Example of a mid-sized classic l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen design in Charleston with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, beige backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Riviera Pattern Antique Saltillo tile. Tile was ordered presealed, installed by Rustico Tile and Stone. Topcoat sealed with Terranano Sealer in Low Gloss finish. Romantic-style Copper bathtub. Talavera tile on walls and shower throughout. Counters and bottom of hood is Pinon Cantera stone with painted Talavera Tiles throughout. Materials Supplied and Installed by Rustico Tile and Stone. Wholesale prices and Worldwide Shipping. (512) 260-9111 / info@rusticotile.com / RusticoTile.com Rustico Tile and Stone Photos by Jeff Harris, Austin Imaging

Photo by Vince Klassen
Inspiration for a contemporary galley kitchen remodel in Vancouver with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances and an island

: This kitchen required a major remodel. The existing space was as unattractive as it was nonfunctional. Old non-working appliances, a dead-end space with no flow to adjacent rooms, poor lighting, and a sewer line running through the middle of the cabinets. Instead of being a haven for this working couple and extended family, the space was a nightmare. The designer was retained to create spaces for family gatherings to enjoy cooking and baking, provide storage for daily needs as well as bulk good storage and allow the kitchen to be the center piece of the home with improved access and flow throughout. Additions to the Wishlist were a mud room, laundry (not in the garage) and a place for the cats. A small addition created enough room to accommodate an island/peninsula layout suitable for baking and casual eating, a large range, generous storage both below and above the countertop. A full-size microwave convection oven built into the island provides additional baking capacity. Dish storage is in a customized drawer to make access easier for the petite client. A large framed pantry for food and essentials is located next to the island/peninsula. The old closet which contained the water meter and shut off valves now provides storage for brooms, vacuum cleaners, cleaning supplies and bulk goods. The ceiling heights in the entire home were low so in the addition a vaulted ceiling aligning with adjacent sunroom visually opened the room. This reimagined room is now the heart of the home.

Walking into this reimagined primary bath feels like stepping into a boutique spa. The entire space is wrapped in a soft, barely-there blush-white wall color that reads almost like warm light itself, creating an instantly calming atmosphere that the design then builds upon thoughtfully. Twin sage blue-gray vanities run along both sides of the room, each finished in a shaker-style painted cabinetry with polished chrome bar pulls and topped with a gorgeous Calacatta-style quartz — the same material flowing seamlessly across countertops and up as a low backsplash. Above each vanity hang individual black rounded-rectangle mirrors with matching chrome picture-light sconces, creating a clean, modern hotel-bath aesthetic that feels crisp without being cold. The walk-in shower is the undeniable heart of the room — a generous double-entry wet room featuring dual rainfall showerheads, dual handheld wand fixtures, and a natural light source through a privacy glass window that floods the space with soft, diffused daylight. Large format white wall tile set in a simple grid pattern keeps the shower feeling expansive and serene, while large-format Calacatta marble-look porcelain tile on the floor carries the quartz veining language from the vanities underfoot throughout the entire bathroom. A polished chrome heated towel rack mounted on the bathroom wall adds a luxurious, spa-grade detail — warm towels waiting after every shower. A teak wood bath mat on the floor completes the spa atmosphere perfectly. The Laundry Room Just steps away, the laundry room received an equally remarkable transformation — one that proves this hardworking space can be just as design-forward as any other room in the house. Deep hunter green painted cabinetry with brushed brass bar pulls commands the room from floor to ceiling, creating a rich, dramatic palette that feels collected and intentional rather than builder-grade. Upper shaker-style cabinets maximize storage above the machines, while a tall pantry-style column cabinet on the end wall provides floor-to-ceiling concealed storage for supplies. A painted shiplap accent panel between the upper cabinets and the counter is fitted with a row of brass coat hooks — a dual-purpose detail that adds texture and hang space for bags and reusable totes. The counter surface in white quartz sits above the side-by-side front-load washer and dryer, creating a functional folding station. A white square tile backsplash behind the machines adds a clean, easy-care surface that holds its own against the bold green cabinetry. A built-in wood bench with open storage below creates a secondary mudroom function, while a warm-toned live-edge wood floating shelf adds organic contrast. A custom built walnut open bookcase tucked at the room's end provides stylish overflow storage that gives the space personality beyond its utility.

In case you assume that the prerequisite for a contemporary kitchen is monochromatic white, this design will shatter your misconceptions. Admittedly, the upper cabinets are gloss white, but there are two additional cabinet materials that create a rich combination of color and texture. The bases and back of the island are high-gloss dark teak-patterned laminate that echo the dark tongue-and-groove wood ceiling. The tall cabinets, fridge panels, and front and sides of the island are a soft matte gray-toned rift cut patterned laminate. For a clean profile, the white cabinets use touch latches, while the gray and dark doors employ aluminum channel pulls that add a low-sheen metallic accent. Tying everything together is the gray and taupe marble countertops with matching slab backsplashes. The subtly mottled limestone-like porcelain tile flooring is the perfect backdrop for the room’s lively mix. Influenced by innovative European kitchens, these cabinets use gray metal drawer boxes, elevated to luxury status with walnut knife and cutlery inserts. A popular corner solution is the LeMans corner swing-out, which provides full accessibility to what is ordinarily a dead zone. Undercounter illumination is supplied by LED lights set into grooves routed out in the bottom of the wall cabinets.

Elegant powder room photo in New York

Home design - transitional home design idea in Birmingham

Although the home is in its 100th year, the owners wanted to create an updated urban style reflective of their downtown location. The new styling, while sleek and contemporary, kept a traditional feel with a paneled door styling, crystal chandeliers and an updated glass version of subway tile. We were also able to create an open kitchen with a 3’8 ½” x 7’ 5 ½” island centered on a gourmet Wolf cooking area. Oak Floors with an Ebony Stain Kate Benjamin Photography

This bathroom is found in the basement of the house. With low ceilings and no windows, the designer was able to add some life to this room through his design. The double vanity is perfect for him and hers. The shower includes a steam unit for a perfect spa retreat in your own home. The tile flowing over to the ceiling brings in the whole room. The mirrors are electric mirrors which include great lighting and a tv inside the mirror itself! Overall, it's the perfect escape from a long day at work or just to simply relax in. Astro Design Centre - Ottawa, Canada DoubleSpace Photography

This modern green home offers both a vacation destination on Cape Cod near local family members and an opportunity for rental income. FAMILY ROOTS. A West Coast couple living in the San Francisco Bay Area sought a permanent East Coast vacation home near family members living on Cape Cod. As academic professionals focused on sustainability, they sought a green, energy efficient home that was well-aligned with their values. With no green homes available for sale on Cape Cod, they decided to purchase land near their family and build their own. SLOPED SITE. Comprised of a 3/4 acre lot nestled in the pines, the steeply sloping terrain called for a plan that embraced and took advantage of the slope. Of equal priority was optimizing solar exposure, preserving privacy from abutters, and creating outdoor living space. The design accomplished these goals with a simple, rectilinear form, offering living space on the both entry and lower/basement levels. The stepped foundation allows for a walk-out basement level with light-filled living space on the down-hill side of the home. The traditional basement on the eastern, up-hill side houses mechanical equipment and a home gym. The house welcomes natural light throughout, captures views of the forest, and delivers entertainment space that connects indoor living space to outdoor deck and dining patio. MODERN VISION. The clean building form and uncomplicated finishes pay homage to the modern architectural legacy on the outer Cape. Durable and economical fiber cement panels, fixed with aluminum channels, clad the primary form. Cedar clapboards provide a visual accent at the south-facing living room, which extends a single roof plane to cover the entry porch. SMART USE OF SPACE. On the entry level, the “L”-shaped living, dining, and kitchen space connects to the exterior living, dining, and grilling spaces to effectively double the home’s summertime entertainment area. Placed at the western end of the entry level (where it can retain privacy but still claim expansive downhill views) is the master suite with a built-in study. The lower level has two guest bedrooms, a second full bathroom, and laundry. The flexibility of the space—crucial in a house with a modest footprint—emerges in one of the guest bedrooms, which doubles as home office by opening the barn-style double doors to connect it to the bright, airy open stair leading up to the entry level. Thoughtful design, generous ceiling heights and large windows transform the modest 1,100 sf* footprint into a well-lit, spacious home. *(total finished space is 1800 sf) RENTAL INCOME. The property works for its owners by netting rental income when the owners are home in San Francisco. The house especially caters to vacationers bound for nearby Mayo Beach and includes an outdoor shower adjacent to the lower level entry door. In contrast to the bare bones cottages that are typically available on the Cape, this home offers prospective tenants a modern aesthetic, paired with luxurious and green features. Durable finishes inside and out will ensure longevity with the heavier use that comes with a rental property. COMFORT YEAR-ROUND. The home is super-insulated and air-tight, with mechanical ventilation to provide continuous fresh air from the outside. High performance triple-paned windows complement the building enclosure and maximize passive solar gain while ensuring a warm, draft-free winter, even when sitting close to the glass. A properly sized air source heat pump offers efficient heating & cooling, and includes a carefully designed the duct distribution system to provide even comfort throughout the house. The super-insulated envelope allows us to significantly reduce the equipment capacity, duct size, and airflow quantities, while maintaining unparalleled thermal comfort. ENERGY EFFICIENT. The building’s shell and mechanical systems play instrumental roles in the home’s exceptional performance. The building enclosure reduces the most significant energy glutton: heating. Continuous super-insulation, thorough air sealing, triple-pane windows, and passive solar gain work together to yield a miniscule heating load. All active energy consumers are extremely efficient: an air source heat pump for heating and cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation (ERV), and high efficiency appliances. The result is a home that uses 70% less energy than a similar new home built to code requirements. OVERALL. The home embodies the owners’ goals and values while comprehensively enabling thermal comfort, energy efficiency, a vacation respite, and supplementary income. PROJECT TEAM ZeroEnergy Design - Architect & Mechanical Designer A.F. Hultin & Co. - Contractor Pamet Valley Landscape Design - Landscape & Masonry Lisa Finch - Original Artwork European Architectural Supply - Windows Eric Roth Photography - Photography

This modern farmhouse located outside of Spokane, Washington, creates a prominent focal point among the landscape of rolling plains. The composition of the home is dominated by three steep gable rooflines linked together by a central spine. This unique design evokes a sense of expansion and contraction from one space to the next. Vertical cedar siding, poured concrete, and zinc gray metal elements clad the modern farmhouse, which, combined with a shop that has the aesthetic of a weathered barn, creates a sense of modernity that remains rooted to the surrounding environment. The Glo double pane A5 Series windows and doors were selected for the project because of their sleek, modern aesthetic and advanced thermal technology over traditional aluminum windows. High performance spacers, low iron glass, larger continuous thermal breaks, and multiple air seals allows the A5 Series to deliver high performance values and cost effective durability while remaining a sophisticated and stylish design choice. Strategically placed operable windows paired with large expanses of fixed picture windows provide natural ventilation and a visual connection to the outdoors.

After six years of living in their Huntley IL home, Chris and Meghan were tired of their dark, dingy, outdated kitchen and it was finally time for a long-anticipated change. “The kitchen is the place where we live, it’s where we do everything,” Meghan said. “It was important that it be a space where we wanted to be.” Meghan loves cooking and enjoys including their girls in healthy meal prepping, this led them to want a brighter, more enjoyable kitchen with increased functionality and improved storage. For Chris especially, the laundry room was an entirely dysfunctional eyesore. “We had a washer and a dryer, but it was all kind-of cobbled together!” Chris said. “There were always laundry piles everywhere, we weren’t really sure what we wanted to do in there, but it was time for us to make a change.” The mess of the space was stressful every time they walked in the door from the garage each day. Kids’ backpacks and shoes piled up haphazardly in the makeshift boot-bench closet left the family feeling disorganized and stressed. They needed space for folding clothes and locker cubbies to help keep the family organized. Having known Christine and Todd in the Huntley community for years, Chris and Meghan were familiar with their work. “We already trusted them personally and having seen their projects for years we knew they did top notch work. After we reviewed the initial round of designs, we knew that hiring them was definitely the right choice,” Meghan and Chris said. Although Chris had done a lot of work in their home himself, the kitchen and laundry room renovation was such a large undertaking that he didn’t want to steal time away from his family to spend what would surely be many long weekends doing the job himself. “That would not have been a wise choice for us,” Chris laughed. “Our designer, Michelle was very, very, easy to work with; anything we wanted to see or weren’t sure about, she went above and beyond to make this easy for us. She was easy to get hold of and always quick to respond,” the couple said. Michelle pulled ideas that mirrored the couple’s taste and style and was adept at directing the couple to limited choices that didn’t overwhelm them and kept the process moving. “I have a hard time making decisions. Michelle made the decision-making process so easy. I loved how she listened to what I liked and then presented three great options for me to choose from,” Meghan said. The main objectives for the kitchen were better storage solutions, they wanted the space to reflect their lifestyle and taste, and they wanted it to last for years with low maintenance. One of the first steps in creating a more functional kitchen was relocating the refrigerator, creating an improved workflow for the busy family. “We didn’t know that we could even move the refrigerator to a new location where it is now, that was something that we never would have thought of,” Chris said. “The new refrigerator location makes the kitchen feel so much bigger. We didn’t add any space, but our whole kitchen with the new design just seems like it’s so much larger than before!” Meghan said. The perimeter mist colored cabinets helped warm and brighten the entire room, while the graphite colored cabinets on the island added contrast. Using this fresh, clean color palette satisfied the couple’s desire for a bright space that was the exact opposite of what they had before. Organization accessories were also added to the cabinets such as a spice drawer tray and roll outs to create hidden convenience. “I absolutely love the hidden spices – it makes cooking so much more enjoyable!” Chris said. “And all the pull outs, and the double trash bin, who would think you could get so excited about organization!” the couple said in unison. One thing they hated in their original kitchen was how dark the space felt. Added lighting on the ceiling with the new light fixtures combined with the lighter cabinetry colors throughout solved this problem. “Our new kitchen has this warm, almost cozy feeling that our old kitchen never had, it’s just a space that I love spending my time in now,” Meghan said. The light airy feeling was accentuated with the use of floating white shelves on either side of the decorative range hood. “We have so much cabinetry space, the new design is amazing we actually have more storage space than we will ever need,” Meghan said. The island was extended to create more work surface and added space for stool seating. “The new island changes how we live. Now the kids can be in the kitchen with us, doing homework, eating breakfast, and the three of us have special dinners there when Chris is working late,” Meghan said. The Carrara Marmi Quartz countertops were chosen because they are, not only beautiful, but are made from hard-working material that doesn’t require maintenance. The white subway tile backsplash that wraps to the ceiling behind the focal point cooktop range/hood compliments the crisp white countertops perfectly, while brushed brass hardware and light fixtures keep the design fresh and new. The couple had a few fears at the beginning of the project, as most homeowners do. Their biggest fear was being out of their kitchen and laundry room for an extended time. The crew made it very easy for the family to work in a limited space keeping the washer and dryer hooked up the majority of the time, and also getting appliances working with minimal downtime. “They above and beyond accommodated us to get us through the process,” Meghan said. “They did a great job making sure we were as comfortable as possible throughout the process,” Chris added. “Our project manager DJ did a great job. He was very good at updating us on schedule changes, getting guys in as quickly as possible. Everyone that stepped in the house was nice and did great work,” said Chris. They thought Advance’s carpenter was phenomenal and were impressed when he took a conceptual idea from a photograph and worked with designer Michelle to create a one of a kind range/hood that has become the topic of conversation with friends and family who visit the new kitchen. “He was in our house literally every day for several weeks. He was easy to work with and good at what he did,” Meghan and Chris said. The focal point of the kitchen; a hand-crafted, custom-built ventilation hood was clad with handpicked reclaimed barnwood. Advance Design’s carpenter built the framework and the cladding to create a one-of-a-kind design element that the couple loves. “I think it was especially fun for him to create something unique from scratch, showcasing his talent in this area,” Meghan said. “I love that my kitchen is not like everyone else’s. I got to pick out the wood on my hood and watch it being built and was able to choose what pieces of wood went where on it. It’s totally unique.” Red Oak flooring was toothed-in throughout the kitchen and the rest of the first floor anywhere changes were made. Then the whole floor was refinished to tone down the orange undertones in the existing floor stain, ultimately changing the color complexion of the entire first floor. The result is a completely new feeling to the entire home. Renovating the laundry room was extremely important to Meghan and Chris, but they had trouble visualizing what the possibilities were for the seemingly small space. Michelle produced beautiful 3D illustrations that helped them envision the space in a whole new way. “I must have told Michelle 100 times that I am a visual person, seeing the designs in 3D made it so easy to make decisions and see what we could really do with our space,” Meghan said. A dividing wall and doorway were removed between the existing laundry room and hallway formerly containing a coat closet, providing space to design specialized graphite colored cabinetry matching the kitchen island to house custom storage cubbies for each family member. Adding the tall utility cabinetry in the new laundry area helped solve the storage issue, tucking away cleaning supplies, household items, and even the cat got its own cubby. “I love how everything is now hidden in its own space. I can’t tell you how much I hated coming home and seeing everything sitting around on counters,” Chris said. Electrical outlets were planned for the inside of utility cabinets, so devices could charge in hidden locations. Stacking the washer and dryer allowed for wider countertop space to provide a folding area and a special space for clothes to hang. “The way I do laundry has been completely transformed! I can actually fold clothes and hang them now right out of the washer and dryer,” Meghan said. “The end result in the kitchen and the laundry/mud room was an updated light and bright space, with a smarter work flow that better meets the needs of this family,” Michelle said. “I would totally recommend Advance Design,” Meghan said. “Sometimes I sit and just look at my kitchen and laundry room and think ‘Wow, I can’t believe I get to live here!’ It’s an understatement to say we love our new space.”

This backyard landscape design is inspired by our Blu Grande Smooth patio slab. Perfect paving slab for modern poolsides and backyard design, Blu Grande Smooth is a large concrete patio stone available in multiple colors. It's smooth texture is sleek to the eye but rougher to the touch which avoids it from getting slippery when wet. The large rectangular shape works as an easy add-on into Blu 60 regular modular patterns but can also work as a stand-alone to create a very linear look. Check out the HD2 Blu Grande Smooth which is all about seamless looks with a tighter/poreless texture and anti-aging technology. Check out our website to shop the look! https://www.techo-bloc.com/shop/slabs/blu-grande-smooth/

12x12 Traditional Saltillo tile. Tile was ordered presealed, installed by Rustico Tile and Stone. Dark grout was left behind in texture to create a reclaimed terracotta tile look. Topcoat sealed with Terranano Sealer in Low Gloss finish. Talavera tile inserts in floor and in shower. Shower wall tile is Travertine stone. Fixtures are copper. Materials Supplied and Installed by Rustico Tile and Stone. Wholesale prices and Worldwide Shipping. (512) 260-9111 / info@rusticotile.com / RusticoTile.com Rustico Tile and Stone Photos by Jeff Harris, Austin Imaging

Call us for help on your Monorail System: (866) 954-4489 Monorail Wall kit includes everything you need for a complete system - just add fixtures. Kit includes remote mount magnetic 300 watt 12 volt transformer, 3 inch rectangular power canopy, 8 foot Monorail Wall, two 1 inch standoffs and 2 pairs of end caps. Finish satin nickel. Also available in polished nickel or antique bronze. Spirit Fast Jack fixture head with S5 big solid shade features a cool to touch frosted polycarbonate handle, rotates 360 degrees and tilts 250 degrees. Available in 3, 6, or 12 inch stem lengths. Mounts to a Monorail connector, Monorail 2 Circuit connector, or Fast Jack power canopy, sold separately. Finish available in satin nickel, polished nickel, or bronze. Accessory finish available in satin nickel, polished nickel, or antique bronze. One 50 Watt, 12 Volt, MR16 GU5.3 lamp or LED MR16-12VAC not included. ETL listed TruLine .5 2.5W 24VDC Plaster-In LED System creates a clean line of glare free general illumination within drywall. The linear LED system features a shallow .5 inch deep plaster in aluminum extrusion no thicker than drywall and houses one 2.5 watt row of commercial grade white LED Soft Strip. The .5 inch wide diffuser lens projects a clean line of light without LED dots. System mounts directly to studs without joist modification. TruLine is sold in 1 foot increments up to 40 feet at 2.5 watts per foot, 95+ CRI, in 2700K Very Warm White or 3000K Warm White color temperature, delivering 116 lumens per foot. 50,000 hour average lamp life. TruLine extrusion may be field cut. LED Soft Strip may be cut every 2.4 inches. System includes TruLine .5 channels, end caps, LED Soft Strip, TL.5 special junction box and all mounting hardware. Power supply options include a Class 2 24 volt 96 or 192 watt dimmable with a Lightolier Sunrise SR1200ZTUNV; Leviton IP710-DL; Lutron Radio Ra2 with Grafik Eye, RRD-10ND and GRX-TVI; Grafik Eye QS with Grafik Eye, QSGRJ-XP and GRX-TVI; Diva with Grafik Eye, DVTV and PP20; Nova T with Grafik Eye, NTFTV-WH and PP20, sold separately. Fixture includes a 5 year warranty. Made in USA. TruLine .5 2.5W 24VDC Plaster-In LED System creates a clean line of glare free general illumination within drywall. The linear LED system features a shallow .5 inch deep plaster in aluminum extrusion no thicker than drywall and houses one 2.5 watt row of commercial grade white LED Soft Strip. The .5 inch wide diffuser lens projects a clean line of light without LED dots. System mounts directly to studs without joist modification. TruLine is sold in 1 foot increments up to 40 feet at 2.5 watts per foot, 95+ CRI, in 2700K Very Warm White or 3000K Warm White color temperature, delivering 116 lumens per foot. 50,000 hour average lamp life. TruLine extrusion may be field cut. LED Soft Strip may be cut every 2.4 inches. System includes TruLine .5 channels, end caps, LED Soft Strip, TL.5 special junction box and all mounting hardware. Power supply options include a Class 2 24 volt 96 or 192 watt dimmable with a Lightolier Sunrise SR1200ZTUNV; Leviton IP710-DL; Lutron Radio Ra2 with Grafik Eye, RRD-10ND and GRX-TVI; Grafik Eye QS with Grafik Eye, QSGRJ-XP and GRX-TVI; Diva with Grafik Eye, DVTV and PP20; Nova T with Grafik Eye, NTFTV-WH and PP20, sold separately. Fixture includes a 5 year warranty. Made in USA.

White and Bright! This beach bathroom is clean and airy. using wood vinyl planks on the floor it will stand up to water and sand. the hand shower shower head was added for easy rise after playing at the beach. the granite extends over the toilet for more counter space and medicine cabinets are great storage for everything from sunscreen to hairspray. the shower walls are pure white cultured marble for easy cleaning. maximize the space you live in with storage, style Function. Designed by Space consultant Danielle Perkins @ DANIELLE Interior Design & Decor. Photographed by Taylor Abeel Photography.

Inspiration for a small modern partial sun front yard stone garden path in Toronto.

Your kitchen supplies can exist in harmony when you use ShelfGenie Glide-Outs to organize your kitchen! Hi! I'm Elizabeth Beach Hacking of ShelfGenie MA (S. Shore, N. Shore, Metro West & Cape Cod). Call me at: 646-944-8599 to find out how we can fit your kitchen with space saving Glide-Outs. Receive $100 off your custom order, just by mentioning Houzz.