Traditional form meets modern details—and everyone discovers they're quite comfortable with each other. That's the story of our Frankie Armchair, an inviting design with a classic camelback silhouette, flared arms and a deep seat cushion, all built on a birch frame. The fresh addition: Our Dewan Gray upholstery that displays marching elephants and palm trees in a bold pattern done in a subdued neutral.

Timeless Elegance in Seattle's Heart. Step into sophistication with our finished residential house painting work in a charming Seattle neighborhood. The exterior walls, adorned in an elegant light gray hue, exude timeless charm and bring a touch of class to the neighborhood. Our expert team of American classic painters takes pride in transforming this residence into a visual masterpiece, seamlessly blending contemporary aesthetics with the classic allure of subdued tones.

We used cool tones of blue and gray for this client's serene basement renovation project paired with subdued coastal accents. One of our main goals for this project was to transform our client's office space complete with a soft blue and gray accent wall, flat roman window treatment, and walnut floating shelves; as well as subtle gold accents in both the artwork and hardware on this gorgeous custom desk.

We used cool tones of blue and gray for this client's serene basement renovation project paired with subdued coastal accents. One of our main goals for this project was to transform our client's office space complete with a soft blue and gray accent wall, flat roman window treatment, and walnut floating shelves; as well as subtle gold accents in both the artwork and hardware on this gorgeous custom desk.

A new, ground-up attached house facing Cooper Park in Williamsburg Brooklyn. The site is in a row of small 1950s two-story, split-level brick townhouses, some of which have been modified and enlarged over the years and one of which was replaced by this building. The exterior is intentionally subdued, reminiscent of the brick warehouse architecture that occupies much of the neighborhood. In contrast, the interior is bright, dynamic and highly-innovative. In a nod to the original house, nC2 opted to explore the idea of a new, urban version of the split-level home. The house is organized around a stair oriented laterally at its center, which becomes a focal point for the free-flowing spaces that surround it. All of the main spaces of the house - entry hall, kitchen/dining area, living room, mezzanine and a tv room on the top floor - are open to each other and to the main stair. The split-level configuration serves to differentiate these spaces while maintaining the open quality of the house. A four-story high mural by the artist Jerry Inscoe occupies one entire side of the building and creates a dialog with the architecture. Like the building itself, it can only be truly appreciated by moving through the spaces.

Sitting room palette is calming and subdued—perfect for a quiet game of chess with a gin and tonic. Elaine Fredrick Photography
Large transitional open concept light wood floor living room photo in Providence with beige walls and a stone fireplace

We used cool tones of blue and gray for this client's serene basement renovation project paired with subdued coastal accents. One of our main goals for this project was to transform our client's office space complete with a soft blue and gray accent wall, flat roman window treatment, and walnut floating shelves; as well as subtle gold accents in both the artwork and hardware on this gorgeous custom desk.

A new, ground-up attached house facing Cooper Park in Williamsburg Brooklyn. The site is in a row of small 1950s two-story, split-level brick townhouses, some of which have been modified and enlarged over the years and one of which was replaced by this building. The exterior is intentionally subdued, reminiscent of the brick warehouse architecture that occupies much of the neighborhood. In contrast, the interior is bright, dynamic and highly-innovative. In a nod to the original house, nC2 opted to explore the idea of a new, urban version of the split-level home. The house is organized around a stair oriented laterally at its center, which becomes a focal point for the free-flowing spaces that surround it. All of the main spaces of the house - entry hall, kitchen/dining area, living room, mezzanine and a tv room on the top floor - are open to each other and to the main stair. The split-level configuration serves to differentiate these spaces while maintaining the open quality of the house. A four-story high mural by the artist Jerry Inscoe occupies one entire side of the building and creates a dialog with the architecture. Like the building itself, it can only be truly appreciated by moving through the spaces.

Our customer engaged us to use our Rug-Search (tm) service to find a real hand-knotted Persian Kashan rug to provide the quiet foundation to an elegant, but simply decorated, dining room. The rug chosen was of a type sometimes called a "Five Color Kashan" which have been popular in the USA since the 1960's for their limited and subdued palette, intricate detailing, and affordable price-points. (These rugs resemble much more costly Nain rugs for design and color.) This rug is approximately 10 x 13, was produced in Iran, and imported prior to the embargo imposition in 2011. BrandonRugs.com/ Pamela Ward

Gavin Dale is a registered building designer of works primarily focused within the rural landscape of western New South Wales. Origami House looks at the core idea of the iconic Australian rural shed in an exposed environment. Open spaces that contain the necessary activities of daily life that can be easily manipulated to provide for large family gatherings or quieter spaces of reflection. The residence sets out primarily to achieve the expectations of the clients and reinforce the rural context of corrugated iron and raw and robust building materials. Two rectangular ‘tubes’ were aligned to the North then slid apart. This provided for unobstructed views combined with effective cross ventilation. The gabled roof line folds along a branched ridge, which in turn creates a vanishing point for the internal timber lined ceilings. The simple palette of grey metal, Barestone and radial sawn timber blends with the subdued basalt geology and agricultural landscape. This robust exterior is warmed internally by local crushed granite rammed earth thermal mass spline walls. These walls separate bedroom and living spaces that reach out beyond the façade to integrate with the landscaping and provide the robust shelter and protection from the elements.

If you're looking for a more subdued color or design for your kitchen backsplash then perhaps this kitchen can serve as a stunning inspiration. The single colored Subway Tile chosen for this project complements the homeowners Old English inspired trim pieces to create a beautiful and historical look. 4"x8" Subway Tile - 912R Cloudy Sky

This project was a remodel of a home built in the 1960s. The client wanted a modern monochromatic design scheme for the great room and an overall subdued color scheme for the rest of the spaces. Under this design directive the use of texture became vital as a means of creating visual movement and contrasts. The mixture of silks, Belgian linen, sisal wall-covering, and metals combine to create a space that is simultaneously both elegant and comfortable.

Gavin Dale is a registered building designer of works primarily focused within the rural landscape of western New South Wales. Origami House looks at the core idea of the iconic Australian rural shed in an exposed environment. Open spaces that contain the necessary activities of daily life that can be easily manipulated to provide for large family gatherings or quieter spaces of reflection. The residence sets out primarily to achieve the expectations of the clients and reinforce the rural context of corrugated iron and raw and robust building materials. Two rectangular ‘tubes’ were aligned to the North then slid apart. This provided for unobstructed views combined with effective cross ventilation. The gabled roof line folds along a branched ridge, which in turn creates a vanishing point for the internal timber lined ceilings. The simple palette of grey metal, Barestone and radial sawn timber blends with the subdued basalt geology and agricultural landscape. This robust exterior is warmed internally by local crushed granite rammed earth thermal mass spline walls. These walls separate bedroom and living spaces that reach out beyond the façade to integrate with the landscaping and provide the robust shelter and protection from the elements.

Inspiration for a timeless kitchen remodel in Toronto

Rustic yet refined, this modern country retreat blends old and new in masterful ways, creating a fresh yet timeless experience. The structured, austere exterior gives way to an inviting interior. The palette of subdued greens, sunny yellows, and watery blues draws inspiration from nature. Whether in the upholstery or on the walls, trailing blooms lend a note of softness throughout. The dark teal kitchen receives an injection of light from a thoughtfully-appointed skylight; a dining room with vaulted ceilings and bead board walls add a rustic feel. The wall treatment continues through the main floor to the living room, highlighted by a large and inviting limestone fireplace that gives the relaxed room a note of grandeur. Turquoise subway tiles elevate the laundry room from utilitarian to charming. Flanked by large windows, the home is abound with natural vistas. Antlers, antique framed mirrors and plaid trim accentuates the high ceilings. Hand scraped wood flooring from Schotten & Hansen line the wide corridors and provide the ideal space for lounging.

THE SETUP Originally an empty front living room, this space offered a blank canvas for transformation. Alicia’s client — a financial wealth management professional facing a career shift towards more home-based work — was excited to make it her new office. Capitalizing on the space’s abundant natural light, perfect for on-camera meetings, Alicia helped convert the area into a primary workspace. Design Objectives: - Create a functional and professional home office Cultivate an aesthetic that is both comfortable and feminine - Optimize the office for the space’s ideal lighting and provide an appealing background for virtual meetings Design Challenges: - Transforming a large, undefined space into a structured, functional office - Selecting a color palette that enhances focus and professionalism, balanced with a feminine touch - Strategically placing the desk to maximize functionality and aesthetics within the large area Incorporating solutions for effective real-time stock trade tracking and analog task management THE RENEWED SPACE Design Solutions: Workspace Configuration: Centered the desk to utilize indirect light, ideal for video calls, while providing a commanding view of the office, the outdoors and the entrance. A floor-installed power outlet under the desk ensures a clean, cord-free setup. Aesthetic and Palette: Anchored by a striking wallpaper chosen by the client, Alicia developed a soft, neutral color scheme that complements the room’s black window frames and maintains a feminine touch. Digital Integration: Included a screen dedicated to monitoring daily stock trends, positioned for easy viewing. The energy efficient monitor doubles as artwork when not in use, seamlessly blending functionality with style. Organizational Features: Implemented dual large bulletin boards for task and project tracking, integrating them aesthetically with custom cabinetry and interesting, yet subdued, fabric backing. Our client is thrilled with her new home office, which not only meets her professional needs but also adds comfort and style to her daily work routine. The space is highly functional for both solo work and client appointments, providing a perfect blend of business professionalism and personal comfort. It embodies the essence of a #girlboss, combining a professional atmosphere with feminine elegance, making every workday enjoyable and productive.

Cover of the HOUSE Magazines Best of Kitchens & Baths (Jan/Feb 2015) issue. Homeowners of this waterfront Island Park, NY home wanted to create a space that was classic, functional and most importantly a centerpiece of their home. Entertaining among family & friends was key. Elegant and subdue details were preferred over the extravagant or ornate. Cabinetry was built by Crystal Cabinet Works using their Keyline Series. The Deephaven Doorstyle in a Beaded Inset frame and Frosty White Matte Finish fulfilled all their requirements and more!

Using multiple colours doesn’t mean you need to bring in bright, striking shades. You can layer muted hues to create a sophisticated space. In one of our latest projects, our client selected greenish-brown colour wrap for the island cabinets and off-white wrap for the other cabinets for a minimalist look that is subdued yet still stylish. In order for these two-toned cabinets to not look mismatched, we used black handles and knobs, Sigma Quartz White countertops and Euro Square profile on the doors throughout the kitchen.

We wanted to create a comfortable and tranquil retreat in this sunroom, a place where my clients could lounge and escape the world. We used oversized chaises, a soft color story, and interesting textures to accomplish this relaxed aesthetic. We layered warm, sandy creams and soft grays to create a casual, monochromatic palette that lends itself to a more subdued eclectic vibe and a truly relaxed atmosphere. We also made sure to incorporate a whole jungle worth of plants! Plants are the best way to bring life into your home. Not only do plants beautify your space, but they also have some pretty wonderful health benefits! They detoxify your home by improving indoor air quality. They are also known to boost your mood & lift your spirit!