Photo Credit: www.blackstoneedge.com
Example of a classic entryway design in Portland with beige walls and a dark wood front door

Located in Old Seagrove, FL, this 1980's beach house was is steps away from the beach and a short walk from Seaside Square. Working with local general contractor, Corestruction, the existing 3 bedroom and 3 bath house was completely remodeled. Additionally, 3 more bedrooms and bathrooms were constructed over the existing garage and kitchen, staying within the original footprint. This modern coastal design focused on maximizing light and creating a comfortable and inviting home to accommodate large families vacationing at the beach. The large backyard was completely overhauled, adding a pool, limestone pavers and turf, to create a relaxing outdoor living space.

Kids treehouse on Orcas Island WA. All lumber donated by local saw mill.
Small mountain style shed photo in Seattle

Transitional bathroom photo in Philadelphia

Transitional 3/4 white tile gray floor alcove shower photo in Minneapolis with flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, a hinged shower door and white countertops

Designed by: Cierra Shupe Omega Dynasty Cabinetry Perimeter - Pure White w/Brushed Sepia Glaze Island/Hood - Quarter Sawn Oak Porch Swing w/Brushed Sepia Glaze Granite by Ohio Tile & Marble Hardware from Hardware Resources Cierra Ohara Photography

Bathroom - small transitional master white tile and stone tile mosaic tile floor bathroom idea in San Francisco with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, an undermount sink and quartz countertops

The ‘finished’ side of the gate and fence is the interior (the patio side) where the boards sit proud of the posts. The builder used 6x6 posts for the fence, as well as for the framing members of the wooden gate. Because there is a step down from the patio, the gate swings out to the communal walkway. Photos by 360 Yardware.

Photo by Eric Figge
Home office - contemporary freestanding desk dark wood floor home office idea in Los Angeles with gray walls

All closet-cases welcome! You’re obsessed with trying to keep organized. You put so much thought into the design of your closet and now want the perfect finishing touch that does every bit of justice to the contents inside. Whether you prefer a slide, swing, or even a bi-fold, these closet doors offer yet another opportunity to infuse your personal flair into your space.

Example of a beach style bathroom design in Charleston

Large elegant 3/4 white tile and subway tile dark wood floor alcove shower photo in Atlanta with a wall-mount sink, a one-piece toilet and gray walls

The Jhoola's Day Bed Swing can be enjoyed by adults and children alike. A traditional swing from India, the Jhoola is intended to be used as a swinging day bed basically. Add some pillows and a cushion and enjoy the afternoon. Jhoola's Swing can be enjoyed by adults and children alike.

White farmhouse kitchen with open shelving, brass barn lights and a vintage rug.
Inspiration for a farmhouse l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen remodel in Sacramento with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an island and black countertops

Catherine Tighe
Inspiration for a large coastal open concept dark wood floor living room library remodel in Los Angeles with beige walls and no tv

Photo: Ashley K. Custom-Designed Vanities Vanity Paint Color: Sherwin Williams Black Fox Mirrors: Restoration Hardware Cabinet Hardware: Restoration Hardware Sink Faucet: Kohler

Laundry room - contemporary laundry room idea in Austin

Regan Wood Photography
Example of a mid-sized transitional galley kitchen design in New York with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash and no island

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Lakefront property in the northwest suburbs of Chicago is hard to come by, so when we were hired by this young family with exactly that, we were immediately inspired by not just the unusually large footprint of this 1950’s colonial revival but also the lovely views of the manmade lake it was sited on. The large 5-bedroom home was solidly stuck in the 1980’s, but we saw tons of potential. We started out by updating the existing staircase with a fresh coat of paint and adding new herringbone slate to the entry hall. The powder room off the entryway also got a refresh - new flooring, new cabinets and fixtures. We ran the new slate right through into this space for some consistency. A fun wallpaper and shiplap trim add a welcoming feel and set the tone for the home. Next, we tackled the kitchen. Located away from the rest of the first floor, the kitchen felt a little isolated, so we immediately began planning for how to better connect it to the rest of the first floor. We landed on removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room and designed a modified galley style space with separate cooking and clean up zones. The cooking zone consists of the refrigerator, prep sink and cooktop, along with a nice long run of prep space at the island. The cleanup side of the kitchen consists of the main sink and dishwasher. Both areas are situated so that the user can view the lake during prep work and cleanup! One of the home’s main puzzles was how to incorporate the mudroom and area in front of the patio doors at the back of the house. We already had a breakfast table area, so the space by the patio doors was a bit of a no man’s land. We decided to separate the kitchen proper from what became the new mudroom with a large set of barn doors. That way you can quickly hide any mudroom messes but have easy access to the light coming in through the patio doors as well as the outdoor grilling station. We also love the impact the barn doors add to the overall space. The homeowners’ first words to us were “it’s time to ditch the brown,” so we did! We chose a lovely blue pallet that reflects the home’s location on the lake which is also vibrant yet easy on the eye. Countertops are white quartz, and the natural oak floor works well with the other honey accents. The breakfast table was given a refresh with new chairs, chandelier and window treatments that frame the gorgeous views of the lake out the back. We coordinated the slate mudroom flooring with that used in the home’s main entrance for a consistent feel. The storage area consists of open and closed storage to allow for some clutter control as needed. Next on our “to do” list was revamping the dated brown bar area in the neighboring dining room. We eliminated the clutter by adding some closed cabinets and did some easy updates to help the space feel more current. One snag we ran into here was the discovery of a beam above the existing open shelving that had to be modified with a smaller structural beam to allow for our new design to work. This was an unexpected surprise, but in the end we think it was well worth it! We kept the colors here a bit more muted to blend with the homeowner’s existing furnishings. Open shelving and polished nickel hardware add some simple detail to the new entertainment zone which also looks out onto the lake! Next we tackled the upstairs starting with the homeowner’s son’s bath. The bath originally had both a tub shower and a separate shower, so we decided to swap out the shower for a new laundry area. This freed up some space downstairs in what used to be the mudroom/laundry room and is much more convenient for daily laundry needs. We continued the blue palette here with navy cabinetry and the navy tile in the shower. Porcelain floor tile and chrome fixtures keep maintenance to a minimum while matte black mirrors and lighting add some depth the design. A low maintenance runner adds some warmth underfoot and ties the whole space together. We added a pocket door to the bathroom to minimize interference with the door swings. The left door of the laundry closet is on a 180 degree hinge to allow for easy full access to the machines. Next we tackled the master bath which is an en suite arrangement. The original was typical of the 1980’s with the vanity outside of the bathroom, situated near the master closet. And the brown theme continued here with multiple shades of brown. Our first move was to segment off the bath and the closet from the master bedroom. We created a short hall from the bedroom to the bathroom with his and hers walk-in closets on the left and right as well as a separate toilet closet outside of the main bathroom for privacy and flexibility. The original bathroom had a giant soaking tub with steps (dangerous!) as well as a small shower that did not work well for our homeowner who is 6’3”. With other bathtubs in the home, they decided to eliminate the tub and create an oversized shower which takes up the space where the old tub was located. The double vanity is on the opposite wall and a bench is located under the window for morning conversations and a place to set a couple of towels. The pallet in here is light and airy with a mix of blond wood, creamy porcelain and marble tile, and brass accents. A simple roman shade adds some texture and it’s top-down mechanism allows for light and privacy. This large whole house remodel gave our homeowners not only the ability to maximize the potential of their home but also created a lovely new frame from which to view their fabulous lake views. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com