Tradition meets today in this pared-down classic. The enduring charm of inset cabinetry is combined with double-door wall cabinets, a graceful ogee profile, and recessed panel doors to recall vintage style. The color scheme establishes the light / dark theme: white perimeter cabinets support honed “Jet Mist” granite tops, while the black paneled island features 2” thick marble-like quartz. Antique bin pulls are reinterpreted here with an updated square silhouette and repeat the brass accents on the knobs and island pendant trims. Continuing the nostalgia is the timeless apron-front “farmhouse” sink. Handmade subway tiles yield understated depth to the backsplash. Holding the place of honor over the range is a mosaic of stylized houndstooth echoing the neutral palette. That pattern is playfully reiterated in the pillows on the paneled banquette. Contemporary touches are found in the cheerful red cushion, double tripod table base, and the simple brass-lined dome pendant. Adjacent to the kitchen is a dramatic black wet bar whose Gothic mullion doors reflect the curve of the demilune base cabinet. The focal point is another mosaic backsplash, here with a diamond motif. Mixed metals make a statement with a satin nickel faucet, hammered nickel bar sink, and brass decorative hardware. This project was designed by Bilotta Designer Paula Greer in collaboration with Maria LoIacono Interiors. Written by Paulette Gambacorta adapted for Houzz.

Dialogue Design
Example of a trendy l-shaped brown floor kitchen design in Toronto with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, glass sheet backsplash, black appliances, an island and white countertops

In this Cedar Rapids residence, sophistication meets bold design, seamlessly integrating dynamic accents and a vibrant palette. Every detail is meticulously planned, resulting in a captivating space that serves as a modern haven for the entire family. The upper level is a versatile haven for relaxation, work, and rest. It features a discreet Murphy bed, elegantly concealed behind a striking large artwork. This clever integration blends functionality and aesthetics, creating a space that seamlessly transforms with a touch of sophistication. Project by Wiles Design Group. Their Cedar Rapids-based design studio serves the entire Midwest, including Iowa City, Dubuque, Davenport, and Waterloo, as well as North Missouri and St. Louis. For more about Wiles Design Group, see here: https://wilesdesigngroup.com/ To learn more about this project, see here: https://wilesdesigngroup.com/dramatic-family-home

Trendy bathroom photo in Los Angeles

Here in Florida, we’re blessed with great weather year-round. So it’s no surprise that outdoor entertaining areas are an extremely popular way to enhance outdoor living. When our clients requested an update to their existing outdoor kitchen while they were away on vacation, we were ready to hit the ground running. While their beautiful 2-story home on a golf course had a pool and covered lanai area, the existing outdoor kitchen just didn’t function well for their needs. Mainly, they craved additional counter space and more seating. And, as avid football fans, with a son playing on a renown Division 1 college team, they also wanted a large screen TV to watch games. After all, what better way to share game day excitement than at a barbecue with family and friends? A Bigger, Better Kitchen Layout Our brilliant design team came up with a much larger, u-shaped outdoor kitchen layout for increased functionality. The extra base cabinets provided plenty of storage as well as a foundation for additional countertop space. Adjacent to the sink, we added a 24” outdoor refrigerator to keep food and beverages chilled, and the high top bar allowed for more seating around the perimeter. For cooking, our clients selected a much larger Lynx grill and side burner to replace the original grill. While the kitchen was already set up for a grilling area, it required a hood, so we built and installed a custom hood for proper ventilation. Then, we added a large screen TV above the hood for easy viewing. Finishing Touches To softly illuminate the entire space at night, we installed additional recessed light fixtures into the ceiling and under the grill hood. We also tied the Cypress wood ceiling and the crown molding together into the design with a luxurious cabinet stain. Along with these finishing touches, we added a decorative travertine stone backsplash behind the grill and homogenized the front face of the bar for a polished, matching look. Ventilation Challenges With the outdoor kitchen lanai located directly under a second-floor living area, we had expected to tuck away ventilation ductwork between the second-level floor joists and the exterior wall running parallel to the grill hood. However, upon further investigation, we discovered the second floor joist system, in fact, ran perpendicular to the grill hood. In short, we needed a new way to hide the venting without compromising the original design. Our team came up with an inspired solution: Construction of a false wall behind the outdoor kitchen allowed us to run ductwork without creating a visible chase for the vent, thus maintaining a symmetrical look on both sides of the grill and decorative hood. Exceeding Expectations In the end, we didn’t just meet our clients’ needs for a beautiful outdoor kitchen update – we exceeded them. As planned, we completed the new outdoor kitchen while they were out of town. But when our clients returned from vacation, they were so impressed with the results (and the stress-free design/build experience) that they promptly hired us for another extensive remodel – a stunning home addition!

The major objective of this home was to craft something entirely unique; based on our client’s international travels, and tailored to their ideal lifestyle. Every detail, selection and method was individual to this project. The design included personal touches like a dog shower for their Great Dane, a bar downstairs to entertain, and a TV tucked away in the den instead of on display in the living room. Great design doesn’t just happen. It’s a product of work, thought and exploration. For our clients, they looked to hotels they love in New York and Croatia, Danish design, and buildings that are architecturally artistic and ideal for displaying art. Our part was to take these ideas and actually build them. Every door knob, hinge, material, color, etc. was meticulously researched and crafted. Most of the selections are custom built either by us, or by hired craftsman.

Can you spot the jungle?⁠⠀This is a DIY garden I designed conceptually and that was executed by the client based on my observations of what they like/not and their style of living, putting them in touch with the relevant suppliers I knew. What I love best though is their beautiful execution and loved the collaboration that occurred throughout the project and their continued dedication to its maintenance. ⁠⠀

Custom artwork showcases the birth place of the homeowners fabricated from copper and attached to a plywood canvas with custom frame. Art is finished with the longitude and latitude of Seattle and Manchester and centered above a vintage console table with custom touches. Console was painted with chalk paint, a base was added to raise the console height and copper hardware was selected to coordinate with art. Photo by Cory Holland - Holland Photography

This very creative customer challenged us with some great design ideas, and we love challenges! This custom closet included two pullout shoe towers, full length mirrored doors on touch latches with pullout drawers and shelving behind, bench seats flanking the entrance with large drawers in them, a pullout shelf, crown and base moulding, and all the shelving and hanging space she could ever want!

The classic Greek Key motif adds a visually-striking touch to this polished walnut dining table. The breathtaking beauty of this table comes both from its gorgeous, cathedral-cut wood grain and its sinuously curved gold leaf metal base. A gold stretcher adorned with the iconic Greek Key pattern wraps around the base, creating an aesthetically pleasing silhouette that's impossible to ignore. The perfect place for family dinners or just coffee and desserts with close friends. Accompanied by upholstered host chairs in complementing rose gold fabric.

A bright and modern entryway that showcases plenty of color and artwork. Vibrantly patterned area rugs and abstract artwork offer a cheerful welcome, while the sculptures and artisan lighting add a fun touch of luxury and intrigue. The finishing touches are the high-vaulted ceilings and skylights, which offer an abundance of natural light. Home located in Beverly Hill, California. Designed by Florida based interior design firm Crespo Design Group, who also serves Malibu, Tampa, New York City, the Caribbean, and other areas throughout the United States.

Cia Gould
Inspiration for a large modern landscaping in San Francisco.

“We were able to let natural light into the kitchen from both the east side and west side of the house. Before the remodel, our kitchen was dark because of the color scheme and having only the one window on the east side of the house. Now our kitchen/dining room is full of natural light!” The couple chose Semihandmade’s 30″ white Supermatte Shaker cabinetry and Shaker drawers along with white IKEA UTRUSTA shelving and drawer fronts and corner base cabinets with pullout fittings; white IKEA MAXIMERA drawers and pullout interior fittings.

Space
Inspiration for a farmhouse dark wood floor kitchen remodel in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

Colour, balance of shapes and volumes, functionality and a small touch of measured eccentricity are the key elements that characterize the Melián Randolph style. A personal signature based on a taste for visual aesthetics that recreates the Mediterranean atmosphere, transmitting the love and joy of art, traveling and life. For this emblematic “Biarritz” project they chose our reference nº 10435 in colours B and B2 to harmonise with the proximity of the ocean and the blue sky of the south of France. http://www.melianrandolph.com/

Etoile is a modern open base sofa, with square, softly proportioned lines and a simple metal foot detail that extends and integrates elegantly into the armrest. Accentuated stitching and piping detail adds a touch of style. The headrest is adjustable on all versions of this model.

We discussed the location of the sink and decided if we moved it to the other wall, it could be centered under the window, thus making it a more pleasurable when working at it. This created a long and more functional countertop to the right. We chose Caesarstone for the durability and ease of maintenance in a Carrera marble look for the countertops. This is complimented by the gray subway style tile backsplash with crisp white grout. State-of-the-art appliances were included in the new floor plan: a microwave set in the upper cabinet, wine cooler below, new dishwasher with a panel to match the cabinets, a new stainless steel refrigerator, and a new professional style range and hood. The alcove for the range received the same tile backsplash, but we used a herringbone pattern to accent the feature wall. We also created a niche in the side wall to provide handy storage for spices. The base cabinets contain spice pullout storage. The original wood framing around the alcove was treated to a new coat of white paint to match the cabinets. Mary Broerman, CCIDC

Completed in 2015, this project incorporates a Scandinavian vibe to enhance the modern architecture and farmhouse details. The vision was to create a balanced and consistent design to reflect clean lines and subtle rustic details, which creates a calm sanctuary. The whole home is not based on a design aesthetic, but rather how someone wants to feel in a space, specifically the feeling of being cozy, calm, and clean. This home is an interpretation of modern design without focusing on one specific genre; it boasts a midcentury master bedroom, stark and minimal bathrooms, an office that doubles as a music den, and modern open concept on the first floor. It’s the winner of the 2017 design award from the Austin Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and has been on the Tribeza Home Tour; in addition to being published in numerous magazines such as on the cover of Austin Home as well as Dwell Magazine, the cover of Seasonal Living Magazine, Tribeza, Rue Daily, HGTV, Hunker Home, and other international publications. ---- Featured on Dwell! https://www.dwell.com/article/sustainability-is-the-centerpiece-of-this-new-austin-development-071e1a55