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.

The client’s brief was to create a space reminiscent of their beloved downtown Chicago industrial loft, in a rural farm setting, while incorporating their unique collection of vintage and architectural salvage. The result is a custom designed space that blends life on the farm with an industrial sensibility. The new house is located on approximately the same footprint as the original farm house on the property. Barely visible from the road due to the protection of conifer trees and a long driveway, the house sits on the edge of a field with views of the neighbouring 60 acre farm and creek that runs along the length of the property. The main level open living space is conceived as a transparent social hub for viewing the landscape. Large sliding glass doors create strong visual connections with an adjacent barn on one end and a mature black walnut tree on the other. The house is situated to optimize views, while at the same time protecting occupants from blazing summer sun and stiff winter winds. The wall to wall sliding doors on the south side of the main living space provide expansive views to the creek, and allow for breezes to flow throughout. The wrap around aluminum louvered sun shade tempers the sun. The subdued exterior material palette is defined by horizontal wood siding, standing seam metal roofing and large format polished concrete blocks. The interiors were driven by the owners’ desire to have a home that would properly feature their unique vintage collection, and yet have a modern open layout. Polished concrete floors and steel beams on the main level set the industrial tone and are paired with a stainless steel island counter top, backsplash and industrial range hood in the kitchen. An old drinking fountain is built-in to the mudroom millwork, carefully restored bi-parting doors frame the library entrance, and a vibrant antique stained glass panel is set into the foyer wall allowing diffused coloured light to spill into the hallway. Upstairs, refurbished claw foot tubs are situated to view the landscape. The double height library with mezzanine serves as a prominent feature and quiet retreat for the residents. The white oak millwork exquisitely displays the homeowners’ vast collection of books and manuscripts. The material palette is complemented by steel counter tops, stainless steel ladder hardware and matte black metal mezzanine guards. The stairs carry the same language, with white oak open risers and stainless steel woven wire mesh panels set into a matte black steel frame. The overall effect is a truly sublime blend of an industrial modern aesthetic punctuated by personal elements of the owners’ storied life. Photography: James Brittain

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.

Ken Wyner
Open concept kitchen - mid-sized transitional u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen idea in DC Metro with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Open floor plan kitchen with expansive views of the lake. Modern flat panel kitchen cabinets are subdued and help draw the eye up and out to the beautiful mountains and lake. Kitchen equipped with one large picture window, tilt turn window for ventilation and a large lift and slide door that leads to the deck.

This master suite underwent a major transformation and the biggest part of that (literally and physically) was removing the large Jacuzzi tub sitting in the middle of the room. By reorienting the tub along the width of the room, it opened up the center of the space for a large modern double vanity. The shower combined with the tub feature into a nook that was bedecked in a beautiful shell mosaic. The mosaic lined all the interior walls including a built in shelving area, bench, and custom wall. Easily the most special feature in this space is the resin panels that had been inserted into two partials walls positioned on opposite sides of the room. A mod floral pattern in a subdued lime green compliment the shell tiles and allows light to diffuse into the tub area. The opposite side provides a bit of privacy for the privy, and balances the composition as a whole. The white double vanity with a Carrera marble top and classic chrome fixtures adds a touch of class to the contemporary space. The ceramic wood plank floor tiles in a white washed finish add aesthetic warmth underfoot. Kiwi green walls sit above a staggered white subway tile wainscot that wraps around the perimeter, with a cool gray paint surround the resin panels. A unique and fun space, our design team had a blast creating this design with the homeowner.

Contrasting wall paint and stark white wainscoting makes a bold statement, yet the subdued hue keeps the overall effect tranquil in the formal dining room of the Sienna model.

A blossoming traditional carpet with an intricate network of floral vines. Barrow offers a lifetime of beautiful style for interiors. Sandy tones adorned in subdued accents of light orange, grey and taupe.

Example of a mid-sized country 3/4 beige tile and stone tile mosaic tile floor and beige floor alcove shower design in Miami with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops and a hinged shower door

If “desert retro” could be translated as a design style, this MCM-inspired kitchen would be it. Our goal for these clients — a young couple who recently relocated to the Pittsburgh-area from Phoenix, AZ — was to bring a touch of the sunny Sonoran into their new home. This subdued, sun-bleached palette feels both vibrant and earthy. A dramatic, shifting landscape that comes alive with the day’s changing light. Large format terrazzo tiles ground the space with muted, dusty green, ochre and amber. A nod to the tough skins of cacti, agave, and creosote bushes. A mixed finish glass tile backsplash adds pale yellow accents found in parched sand dunes. Three different cabinet finishes form our rocky canyons. Deep brown and clay purple hues like ancient cliff faces stained by manganese and iron oxide. Washed out skies reflecting warm white light. Golden brass details throughout gleam like the desert sun. By removing a wall in between the kitchen and dining room, we were able to add a working peninsula and pull the range out of the corner. This change opened up the space, solving layout and storage puzzles for our clients — without making the kitchen feel cold or contemporary. Smooth, slab-style cabinet faces paired with streamlined appliances and fixtures keep things low maintenance.

This coastal kitchen needed a refresh. Its solid wood cabinets were painted in a sage green, with putty colored trim and a cherry island and dark countertop. We painted the cabinetry and replaced countertops and appliances. We also moved the refrigerator to a side wall to create a better work space flow and added two windows to provide symmetry on the cooktop wall. A new custom wood hood and patterned marble backsplash help add a cheerful upbeat vibe to a previously subdued and muted space.

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.

Bluthner PH is perfect for a ultra modern sleek interior featuring glass, lots of light and subdued hues. The red leather encircling the case and the polished chrome of metal hardware will create dramatic statement against the transparency of lucite elements and the gleam of the lid’s metal shell

Bedroom - rustic bedroom idea in New York

Posh, Sharp, Glamourous – this is how we could describe the stylish and fresh interior design creation by Katerina Lashmanova, a residential apartment for a young family. The refined work of Katerina Lashmanova, through an attentive dedication to details, reaches its apogee within this contemporary project, flowing into an inspiring bold apartment in the imposing city of Moscow, Russia.

Example of a cottage bathroom design in Austin

The living room in a townhouse in central den Haag exhibits an eclectic mix, combining a contemporary Italian, classic French and American mid-Century modern furnishings in a subdued envelope of color producing an atmosphere of spare elegance and timeless luxury. Walls were painted Farrow & Ball Cornforth White, a pale and chalky gray, to compliment the 1940's French armchairs covered in gray Belgian linen.

A masterclass in compact luxury and textural contrast. Suspended as a floating wall-mount basin, this 20"x12"x4" natural stone sink preserves the characteristic silver-grey veining of premium Carrara White marble. The honed matte finish subdues reflectivity, drawing attention to the precision-carved vertical fluted channels. This reeded rhythm provides visual depth while maintaining the geometric discipline of the form. Featuring a partially filled surface texture and a pre-drilled right-side faucet hole, it commands proportional authority in any tightly configured modern space. For current availability, structural specifications, and direct ordering of this compact fluted model, visit our LUCE SPACES official website

In their third remodel with us, this young family wanted to update their craftsman bungalow kitchen. The existing kitchen already opened up into the dining room from one of our previous renovations. However, the kitchen still lacked adequate counter space and attractive, functional storage. This project started with an aesthetic compromise– he wanted a stainless steel kitchen, she wanted a more traditional style. The final result has modern lines and smooth surfaces, combined with natural variation and texture. Handmade ceramic tiles from North Prairie Tile add a touch of rustic warmth. The rift-sawn white-oak has a more subdued pattern than the usual plain sawn oak. Before the renovation, a free standing island added storage and counter space to the kitchen. This design added a built-in version of this makeshift solution. The new transitional cabinet is custom built to match the existing buffet in the dining room, and keeps dishes and tools out of sight. A continuous London Grey granite counter top provides enough work space to make cooking and entertaining easy. Custom stainless steel shelves near the range are easy to clean and keep messy oils within reach. Photography by Troy Thies Design: Joseph Metzler / SALA Architects