Timeless Classic. The landscape must complement the architecture of the house, so designing this garden for our antique reproduction needed to harken back to a different time. Material choices such as antique brick, reclaimed granite, and natural-cleft bluestone were all incorporated into the composition to create a timeless beauty all within the context of a bygone setting. Directly adjacent to the driveway and guest parking, the ‘kitchen garden’ was surrounded by a custom-built cedar fence with a self-closing cannonball gate. Herbs and cutting perennials fill the space as well as a small bench for reflection or to take a break from tending to the garden. From a functional standpoint, this has become the most-used entrance to the house, with the original main door serving only as decoration. The arrival sequence is easy to understand and has the guests passing through the landscape on a well-lit path via our hand-built copper lantern atop an architectural post. Planting was purposely kept to a minimum with mostly perennials and a couple of common lilacs — all keeping within the design intent. Existing natural-cleft bluestone was repurposed with a linear approach for a dining and lounging terrace in the rear of the property. Three sides are surrounded by sun-loving plants with grass coming right up to the patio offering a seamless transition to the yard beyond. Simple, elegant, and timeless.

Refined Oak & Stone kitchen renovation, nestled near Rancho Santa Fe. This stunning kitchen features rift-cut white oak cabinets, sleek black accents, and timeless Taj Mahal quartzite countertops and backsplash. Perfect for those seeking a modern yet refined aesthetic, this design blends natural warmth with sophisticated elements. The spacious layout and meticulous craftsmanship make it an ideal example of luxury kitchen design in San Diego. If you’re looking for inspiration or a high-end kitchen remodel, the Refined Oak & Stone project is a showcase of excellence in materials and design. Whether you want custom cabinetry, premium stone surfaces, or a sleek, contemporary feel, this kitchen renovation highlights the best in modern kitchen design.

Inspiration for a kitchen remodel in Minneapolis

Architect: Portuondo Perotti Architects Photography: Carlos Domenech “This is well detailed and consistent inside and out. It is a classic Mediterranean Revival in the Floridian tradition of Mizner.” This single-family residential home in Gables Estates, Coral Gables, Florida, successfully pays respect to the architecture of the Mediterranean and Renaissance Italian styles. From the use of courtyards to the high level of detailing, this project emphasizes the most picturesque and expressive qualities of these styles. The residence reflects the visions of two of Coral Gables’ first architects, who designed beautiful and timeless architecture in this garden city to become a lasting piece in the landscape. This project not only captures the breathtaking views of Biscayne Bay, but with timeless style and lush landscaping, it creates a centerpiece for the view from the bay to Coral Gables. The home is designed as a long gallery, with spaces connected by courtyards and public realms. Another large inspiration for this project was the idea of the garden and landscape. With Coral Gables as a garden city, landscape became an integral part of the conception and design. The durability of Marvin products, their ability to stand up to the South Florida climate, as well as the Marvin attention to detail and proportion, made them the perfect choice to employ in a project of such high standards. The range of products allowed the freedom of design to explore all possibilities and turn visions into reality. The result was a lasting piece of architecture that would reflect a level of detail in every part of its structure. MARVIN PRODUCTS USED: Marvin Round Top Window Marvin Ultimate Arch Top French Door Marvin Ultimate Swinging French Door Marvin Ultimate Venting Picture Window Marvin Casemaster

Example of a large classic open concept light wood floor, brown floor and wallpaper living room design in Houston with white walls, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and a tile fireplace

Aayers floors Home Collection Original is a sliced and smooth finished Engineered Brazilian Cherry with maintenance-free. Featuring natural reddish-brown tons and hues. Exotic warm cherry grain and authentic texture on the surface bring the world into your home with tempting rare exotics species from around the globe. Brazilian Cherry is a very sturdy and resilient hardwood with a higher ranting on the Janka Hardness Scale. Exotics uniqueless design in one of the toughest engineered flooring makes it a great choice for any high-traffic area. Feel free to reach out with any questions you have about our Brazilian Cherry Flooring. We would be happy to answer them for you. Specifications Collection: Aayers Home Collection Species: Brazilian Cherry Finish: Polyurethane with Aluminum Oxide Finish Texture: Smooth Finish Edge: Micro Bevel Profile: 1/2" Tongue & Groove / End Matched Width: 5" Length: Up to 6' Structure: Cross Board Engineered Certification: FSC, CARB, Lacey Installation: Glue, Nail Down, Float DISCLAIMER: Wood Floors are a natural product and variations in color, grain structure and character can be expected from board to board, specifically in the color variation, course grain, and knots. Images are provided to assist our customers in making a flooring choice. They represent color, grain and other related characteristics within a given wood type. Color in these images may vary from the actual wood due to the translation and reproduction limitations of photo reproduction, website resolution and individual monitors color and resolution settings. Color, grain, and character appearance will vary from these images due to the specific conditions of the areas in which installation occurs as well as the variation inherent in a natural product.

Example of a transitional kitchen design in San Francisco

Turning into the backyard, a two-tiered pergola and social space make for a grand arrival. Scroll down to the first "before" photo for a peek at what it looked like when we first did our site inventory in the snow. Design by John Algozzini and Kevin Manning.

Custom Metropolitan inset cabinets in Frosty White Countertops are ColorQuartz Calacatta Novus Walnut open drawers
Transitional medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen photo in Boston with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash and white countertops

Light and Airy shiplap bathroom was the dream for this hard working couple. The goal was to totally re-create a space that was both beautiful, that made sense functionally and a place to remind the clients of their vacation time. A peaceful oasis. We knew we wanted to use tile that looks like shiplap. A cost effective way to create a timeless look. By cladding the entire tub shower wall it really looks more like real shiplap planked walls.

Andrea Rugg Photography
Example of a small classic black and white tile and ceramic tile marble floor and gray floor corner shower design in Minneapolis with blue cabinets, a two-piece toilet, blue walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops and shaker cabinets

When this suburban family decided to renovate their kitchen, they knew that they wanted a little more space. Advance Design worked together with the homeowner to design a kitchen that would work for a large family who loved to gather regularly and always ended up in the kitchen! So the project began with extending out an exterior wall to accommodate a larger island and more moving-around space between the island and the perimeter cabinetry. Style was important to the cook, who began collecting accessories and photos of the look she loved for months prior to the project design. She was drawn to the brightness of whites and grays, and the design accentuated this color palette brilliantly with the incorporation of a warm shade of brown woods that originated from a dining room table that was a family favorite. Classic gray and white cabinetry from Dura Supreme hits the mark creating a perfect balance between bright and subdued. Hints of gray appear in the bead board detail peeking just behind glass doors, and in the application of the handsome floating wood shelves between cabinets. White subway tile is made extra interesting with the application of dark gray grout lines causing it to be a subtle but noticeable detail worthy of attention. Suede quartz Silestone graces the countertops with a soft matte hint of color that contrasts nicely with the presence of white painted cabinetry finished smartly with the brightness of a milky white farm sink. Old melds nicely with new, as antique bronze accents are sprinkled throughout hardware and fixtures, and work together unassumingly with the sleekness of stainless steel appliances. The grace and timelessness of this sparkling new kitchen maintains the charm and character of a space that has seen generations past. And now this family will enjoy this new space for many more generations to come in the future with the help of the team at Advance Design Studio. Photographer: Joe Nowak

Interior Design: Vivid Interior Builder: Hendel Homes Photography: LandMark Photography
Sunroom - small traditional medium tone wood floor sunroom idea in Minneapolis with a stone fireplace

Photos: Jeff Zaruba. Renovation in Mill Valley, Marin. Kitchen.
Example of a country kitchen design in San Francisco

The original kitchen was dark and lacked storage space. It was cut off from the rest of the house and needed an update. We removed the wall between the dining room and kitchen and bumped the kitchen out in the rear of the house. We created lots of storage, a new island with seating and added windows bringing in much needed natural light. The kitchen is now a hub of activity for the whole family.

I worked with CAD Development to select the cabinetry and stone/tile for this lovely new construction home in Westchester County. I was then hired by the homeowners to decorate the interiors, It was a great job from start to finish! ND Interiors is a full-service interior design studio based in Westchester County, New York. Our goal is to create timelessly stylish spaces that are in equal parts beautiful and functional. Principal Designer Nancy Davilman embraces the philosophy that every good design choice comes from the dynamic relationship between client and designer. Recognized for her keen eye and wide-ranging experience, Nancy builds every project upon these fundamentals: An understanding of the client’s lifestyle at home;. An appreciation for the client’s tastes, goals, time frame and budget; and Consideration of the character and distinctiveness of the home. The result is timelessly stylish spaces that are in equal parts beautiful and functional -- often featuring unexpected elements and one-of-a-kind finds from Nancy’s vast network of sources. ND Interiors welcomes projects of all sizes.

Design: Jules Duffy Design; This kitchen was gutted to the studs and renovated TWICE after 2 burst pipe events! It's finally complete! With windows and doors on 3 sides, the kitchen is flooded with amazing light and beautiful breezes. The finishes were selected from a driftwood palate as a nod to the beach one block away, The limestone floor (beyond practical) dares all to find the sand traveling in on kids' feet. Tons of storage and seating make this kitchen a hub for entertaining. Photography: Laura Moss

Nestled in the hills of Orinda, California, this 1951 residence is one of only seven extant homes, now known as “The Magnificent Seven”, designed by architect Olof Dahlstrand, a protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright. With its low-slung rooflines, natural materials, and deep integration with the sloping landscape, the home is a pristine example of mid-century modern design inspired by Wright’s organic principles. Over the years, prior homeowners have emphasized preservation, ensuring that the house remained relatively untouched. Each owner has respected the original architecture and stayed true to Dahlstrand’s intent. When a family of five—two college-aged sons and a middle school-aged daughter—acquired the property, they were captivated by its history, legacy of care, and architectural significance. While they appreciated Dahlstrand’s original vision, they also recognized the need to adapt the home for contemporary living while preserving its design integrity. The remodel was conceived as a thoughtful response to the past—an effort to bring the house into the 21st century without compromising its soul. The primary mandate was to maintain architectural continuity while improving the functionality, comfort, and livability for a modern family. The design team—architects and contractor alike—worked with a shared reverence for the original architecture, allowing that mindset to guide even the most technical or pragmatic decisions. A key objective was to increase natural light in the kitchen—a departure from Wrightian principles of enclosed, intimate cooking spaces—while maintaining the home’s architectural language. The kitchen was reconfigured to foster a stronger connection to adjacent living spaces while retaining the underlying concept of spatial separation. One of the most transformative architectural changes was the removal of a ridge beam that was originally planned to remain visible through the kitchen. During construction, the team collaborated on a better solution: a wide-flanged steel beam concealed within the roof envelope. This subtle move preserved the clean lines and ceiling continuity, a modern update carried out with utmost respect for the existing framework. The home’s original powder room, previously accessible only through the kitchen, was relocated for better flow and privacy. A new powder room was carved out of former kitchen cabinetry—a narrow, interior space that could have felt dark and enclosed. To avoid this, the design extended the line of original transom windows into the new powder room and added a skylight above the vanity. The result is a bright and airy space that feels consistent with the rest of the home. Other updates included the installation of new solid-core interior doors with veneers carefully matched to the original mahogany, enhancing the continuity of the interiors. Even smaller decisions, such as placing the door knobs at 42 inches high, mirrored the original proportions. Every choice reflected a shared belief between the architect, contractor, and client: that new work should serve the integrity of the old. The home’s extensive interior redwood millwork and paneling was meticulously restored. Where new materials were introduced—such as the replacement redwood soffit paneling—the contractor took pains to find finish nails that matched the original, rather than using modern equivalents. This level of craftsmanship and collaboration defined the project. It extended even to the detailing of a blind door to the new powder room, which had to disappear into the existing redwood board-and-batten wall. It was a team effort: the owner found a suitable handle, the architects devised the custom in-swing mechanism, and the contractor executed it so the door aligned precisely with the battens. Throughout, the homeowners were deeply engaged in the design process. One, a meticulous design enthusiast, focused on aesthetic integrity and historic detail. The other brought a practical and function-driven perspective, ensuring that new fixtures and materials would be durable and require minimal maintenance. While the home’s location posed no major site challenges, sustainability was a key concern. The team upgraded the roof insulation, installed solar panels with battery storage, and added ductless mini-split cooling systems. Lighting was another area where modern technology was woven into a historic framework: new square LED fixtures echo the original custom perimeter soffit lights, maintaining the design language while offering advanced performance. A planned expansion of a bedroom into suite with a bathroom had to be shelved due to budget constraints and the high cost of below-grade foundation work. Still, the team focused their efforts on making the most of the existing footprint, resolving constraints through design ingenuity rather than adding square footage. This renovation represents a collaborative achievement in preserving and evolving a historically significant home. Every decision was shaped by a shared ethos among clients, architects, and contractor: to maintain the home’s architectural soul while updating it for contemporary life. The result is a timeless modernist residence that continues Olof Dahlstrand’s legacy, remaining grounded in nature, craftsmanship, and human-scale design. Klopf Architecture Team: John Klopf, AIA, Klara Kevane, Fernanda Bernardes
Interior Architectural Design: Klopf Architecture
Structural Engineer: Daniel Bastiao
Contractor: Don Larwood, Larwood Construction Photography: Mariko Reed Year Completed: 2022

Photography by www.mikechajecki.com
Example of a transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen design in Toronto with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island