Search results for "Struggle" in Home Design Ideas

This growing family of six was struggling with a dysfunctional kitchen design. The center island had been installed at an odd angle that limited accessibility and traffic flow. Additionally, storage space was limited by poor cabinet design. Finally, doorways in and out of the kitchen were narrow and poorly located, especially for children dashing in and out.
Other design challenges included how to better use a 10’ x 12’ room for children’s jackets and toys and how to add a professional-quality gas range in a neighborhood were natural gas wasn’t available. The new design would address all of these issues.
DESIGN SOLUTIONS
The new kitchen design revolves around a more proportional island. Carefully placed in the center of the new space with seating for four, it includes a prep sink, a second dishwasher and a beverage center.
The distressed ebony-stained island and hutch provides a brilliant contrast between the white color cabinetry. White Carrera marble countertops and backsplash top both island and perimeter cabinets.
Tall, double stacked cabinetry lines two walls to maximize storage space. Across the room there was an unused wall that now contains a 36” tower fridge and freezer, both covered with matching panels, and a tall cabinet that contains a microwave, steam unit and warming drawer.
A propane tank was buried in the back yard to provide gas to a new 60” professional range and cooktop. A custom-made wood mantel hood blends perfectly with the cabinet style.
The old laundry room was reconfigured to have lots of locker space for all kids and added cabinetry for storage. A double entry door separated the new mudroom from the rest of the back hall. In the back hall the back windows were replaced with a set of French door and added decking to create a direct access to deck and backyard.
The end result is an open floor plan, high-end appliances, great traffic flow and pleasing colors. The homeowner calls it the “kitchen of her dreams.”

This young family began working with us after struggling with their previous contractor. They were over budget and not achieving what they really needed with the addition they were proposing. Rather than extend the existing footprint of their house as had been suggested, we proposed completely changing the orientation of their separate kitchen, living room, dining room, and sunroom and opening it all up to an open floor plan. By changing the configuration of doors and windows to better suit the new layout and sight lines, we were able to improve the views of their beautiful backyard and increase the natural light allowed into the spaces. We raised the floor in the sunroom to allow for a level cohesive floor throughout the areas. Their extended kitchen now has a nice sitting area within the kitchen to allow for conversation with friends and family during meal prep and entertaining. The sitting area opens to a full dining room with built in buffet and hutch that functions as a serving station. Conscious thought was given that all “permanent” selections such as cabinetry and countertops were designed to suit the masses, with a splash of this homeowner’s individual style in the double herringbone soft gray tile of the backsplash, the mitred edge of the island countertop, and the mixture of metals in the plumbing and lighting fixtures. Careful consideration was given to the function of each cabinet and organization and storage was maximized. This family is now able to entertain their extended family with seating for 18 and not only enjoy entertaining in a space that feels open and inviting, but also enjoy sitting down as a family for the simple pleasure of supper together.

Vistafolia's luxurious foliage panels provided the perfect decorative screening solution for this classic formal garden in Hampstead, London, harmonizing beautifully with the conventional elegance of the scheme.
Privacy screening with the customary trellis from the neighboring property posed a problem in the shady boundary space, as real planting would struggle without sufficient natural light. The client also desired an attractive green backdrop to improve the visual appeal of the bust sculpture as well as the handsome formal trees lining the perimeter.
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A view from the lawn looking back at the house. The sedge in the tree well creates the feeling of more lawn while keeping mowers and weedwhackers away from struggling oaks.

This project was such an incredible design opportunity, and instilled inspiration and excitement at every turn! Our amazing clients came to us with the challenge of converting their beloved family home into a welcoming haven for all members of the family. At the time that we met our clients, they were struggling with the difficult personal decision of the fate of the home. Their father/father-in-law had passed away and their mother/mother-in-law had recently been admitted into a nursing facility and was fighting Alzheimer’s. Resistant to loss of the home now that both parents were out of it, our clients purchased the home to keep in in the family. Despite their permanent home currently being in New Jersey, these clients dedicated themselves to keeping and revitalizing the house. We were moved by the story and became immediately passionate about bringing this dream to life.
The home was built by the parents of our clients and was only ever owned by them, making this a truly special space to the family. Our goal was to revitalize the home and to bring new energy into every room without losing the special characteristics that were original to the home when it was built. In this way, we were able to develop a house that maintains its own unique personality while offering a space of welcoming neutrality for all members of the family to enjoy over time.
The renovation touched every part of the home: the exterior, foyer, kitchen, living room, sun room, garage, six bedrooms, three bathrooms, the laundry room, and everything in between. The focus was to develop a style that carried consistently from space to space, but allowed for unique expression in the small details in every room.
Starting at the entry, we renovated the front door and entry point to offer more presence and to bring more of the mid-century vibe to the home’s exterior. We integrated a new modern front door, cedar shingle accents, new exterior paint, and gorgeous contemporary house numbers that really allow the home to stand out. Just inside the entry, we renovated the foyer to create a playful entry point worthy of attention. Cement look tile adorns the foyer floor, and we’ve added new lighting and upgraded the entry coat storage.
Upon entering the home, one will immediately be captivated by the stunning kitchen just off the entry. We transformed this space in just about every way. While the footprint of the home ultimately remained almost identical, the aesthetics were completely turned on their head. We re-worked the kitchen to maximize storage and to create an informal dining area that is great for casual hosting or morning coffee.
We removed the entry to the garage that was once in the informal dining, and created a peninsula in its place that offers a unique division between the kitchen/informal dining and the formal dining and living areas. The simple light warm light gray cabinetry offers a bit of traditional elegance, along with the marble backsplash and quartz countertops. We extended the original wood flooring into the kitchen and stained all floors to match for a warmth that truly resonates through all spaces. We upgraded appliances, added lighting everywhere, and finished the space with some gorgeous mid century furniture pieces.
In the formal dining and living room, we really focused on maintaining the original marble fireplace as a focal point. We cleaned the marble, repaired the mortar, and refinished the original fireplace screen to give a new sleek look in black. We then integrated a new gas insert for modern heating and painted the upper portion in a rich navy blue; an accent that is carried through the home consistently as a nod to our client’s love of the color.
The former entry into the old covered porch is now an elegant glass door leading to a stunning finished sunroom. This room was completely upgraded as well. We wrapped the entire space in cozy white shiplap to keep a casual feel with brightness. We tiled the floor with large format concrete look tile, and painted the old brick fireplace a bright white. We installed a new gas burning unit, and integrated transitional style lighting to bring warmth and elegance into the space. The new black-frame windows are adorned with decorative shades that feature hand-sketched bird prints, and we’ve created a dedicated garden-ware “nook” for our client who loves to work in the yard. The far end of this space is completed with two oversized chaise loungers and overhead lights…the most perfect little reading nook!
Just off the dining room, we created an entirely new space to the home: a mudroom. The clients lacked this space and desperately needed a landing spot upon entering the home from the garage. We uniquely planned existing space in the garage to utilize for this purpose, and were able to create a small but functional entry point without losing the ability to park cars in the garage. This new space features cement-look tile, gorgeous deep brown cabinetry, and plenty of storage for all the small items one might need to store while moving in and out of the home.
The remainder of the upstairs level includes massive renovations to the guest hall bathroom and guest bedroom, upstairs master bed/bath suite, and a third bedroom that we converted into a home office for the client.
Some of the largest transformations were made in the basement, where unfinished space and lack of light were converted into gloriously lit, cozy, finished spaces. Our first task was to convert the massive basement living room into the new master bedroom for our clients. We removed existing built-ins, created an entirely new walk-in closet, painted the old brick fireplace, installed a new gas unit, added carpet, introduced new lighting, replaced windows, and upgraded every part of the aesthetic appearance. One of the most incredible features of this space is the custom double sliding barn door made by a Denver artisan. This space is truly a retreat for our clients!
We also completely transformed the laundry room, back storage room, basement master bathroom, and two bedrooms.
This home’s massive scope and ever-evolving challenges were thrilling and exciting to work with, and the result is absolutely amazing. At the end of the day, this home offers a look and feel that the clients love. Above all, though, the clients feel the spirit of their family home and have a welcoming environment for all members of the family to enjoy for years to come.

Patterned Tile Done Right — The Bathroom That Gets All the Details Perfect”
A clean, modern bathroom remodel completed in 6 working days, built around one key challenge: 12x12 patterned wall tile that must align perfectly across every wall.
This is where most contractors struggle — but when done right, the result looks like custom artwork.
What we delivered:
? Patterned Walls
12x12 tile installed with full pattern continuity. Every line aligns — no mismatched motifs, no visual breaks.
We flattened walls first to ensure clean geometry.
? Floors
24x24 porcelain tile over a Schluter anti-vibration membrane — stable, durable, quiet.
? Full Waterproofing
Schluter + GoBoard system across all wet areas for long-term protection.
? Perfect Plumbing Alignment
Shower head, valve, and faucet set in a single laser-straight vertical line.
? Mitered Niche & Window
45° edges and pattern continuation create a “hidden niche” effect — seamless and high-end.
? Lighting Upgrade
New wall-mounted fixtures for balanced, soft illumination.
? Floor Transitions
Bathroom floor leveled to match the adjacent carpet with no transition strips — clean, modern finish.
With Mi Tile Installation Experts you get:
✔️ Full turn-key service
✔️ Anti-Surprise Estimate
✔️ Daily updates + 24/7 communication
✔️ Verified waterproofing photos
✔️ Official warranty
Want your remodel done right the first time?
Comment AUDIT for a free professional project review.
? MikhailBelov37@gmail.com
? micatile.info

Once a warehouse, bustling with activity. Now, the activity comes in the form of its many residences, following a multi-million-dollar renovation that converted the space into luxury penthouse suites and apartments. And though the top floor apartments afford the homeowner a great view the grey air-conditioning unit at the end of each stretch leave a little bit to be desired. Up high, a real wall would no doubt struggle to survive the wind and would certainly be too heavy to mount onto the existing wall.

After: Heat, shade, and dry conditions all contributed to this homeowner's struggle to grow and maintain natural grass. With turf installation, we were able to help them trade time maintaining their yard for time enjoying their yard.

Joanne Shaw - Down2Earth Landscape Design
This design successfully adds curb appeal, eliminates the maintenance of a struggling lawn and creates a beautiful sounding oasis with this front yard water feature. The plants were planted to have interest in all seasons and once established will be low maintenance for these garden loving clients. The updated front entrance is now a wonderful feature of this home.

Finding the right sheets supplier can be a challenge when your business demands consistent quality, competitive pricing, and reliable bulk availability. Whether you’re sourcing for hospitality, healthcare, manufacturing, or retail, buyers often struggle to find sheets that meet exact specifications and bulk requirements. That’s why we offer a wide range of sheets, available in multiple materials, sizes, finishes, and grades, so you can easily match your operational needs and budget without compromising on quality.
Through pipex.ai, a trusted B2B online marketplace, buyers can seamlessly connect with verified sellers offering competitive pricing and consistent supply. Our platform simplifies procurement by bringing multiple options under one roof - helping you compare, negotiate, and source sheets with confidence. If you’re facing challenges in purchasing the right sheets, Pipex.ai makes the process faster, more transparent, and tailored to your business goals.

Our clients wanted to increase the size of their kitchen, which was small, in comparison to the overall size of the home. They wanted a more open livable space for the family to be able to hang out downstairs. They wanted to remove the walls downstairs in the front formal living and den making them a new large den/entering room. They also wanted to remove the powder and laundry room from the center of the kitchen, giving them more functional space in the kitchen that was completely opened up to their den. The addition was planned to be one story with a bedroom/game room (flex space), laundry room, bathroom (to serve as the on-suite to the bedroom and pool bath), and storage closet. They also wanted a larger sliding door leading out to the pool.
We demoed the entire kitchen, including the laundry room and powder bath that were in the center! The wall between the den and formal living was removed, completely opening up that space to the entry of the house. A small space was separated out from the main den area, creating a flex space for them to become a home office, sitting area, or reading nook. A beautiful fireplace was added, surrounded with slate ledger, flanked with built-in bookcases creating a focal point to the den. Behind this main open living area, is the addition. When the addition is not being utilized as a guest room, it serves as a game room for their two young boys. There is a large closet in there great for toys or additional storage. A full bath was added, which is connected to the bedroom, but also opens to the hallway so that it can be used for the pool bath.
The new laundry room is a dream come true! Not only does it have room for cabinets, but it also has space for a much-needed extra refrigerator. There is also a closet inside the laundry room for additional storage. This first-floor addition has greatly enhanced the functionality of this family’s daily lives. Previously, there was essentially only one small space for them to hang out downstairs, making it impossible for more than one conversation to be had. Now, the kids can be playing air hockey, video games, or roughhousing in the game room, while the adults can be enjoying TV in the den or cooking in the kitchen, without interruption! While living through a remodel might not be easy, the outcome definitely outweighs the struggles throughout the process.

Stewart Bird
Inspiration for a small rustic l-shaped vinyl floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Vancouver with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, laminate countertops, stainless steel appliances and an island
Inspiration for a small rustic l-shaped vinyl floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Vancouver with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, laminate countertops, stainless steel appliances and an island

This project was for a long time client of mine who lives in a wonderful patio home with a finished basement. There were several challenges with which to contend. First, as you enter the Foyer, all of the spaces are open to each other so we had to make sure everything worked together. Second, furniture arrangement had always been a struggle for the large living area with the fireplace on an angled corner wall and large built-in. Last, although the homeowner loves color – especially blue/greens – we had to convince her to bring it into her home as an accent and make it work with the other spaces.
We started with a neutral sofa positioned across from the built-ins and paired it with a settee in a blue/green fabric. The settee does not block the fireplace and reinforces our color scheme. The homeowner upgraded her husband’s chair and ottoman with a contemporary leather one, and we added a perfectly scaled swivel chair to the corner next to the built-ins. We finished off the space with a mixture of unique accent tables including a beautiful coffee table with wood inlay, a small metal french drink table, a two-tiered egg shaped table, and a pedestal table with marble top. We added lighting, artwork and accessories to the built-ins and tables to complete the space. We also added blue/green accessories to the breakfast area to make the spaces flow seamlessly.
We love how these spaces in the Open Concept Redesign turned out. It is a very pleasing palette that does not overwhelm the spaces, but adds interest. Enjoy!

This homeowner was struggling with tree roots in the lawn, dying trees, grass that wouldn't grow, lack of circulation around the house, creek stabilization in the backyard, and now outdoor living spaces.

House of Ruby Interior Design’s philosophy is one of relaxed sophistication. With an extensive knowledge of materials, craftsmanship and color, we create warm, layered interiors which have become the hallmark of our firm.
With each project, House of Ruby Interior Design develops a close relationship with the client and strives to celebrate their individuality, interests, and daily essentials for living and entertaining. We are dedicated to creating environments that are distinctive and highly livable.
Photo Credit: Kira Shemano Photography

Concrete: Davis Gray 25, sand blasted for patina effect
Pool Primera Stone Hematite
Turf : System Pavers premium turf
Fence Ipe Wood with Penofin clear stain

Exterior Wall Cladding: The Ultimate Patio Makeover ?️?
Modern design that actually survives the Irish weather. Take a look at this stunning transformation by the team at Four Seasons Plantscapes.
By choosing our Grey Exterior Wall Panelling, they achieved that sleek, contemporary finish that—let’s be honest—traditional timber just can’t maintain in Ireland without a constant struggle. ???
Why this makeover works:
Architectural Contrast: Clean grey lines that make the garden greenery pop.
Total Resilience: 100% waterproof. No rot, no warping, no drama.
Zero Maintenance: The luxury look of wood without ever picking up a sander or paintbrush again. ??
Professional Finish: Flawless install thanks to our specialized tongue-and-groove system.
It’s the perfect example of how the right materials turn a standard garden into a proper outdoor sanctuary. ☕️?

After struggling to find the right contractor to build their pool deck these clients met with us and explained what their ideal deck would look like. We guided them through our design process and came up with a plan to build their dream deck. We coordinated with building inspection, utility companies and the pool installer to insure everything would go smoothly. We stated construction and were able to complete the project in just 3 weeks. The clients are now enjoying the deck with their kids and grandkids.
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