Jeff Dow Photography The layout of the original bathroom was maintained, but all fixtures and finishes were replaced to create this light, bright and contemporary bathroom. Wood grain tile covers the floor and glass mosaics cover the walls from floor to ceiling.

The focal point of the whole kitchen is the beautiful, unique tiles on the sides of the kitchen island. They contrast with the rest of the kitchen by adding an individualized design. Photo Credit: StudioQPhoto.com

“Compelling.” That’s how one of our judges characterized this stair, which manages to embody both reassuring solidity and airy weightlessness. Architect Mahdad Saniee specified beefy maple treads—each laminated from two boards, to resist twisting and cupping—and supported them at the wall with hidden steel hangers. “We wanted to make them look like they are floating,” he says, “so they sit away from the wall by about half an inch.” The stainless steel rods that seem to pierce the treads’ opposite ends are, in fact, joined by threaded couplings hidden within the thickness of the wood. The result is an assembly whose stiffness underfoot defies expectation, Saniee says. “It feels very solid, much more solid than average stairs.” With the rods working in tension from above and compression below, “it’s very hard for those pieces of wood to move.” The interplay of wood and steel makes abstract reference to a Steinway concert grand, Saniee notes. “It’s taking elements of a piano and playing with them.” A gently curved soffit in the ceiling reinforces the visual rhyme. The jury admired the effect but was equally impressed with the technical acumen required to achieve it. “The rhythm established by the vertical rods sets up a rigorous discipline that works with the intricacies of stair dimensions,” observed one judge. “That’s really hard to do.”

Wall cabinets were removed to open up the space and make way for open shelving. New countertops, door & drawer fronts, and wood finish on the peninsula complete the revamped bar / kitchen. Copyright -©Teri Fotheringham Photography 2013

Eric Rorer
Example of a trendy beige tile bathroom design in San Francisco with a trough sink

Free ebook, CREATING THE IDEAL KITCHEN Download now → http://bit.ly/idealkitchen The hall bath for this client started out a little dated with its 1970’s color scheme and general wear and tear, but check out the transformation! The floor is really the focal point here, it kind of works the same way wallpaper would, but -- it’s on the floor. I love this graphic tile, patterned after Moroccan encaustic, or cement tile, but this one is actually porcelain at a very affordable price point and much easier to install than cement tile. Once we had homeowner buy-in on the floor choice, the rest of the space came together pretty easily – we are calling it “transitional, Moroccan, industrial.” Key elements are the traditional vanity, Moroccan shaped mirrors and flooring, and plumbing fixtures, coupled with industrial choices -- glass block window, a counter top that looks like cement but that is actually very functional Corian, sliding glass shower door, and simple glass light fixtures. The final space is bright, functional and stylish. Quite a transformation, don’t you think? Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Mike Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

APD was hired to update the kitchen, living room, primary bathroom and bedroom, and laundry room in this suburban townhome. The design brought an aesthetic that incorporated a fresh updated and current take on traditional while remaining timeless and classic. The kitchen layout moved cooking to the exterior wall providing a beautiful range and hood moment. Removing an existing peninsula and re-orienting the island orientation provided a functional floorplan while adding extra storage in the same square footage. A specific design request from the client was bar cabinetry integrated into the stair railing, and we could not be more thrilled with how it came together! The primary bathroom experienced a major overhaul by relocating both the shower and double vanities and removing an un-used soaker tub. The design added linen storage and seated beauty vanity while expanding the shower to a luxurious size. Dimensional tile at the shower accent wall relates to the dimensional tile at the kitchen backsplash without matching the two spaces to each other while tones of cream, taupe, and warm woods with touches of gray are a cohesive thread throughout.

We were asked to achieve modern-day functionality and style while preserving the architectural character of this Victorian home built in 1900. We balanced a classic white cabinet style with a bold backsplash tile and an island countertop made from reclaimed high school bleacher seats. // Photographer: Caroline Johnson

The river pebbles give a natural feeling and the glass tile bordering the stone pebbles are the perfect touch on this beautiful shower. Design by Luz Marina Selles. Photos by Mike Small Photography.

This 1910 West Highlands home was so compartmentalized that you couldn't help to notice you were constantly entering a new room every 8-10 feet. There was also a 500 SF addition put on the back of the home to accommodate a living room, 3/4 bath, laundry room and back foyer - 350 SF of that was for the living room. Needless to say, the house needed to be gutted and replanned. Kitchen+Dining+Laundry-Like most of these early 1900's homes, the kitchen was not the heartbeat of the home like they are today. This kitchen was tucked away in the back and smaller than any other social rooms in the house. We knocked out the walls of the dining room to expand and created an open floor plan suitable for any type of gathering. As a nod to the history of the home, we used butcherblock for all the countertops and shelving which was accented by tones of brass, dusty blues and light-warm greys. This room had no storage before so creating ample storage and a variety of storage types was a critical ask for the client. One of my favorite details is the blue crown that draws from one end of the space to the other, accenting a ceiling that was otherwise forgotten. Primary Bath-This did not exist prior to the remodel and the client wanted a more neutral space with strong visual details. We split the walls in half with a datum line that transitions from penny gap molding to the tile in the shower. To provide some more visual drama, we did a chevron tile arrangement on the floor, gridded the shower enclosure for some deep contrast an array of brass and quartz to elevate the finishes. Powder Bath-This is always a fun place to let your vision get out of the box a bit. All the elements were familiar to the space but modernized and more playful. The floor has a wood look tile in a herringbone arrangement, a navy vanity, gold fixtures that are all servants to the star of the room - the blue and white deco wall tile behind the vanity. Full Bath-This was a quirky little bathroom that you'd always keep the door closed when guests are over. Now we have brought the blue tones into the space and accented it with bronze fixtures and a playful southwestern floor tile. Living Room & Office-This room was too big for its own good and now serves multiple purposes. We condensed the space to provide a living area for the whole family plus other guests and left enough room to explain the space with floor cushions. The office was a bonus to the project as it provided privacy to a room that otherwise had none before.

The phrase "luxury master suite" brings this room to mind. With a double shower, double hinged glass door and free standing tub, this water room is the hallmark of simple luxury. It also features a drop down lighting, a hemlock ceiling and brushed nickel fixtures paired with a majestic view. Photo by Azevedo Photo

From natural stone to tone-on-tone, this master bath is now a soothing space to start and end the day.
Example of a large transitional master subway tile and gray tile marble floor and beige floor bathroom design in Other with shaker cabinets, black cabinets, white walls, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door, beige countertops and an undermount sink

Gregg Willett Photography
Elegant subway tile freestanding bathtub photo in San Francisco

Picture Perfect House
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional single-wall dark wood floor and brown floor wet bar remodel in Chicago with an undermount sink, black cabinets, black backsplash, black countertops, shaker cabinets and soapstone countertops

This white kitchen is grounded by the dark espresso island. Carrara marble island with wine storage on the side create a beautiful contrast to the white cabinets with the silestone grey countertops and herringbone backsplash tile. This kithchen renovation included the removal of a load bearing wall to open it up and make it feel bright and airy.

This Award-winning kitchen proves vintage doesn't have to look old and tired. This previously dark kitchen was updated with white, gold, and wood in the historic district of Monte Vista. The challenge is making a new kitchen look and feel like it belongs in a charming older home. The highlight and starting point is the original hex tile flooring in white and gold. It was in excellent condition and merely needed a good cleaning. The addition of white calacatta marble, white subway tile, walnut wood counters, brass and gold accents keep the charm intact. Cabinet panels mimic original door panels found in other areas of the home. Custom coffee storage is a modern bonus! Sub-Zero Refrig, Rohl sink, brass woven wire grill.

Elegant master mosaic tile floor corner shower photo in Seattle with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, beige cabinets and beige walls

Bathroom - contemporary bathroom idea in Orange County

Example of a large farmhouse master blue tile and cement tile brown floor and dark wood floor bathroom design in Charlotte with beige walls, marble countertops, blue cabinets, an undermount sink, gray countertops and shaker cabinets