Relaxing in the summertime has never looked more beautiful. Whether you're looking to catch some sun, or cool off from a hot day, you will find plenty of amusement with this project. This timeless, contemporary pool house will be the biggest hit among friends and family.

This kitchen is characterised by timelessly elegant black and white. To give thespacious, monolithic island a light air, a white ribbon meanders across every side,strikingly showcasing the functions of cooking and water. Another outstandingfeature: fronts made of top-quality matt lacquer with an anti-fingerprint finish.The elegant BONDI makes a spacious overall impression whilst being perfect down to the very last detail. The tall units integrated flush into the wall are compelling as soon as you see the amount of space they offer – with lots of intelligent solutions for stowing things away. In a tidy kitchen, there is plenty of space to showcasepersonal items – that is how they can be shown off to true advantage.

These homeowners wanted a new, fresh kitchen but wanted to preserve their footprint and flooring since they were unsure how much longer they would stay in the house. A soft, off white cabinet with simple lines, a warm wood top and a granite that featured both warm and cool tones was the perfect combination to create this beautiful, timeless space. Photos by Tad Davis

Alic Hayes Photography
Small rustic three-story wood exterior home idea in Seattle with a shed roof

Tranquil bedrooms with a contemporary style show off cool color palettes and warm textures. Comfort is taken to a whole new level with plush upholstering, tufted textiles, and luxurious area rugs -- the layered fabrics create the perfect oasis to retreat to after a long and busy day. Artwork and artisanal lighting add a touch of timeless trend, which, when paired with the overall softness of the space, create a balance between comfort and sophistication.

This project presented unique opportunities that are not often found in residential landscaping. The homeowners were not only restoring their 1840's era farmhouse, a piece of their family’s history, but also enlarging and updating the home for modern living. The landscape designers continued this idea by creating a space that is a modern day interpretation of an 1840s era farm rather then a strict recreation. The resulting design combines elements of farm living from that time, as well as acknowledging the property’s history as a horse farm, with staples of 21st century landscapes such as space for outdoor living, lighting, and newer plant varieties. Guests approach from the main driveway which winds through the property and ends at the main barn. There is secondary gated driveway just for the homeowners. Connected to this main driveway is a narrower gravel lane which leads directly to the residence. The lane passes near fruit trees planted in broken rows to give the illusion that they are the remains of an orchard that once existed on the site. The lane widens at the entrance to the gardens where there is a hitching post built into the fence that surrounds the gardens and a watering trough. The widened section is intended as a place to park a golf cart or, in a nod to the home’s past, tie up horses before entering. The gravel lane passes between two stone pillars and then ends at a square gravel court edged in cobblestones. The gravel court transitions into a wide flagstone walk bordered with yew hedges and lavender leading to the front door. Directly to the right, upon entering the gravel court, is located a gravel and cobblestone edged walk leading to a secondary entrance into the residence. The walk is gated where it connects with the gravel court to close it off so as not to confuse visitors and guests to the main residence and to emphasize the primary entrance. An area for a bench is provided along this walk to encourage stopping to view and enjoy the gardens. On either side of the front door, gravel and cobblestone walks branch off into the garden spaces. The one on the right leads to a flagstone with cobblestone border patio space. Since the home has no designated backyard like most modern suburban homes the outdoor living space had to be placed in what would traditionally be thought of as the front of the house. The patio is separated from the entrance walk by the yew hedge and further enclosed by three Amelanchiers and a variety of plantings including modern cultivars of old fashioned plants such as Itea and Hydrangea. A third entrance, the original front door to the 1840’s era section, connects to the patio from the home’s kitchen, making the space ideal for outdoor dining. The gravel and cobblestone walk branching off to the left of the front door leads to the vegetable and perennial gardens. The idea for the vegetable garden was to recreate the tradition of a kitchen garden which would have been planted close to the residence for easy access. The vegetable garden is surrounded by mixed perennial beds along the inside of the wood picket fence which surrounds the entire garden space. Another area designated for a bench is provided here to encourage stopping and viewing. The home’s original smokehouse, completely restored and used as a garden shed, provides a strong architectural focal point to the vegetable garden. Behind the smokehouse is planted lilacs and other plants to give mass and balance to the corner and help screen the garden from the neighboring subdivision. At the rear corner of the garden a wood arbor was constructed to provide a structure on which to grow grapes or other vines should the homeowners choose to. The landscape and gardens for this restored farmhouse and property are a thoughtfully designed and planned recreation of a historic landscape reinterpreted for modern living. The idea was to give a sense of timelessness when walking through the gardens as if they had been there for years but had possibly been updated and rejuvenated as lifestyles changed. The attention to materials and craftsmanship blend seamlessly with the residence and insure the gardens and landscape remain an integral part of the property. The farm has been in the homeowner’s family for many years and they are thrilled at the results and happy to see respect given to the home’s history and to its meticulous restoration.

In Southern California there are pockets of darling cottages built in the early 20th century that we like to call jewelry boxes. They are quaint, full of charm and usually a bit cramped. Our clients have a growing family and needed a modern, functional home. They opted for a renovation that directly addressed their concerns. When we first saw this 2,170 square-foot 3-bedroom beach cottage, the front door opened directly into a staircase and a dead-end hallway. The kitchen was cramped, the living room was claustrophobic and everything felt dark and dated. The big picture items included pitching the living room ceiling to create space and taking down a kitchen wall. We added a French oven and luxury range that the wife had always dreamed about, a custom vent hood, and custom-paneled appliances. We added a downstairs half-bath for guests (entirely designed around its whimsical wallpaper) and converted one of the existing bathrooms into a Jack-and-Jill, connecting the kids’ bedrooms, with double sinks and a closed-off toilet and shower for privacy. In the bathrooms, we added white marble floors and wainscoting. We created storage throughout the home with custom-cabinets, new closets and built-ins, such as bookcases, desks and shelving. White Sands Design/Build furnished the entire cottage mostly with commissioned pieces, including a custom dining table and upholstered chairs. We updated light fixtures and added brass hardware throughout, to create a vintage, bo-ho vibe. The best thing about this cottage is the charming backyard accessory dwelling unit (ADU), designed in the same style as the larger structure. In order to keep the ADU it was necessary to renovate less than 50% of the main home, which took some serious strategy, otherwise the non-conforming ADU would need to be torn out. We renovated the bathroom with white walls and pine flooring, transforming it into a get-away that will grow with the girls.

The client wanted to reinvent this living room so that it would be used as a reading, gathering room. The goal for this living room was to create a calming respite by way of a transitional design aesthetic and a sophisticated appeal. I used the existing photographic art as a taking off point for the selection of some timeless updated pieces. The washed dhurrie rug, black accent tables and rattan sideboard created the sophistication that was desired. Custom throw pillows give a layer of pattern and color to finish the look. Photo Credit: Matt Bolt

This project presented unique opportunities that are not often found in residential landscaping. The homeowners were not only restoring their 1840's era farmhouse, a piece of their family’s history, but also enlarging and updating the home for modern living. The landscape designers continued this idea by creating a space that is a modern day interpretation of an 1840s era farm rather then a strict recreation. The resulting design combines elements of farm living from that time, as well as acknowledging the property’s history as a horse farm, with staples of 21st century landscapes such as space for outdoor living, lighting, and newer plant varieties. Guests approach from the main driveway which winds through the property and ends at the main barn. There is secondary gated driveway just for the homeowners. Connected to this main driveway is a narrower gravel lane which leads directly to the residence. The lane passes near fruit trees planted in broken rows to give the illusion that they are the remains of an orchard that once existed on the site. The lane widens at the entrance to the gardens where there is a hitching post built into the fence that surrounds the gardens and a watering trough. The widened section is intended as a place to park a golf cart or, in a nod to the home’s past, tie up horses before entering. The gravel lane passes between two stone pillars and then ends at a square gravel court edged in cobblestones. The gravel court transitions into a wide flagstone walk bordered with yew hedges and lavender leading to the front door. Directly to the right, upon entering the gravel court, is located a gravel and cobblestone edged walk leading to a secondary entrance into the residence. The walk is gated where it connects with the gravel court to close it off so as not to confuse visitors and guests to the main residence and to emphasize the primary entrance. An area for a bench is provided along this walk to encourage stopping to view and enjoy the gardens. On either side of the front door, gravel and cobblestone walks branch off into the garden spaces. The one on the right leads to a flagstone with cobblestone border patio space. Since the home has no designated backyard like most modern suburban homes the outdoor living space had to be placed in what would traditionally be thought of as the front of the house. The patio is separated from the entrance walk by the yew hedge and further enclosed by three Amelanchiers and a variety of plantings including modern cultivars of old fashioned plants such as Itea and Hydrangea. A third entrance, the original front door to the 1840’s era section, connects to the patio from the home’s kitchen, making the space ideal for outdoor dining. The gravel and cobblestone walk branching off to the left of the front door leads to the vegetable and perennial gardens. The idea for the vegetable garden was to recreate the tradition of a kitchen garden which would have been planted close to the residence for easy access. The vegetable garden is surrounded by mixed perennial beds along the inside of the wood picket fence which surrounds the entire garden space. Another area designated for a bench is provided here to encourage stopping and viewing. The home’s original smokehouse, completely restored and used as a garden shed, provides a strong architectural focal point to the vegetable garden. Behind the smokehouse is planted lilacs and other plants to give mass and balance to the corner and help screen the garden from the neighboring subdivision. At the rear corner of the garden a wood arbor was constructed to provide a structure on which to grow grapes or other vines should the homeowners choose to. The landscape and gardens for this restored farmhouse and property are a thoughtfully designed and planned recreation of a historic landscape reinterpreted for modern living. The idea was to give a sense of timelessness when walking through the gardens as if they had been there for years but had possibly been updated and rejuvenated as lifestyles changed. The attention to materials and craftsmanship blend seamlessly with the residence and insure the gardens and landscape remain an integral part of the property. The farm has been in the homeowner’s family for many years and they are thrilled at the results and happy to see respect given to the home’s history and to its meticulous restoration.

Black and white can never make a comeback, because it's always around. Such a classic combo that never gets old and we had lots of fun creating a fun and functional space in this jack and jill bathroom. Used by one of the client's sons as well as being the bathroom for overnight guests, this space needed to not only have enough foot space for two, but be "cool" enough for a teenage boy to appreciate and show off to his friends. The vanity cabinet is a freestanding unit from WW Woods Shiloh collection in their Black paint color. A simple inset door style - Aspen - keeps it looking clean while really making it a furniture look. All of the tile is marble and sourced from Daltile, in Carrara White and Nero Marquina (black). The accent wall is the 6" hex black/white blend. All of the plumbing fixtures and hardware are from the Brizo Litze collection in a Luxe Gold finish. Countertop is Caesarstone Blizzard 3cm quartz.

Welcome to our latest kitchen renovation project, where classic French elegance meets contemporary design in the heart of Great Falls, VA. In this transformation, we aim to create a stunning kitchen space that exudes sophistication and charm, capturing the essence of timeless French style with a modern twist. Our design centers around a harmonious blend of light gray and off-white tones, setting a serene and inviting backdrop for this kitchen makeover. These neutral hues will work in harmony to create a calming ambiance and enhance the natural light, making the kitchen feel open and welcoming. To infuse a sense of nature and add a striking focal point, we have carefully selected green cabinets. The rich green hue, reminiscent of lush gardens, brings a touch of the outdoors into the space, creating a unique and refreshing visual appeal. The cabinets will be thoughtfully placed to optimize both functionality and aesthetics. Throughout the project, our focus is on creating a seamless integration of design elements to produce a cohesive and visually stunning kitchen. The cabinetry, hood, light fixture, and other details will be meticulously crafted using high-quality materials, ensuring longevity and a timeless appeal. Countertop Material: Quartzite Cabinet: Frameless Custom cabinet Stove: Ilve 48" Hood: Plaster field made Lighting: Hudson Valley Lighting

This Rainbow Fish Mural runs throughout all three rooms of this Jack & Jill bath. Built-in pullout stools that look like drawers make using the sink easy for little kids. Round penny floor tile with metallic silver grout, wave light fixtures & watery glass wall tile finish off the theme & make this bath so much fun for 3 lucky kids! Hall Of Portraits

This Farmhouse style home was designed around the separate spaces and wraps or hugs around the courtyard, it’s inviting, comfortable and timeless. A welcoming entry and sliding doors suggest indoor/ outdoor living through all of the private and public main spaces including the Entry, Kitchen, living, and master bedroom. Another major design element for the interior of this home called the “galley” hallway, features high clerestory windows and creative entrances to two of the spaces. Custom Double Sliding Barn Doors to the office and an oversized entrance with sidelights and a transom window, frame the main entry and draws guests right through to the rear courtyard. The owner’s one-of-a-kind creative craft room and laundry room allow for open projects to rest without cramping a social event in the public spaces. Lastly, the HUGE but unassuming 2,200 sq ft garage provides two tiers and space for a full sized RV, off road vehicles and two daily drivers. This home is an amazing example of balance between on-site toy storage, several entertaining space options and private/quiet time and spaces alike.

Lots of seating, lots of storage, and stylish built-ins provide functional elegance to this busy family's active lifestyle. The sandstone fireplace surround replaced with linear marble mosaic, and integrated flat screen, and flush fireplace update the space with timeless materials in a fresh setting. Jerry Hayes Photography

Having a small child, loving to entertain and looking to declutter and kid-proof the gathering spaces of their home in the quaint village of Rockville Centre, Long Island, a stone’s throw from Manhattan, our client’s main objective was to have their living room and den transformed with a family friendly home makeover with mid-century modern tones boasting a formal, yet relaxed spirit Stepping into the home we found their living room and den both architecturally well appointed yet in need of modern transitional furniture pieces and the pops of color our clients admired, as there was a substantial amount of cool, cold grays in the rooms. Decor Aid designer Vivian C. approached the design and placement of the pieces sourced to be kid-friendly while remaining sophisticated and practical for entertaining. “We played off of the clients love for blush pinks, mid-century modern and turquoise. We played with the use of gold and silver metals to mix it up.” In the living room, we used the prominent bay window and its illuminating natural light as the main architectural focal point, while the fireplace and mantels soft white tone helped inform the minimalist color palette for which we styled the room around. To add warmth to the living room we played off of the clients love for blush pinks and turquoise while elevating the room with flashes of gold and silver metallic pieces. For a sense of play and to tie the space together we punctuated the kid-friendly living room with an eclectic juxtaposition of colors and materials, from a beautifully patchworked geometric cowhide rug from All Modern, to a whimsical mirror placed over an unexpected, bold geometric credenza, to the blush velvet barrel chair and abstract blue watercolor pillows. “When sourcing furniture and objects, we chose items that had rounded edges and were shatter proof as it was vital to keep each room’s decor childproof.” Vivian ads. Their vision for the den remained chic, with comfort and practical functionality key to create an area for the young family to come together. For the den, our main challenge was working around the pre-existing dark gray sectional sofa. To combat its chunkiness, we played off of the hues in the cubist framed prints placed above and focused on blue and orange accents which complement and play off of each other well. We selected orange storage ottomans in easy to clean, kid-friendly leather to maximize space and functionality. To personalize the appeal of the den we included black and white framed family photos. In the end, the result created a fun, relaxed space where our clients can enjoy family moments or watch a game while taking in the scenic view of their backyard. For harmony between the rooms, the overall tone for each room is mid-century modern meets bold, yet classic contemporary through the use of mixed materials and fabrications including marble, stone, metals and plush velvet, creating a cozy yet sophisticated enough atmosphere for entertaining family and friends and raising a young children. “The result od this family friendly room was really fantastic! Adding some greenery, more pillows and throws really made the space pop.” Vivian C. Decor Aid’s Designer

This modern Aspen interior design defined by clean lines, timeless furnishings and neutral color pallet contrast strikingly with the rugged landscape of the Colorado Rockies that create the stunning panoramic view for the full height windows. The large fireplace is built with solid stone giving the room strength while the massive timbers supporting the ceiling give the room a grand feel. The centrally located bar makes a great place to gather while multiple spaces to lounge and relax give you and your guest the option of where to unwind.

Tranquil bedrooms with a contemporary style show off cool color palettes and warm textures. Comfort is taken to a whole new level with plush upholstering, tufted textiles, and luxurious area rugs -- the layered fabrics create the perfect oasis to retreat to after a long and busy day. Artwork and artisanal lighting add a touch of timeless trend, which, when paired with the overall softness of the space, create a balance between comfort and sophistication.

Carrera marble in all its glory is the big show stopper in this Bolton Hill rowhome master bath renovation. What started as a cramped, chopped up room was opened into a sparkling, luxurious space evocative of timeless Old World mansion baths. The result demonstrates what’s possible when mixing multiple marble tile shapes, colors and patterns. To visually frame the bathroom, we installed 6” x 12” honed Carrera marble tiles laid in a herringbone pattern for wainscotting, and carried the same marble pattern into the shower stall in order to create depth and dimension. The wainscotting is set off by beautifully-detailed Carrera marble chair rail and black tile pencil moulding. Carrera hex shower tiles, marble sills and bench, and intricate Carrera and black mosaic flooring complete the marble details. The crisp white double vanity and inconspicuous builtins tastefully compliment the marble, and the brass cabinet hardware, mirrors and plumbing and lighting fixtures add a burst of color to the room.

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   The Klimala’s and their three kids are no strangers to moving, this being their fifth house in the same town over the 20-year period they have lived there. “It must be the 7-year itch, because every seven years, we seem to find ourselves antsy for a new project or a new environment. I think part of it is being a designer, I see my own taste evolve and I want my environment to reflect that. Having easy access to wonderful tradesmen and a knowledge of the process makes it that much easier”. This time, Klimala’s fell in love with a somewhat unlikely candidate. The 1950’s ranch turned cape cod was a bit of a mutt, but it’s location 5 minutes from their design studio and backing up to the high school where their kids can roll out of bed and walk to school, coupled with the charm of its location on a private road and lush landscaping made it an appealing choice for them. “The bones of the house were really charming. It was typical 1,500 square foot ranch that at some point someone added a second floor to. Its sloped roofline and dormered bedrooms gave it some charm.” With the help of architect Maureen McHugh, Klimala’s gutted and reworked the layout to make the house work for them. An open concept kitchen and dining room allows for more frequent casual family dinners and dinner parties that linger. A dingy 3-season room off the back of the original house was insulated, given a vaulted ceiling with skylights and now opens up to the kitchen. This room now houses an 8’ raw edge white oak dining table and functions as an informal dining room. “One of the challenges with these mid-century homes is the 8’ ceilings. I had to have at least one room that had a higher ceiling so that’s how we did it” states Klimala. The kitchen features a 10’ island which houses a 5’0” Galley Sink. The Galley features two faucets, and double tiered rail system to which accessories such as cutting boards and stainless steel bowls can be added for ease of cooking. Across from the large sink is an induction cooktop. “My two teen daughters and I enjoy cooking, and the Galley and induction cooktop make it so easy.” A wall of tall cabinets features a full size refrigerator, freezer, double oven and built in coffeemaker. The area on the opposite end of the kitchen features a pantry with mirrored glass doors and a beverage center below. The rest of the first floor features an entry way, a living room with views to the front yard’s lush landscaping, a family room where the family hangs out to watch TV, a back entry from the garage with a laundry room and mudroom area, one of the home’s four bedrooms and a full bath. There is a double sided fireplace between the family room and living room. The home features pops of color from the living room’s peach grass cloth to purple painted wall in the family room. “I’m definitely a traditionalist at heart but because of the home’s Midcentury roots, I wanted to incorporate some of those elements into the furniture, lighting and accessories which also ended up being really fun. We are not formal people so I wanted a house that my kids would enjoy, have their friends over and feel comfortable.” The second floor houses the master bedroom suite, two of the kids’ bedrooms and a back room nicknamed “the library” because it has turned into a quiet get away area where the girls can study or take a break from the rest of the family. The area was originally unfinished attic, and because the home was short on closet space, this Jack and Jill area off the girls’ bedrooms houses two large walk-in closets and a small sitting area with a makeup vanity. “The girls really wanted to keep the exposed brick of the fireplace that runs up the through the space, so that’s what we did, and I think they feel like they are in their own little loft space in the city when they are up there” says Klimala. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Carlos Vergara For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com