To achieve this, a soft, sage green and denim blue were used with a wheat tone to pull in the wood and create a balanced palette. Unique patterns in the rugs and art add points of interest, and natural textures in the linens and softgoods provide contrast. A hint of craftsman design rounds out the space and provides a comforting home in which to gather.

Enhance your Huntington Beach home with Katz Design & Builders! We mix Huntington Beach's laid-back vibe with modern style for cool, sturdy spaces. Enjoy a straightforward process from beginning to end. Think about giving your home a fresh look that wows guests and family. Contact us to start your project. Have a great weekend! Katz Design & Builders – where style is simple and chic!

Pro-Painting & Drywall, Inc. Trim and baseboards Purpose and Protection Trim and baseboards help protect both you and your flooring as they cover edges, joints, and gaps in flooring. This includes transitions between flooring types and levels. When your new flooring meets carpet in a doorway, you can use an end cap to connect the two and prevent exposed edges. Or, if you find a small height difference between your new laminate floor and your kitchen tiles, T-molding covers the gap to prevent tripping or damage to either floor. For these sometimes-tricky situations, our range of T-molds, reducers, overlap reducers, and threshold moldings offer straightforward solutions. Trim and baseboards also protect your walls from the stains, dents, and water damage that comes with everyday living. This includes water from wet mopping, dents from vacuum cleaners, and scuffs from shoes, toys, and furniture. Call today 904-731-6471

Brilliant crest shapes grace any minimalist room with their feather-light presence. A straightforward trio of cables affix to a sleek crossbar and layer industrial ease with the intrigue of a net sprinkled with up to 400 Swarovski crystals. This style amplifies the energy of a room with a deliberately simple design that accentuates any home’s exquisite qualities.

From a modest East End bungalow to a striking three-storey custom home — our Dundas St E project was anything but straightforward. When we began demolition, we discovered the house sat on a former landfill site, which created serious structural challenges. Instead of seeing a problem, we saw an opportunity to apply innovative engineering. Our team designed and installed a foundation system using helical piles and structured footings, creating a rock-solid base for the new build. This project proves that no matter how complex the site conditions, smart design and skilled construction can transform challenges into stunning results. The proof? This home sold within two days of hitting the market.