The client was working with a very small space that couldn’t be expanded, but they wanted to create an island. The designer ended up creating a peninsula work space that gave them the feel of an island without invading as much of the limited space. Open shelves we also brought in to create a more welcoming atmosphere, while creating the illusion of more space. Finally, an earthy-green backsplash was added to add color and texture to the kitchen. “Fresh Compact Eat-in Kitchen remodel with an open concept and fun atmosphere. Design by Gillman’s” — Dura Supreme Cabinetry Treve Johnson Photography

We used: Custom cherry cabinetry in Arts & Crafts Shaker style by Kabinart in Boulder and Espresso stains. Liberty Hardware Venetian bronze 1-1/2" cabinet knobs. KitchenAid Architect II Series 22 CF counter-depth French door refrigerator. KitchenAid Architect Series II 27" convection single wall oven. KitchenAid 36" 6-burner dual fuel freestanding commercial-style range. KitchenAid Architect II Series 24" dishwasher. Sharp Insight Pro Series 24" built-in microwave drawer (Model #KB6524PS). Crystorama Solaris 12" wide pendant lights in English bronze. Granite countertops in Brown Fantasy. 3"x6" polished marble backsplash. Paint colors: Walls: Glidden Silver Cloud 30YY 63/024 Ceilings/Trims/Doors: Glidden Swan White GLC23 Robert B. Narod Photography

Engineered cedar siding creates beautiful gray-blue tones at the exterior of the home, while adding a textural element to activate the simple exterior design.

This project was a complete gut renovation of a 1979 condo in Palo Alto, CA. Our frequent traveler clients needed a place where they could relax and reconnect every time they return, thus the destination is always home. We focused on a fresh look and layout while embracing bold, new concepts. The original layout was a bit tricky - tight walkways, jogging angled walls, and a cramped, closed-in kitchen. It was necessary to reimagine these spaces for better connection between the dining room and the kitchen as well as creating more generous and functional space in the home office and closets. In the kitchen, the teal-colored cabinets were inspired by an antique piece of furniture, where the wood grain beneath was visible. We were able to bring in fun pops of color by mixing cabinet finishes. Another detail we love is the contrast of the stunning black Bertazonni hood, complemented by the stainless steel electric range. The black soapstone countertop is durable and can be oiled or waxed instead of needing to be chemically sealed. Our clients love to entertain guests so we utilized curved lines on the peninsula countertop as well as the oval tulip table to enhance flow between the kitchen and dining spaces. The bespoke banquet and barstools allow for a variety of entertaining possibilities. We took a cue from our client’s art collection - the punches of color and the overall sense of drama in each piece informed the project’s analogous color-inspired palette. In the dining room, you can see the yellows and greens in the artwork above the table carry into the ochre dining chairs, gorgeous green sofa, and beautiful warm brass accents in the kitchen. The blue in the peninsula cabinets and pendant lighting is the third entrancing color of the analogous palette. We meticulously curated every element of the layout for maximum functionality and show-stopping moments. Our clients now have a colorful, customized space where they can reconnect and enjoy their time at home.

Design Consultant Jeff Doubét is the author of Creating Spanish Style Homes: Before & After – Techniques – Designs – Insights. The 240 page “Design Consultation in a Book” is now available. Please visit SantaBarbaraHomeDesigner.com for more info. Jeff Doubét specializes in Santa Barbara style home and landscape designs. To learn more info about the variety of custom design services I offer, please visit SantaBarbaraHomeDesigner.com Jeff Doubét is the Founder of Santa Barbara Home Design - a design studio based in Santa Barbara, California USA.

Two Birds Photography
Kids' room - transitional kids' room idea in Chicago

THE DOOR NAME ORIGIN - "ALLUMINIO ELIVIA VERTICAL WOOD GRAIN 4HS" Of all the interior door models in the Elivia collection, this one is perhaps the most unapologetically elegant. Why? Hmm … That which is self-evident can be the most difficult to explain. Is it because it is built using the latest breakthroughs in interior door making technology? Look at the finish: the process of applying it utilizes something called “stretching” by professionals, which is to say that instead of simply slapping the finish on top of the interior door’s surface, our company fuses (for lack of a better word) the materials (on molecular level, no less), the result being that the finished product is more warp-resistant, scratch-resistant, and fade-proof than any interior door put together in the past. This is especially important in climates known for their high humidity levels. Yes, but this has more to do with engineering than aesthetics, right? Okay, so, is this interior door super-elegant because it features all the wonderful state-of-the-art hardware, specifically, the 3D adjustable, self-lubricating concealed hinges (made in Italy, by the way – a country which is, arguably, the birthplace of elegance as a concept)? Self-lubricating means your interior door will never creak. 3D-adjustable means that the installation is quick and precise (far more so than what you’d expect from ordinary hinges). Concealed means, of course, that the pin will not be visible from either side of the interior door when it’s closed. Actually, there is no pin. Neat, isn’t it? Would that be it? Perhaps. Elegance in interior doors is a tricky concept. It combines (well, at least in the case of this particular interior door model it does) the “wow!” effect with the long-term agreeability. How so, you might ask. Well. It gets your favorable attention the first time you set eyes on it (the “wow” part); after which, you’ll never get tired of looking at it. For as long as you own it, it’ll always be easy on the eyes. That must be it. Maybe. Maybe not. There’s more. This interior door is almost certainly Italian in spirit. Italian culture is rooted in Greco-Roman (Italian designers are very proud of that fact). Look at the vertical latitudinal orientation (which is to say the direction) of the wood grain. Pointing upward means creating additional visual space, pushing the ceiling higher (because your ceilings can never be too high). This is a time-proven architectural trick which ancient Greeks, with their characteristic tongue-in-cheek humor, referred to as “optical correction.” (By the way, if you’d sooner increase, the visual horizontal space of your room, you should look into this interior door’s sister – with the appropriate direction of the wood grain). And then there’s the 4HS part, which stands for four horizontal stripes – resembling the four strings on the violin: the ultimate elegant musical instrument if there ever was one. In its present form, the violin appeared in early Sixteenth Century in (guess …) northern Italy. Of course. To be fair, it quickly gained popularity throughout Europe, and the rest of the world soon after. It’s elegance (the appearance as well as the sound) agreed with both street musicians and the nobility. The French king Charles IX ordered an Italian master to construct twenty-four violins for him in the year 1560. Was the violin the source of inspiration for our designers? Let’s move on to the finish.

lisa pétrole

This modern bathroom wall is a very dark grey tile made from recycled stone dust. Its color is PB 3106 Dark Grey and is in the brushed texture.
Example of a mid-sized minimalist master gray tile and stone tile bathroom design in Miami with gray walls

Custom leaded glass panel used for privacy and charm in small window of front entry door. Glass: clear textured glass (granite, 1/16" reed, beveled glue chip) and beveled glass Lead: 3/16" rounded Size: 1 @ ~8" x 18" x 1/4" thick *This product was commissioned and made-to-order. If you're interested in this design, let's chat! We can recreate it for you to your specified dimensions, or we can discuss any design changes you'd like, as well as additional options for materials (glass texture, color, lead size, etc.). Reach out to hello@legacyglass.com to get started!

Wavy mother of pearl porcelain tile, wavy white tile for bathroom shower or backsplash. Perfect for fireplace or accent wall
Example of a trendy bathroom design in Los Angeles

Living space with curved clear cedar ceilings, built-in media and storage walls, custom artwork and custom furniture - Interior Architecture: HAUS | Architecture + LEVEL Interiors - Photography: Ryan Kurtz

This railing was the first planned update of the Fort Collins, CO couples home renovation. The wavy lines give the room a natural feel. Design and fabrication by Hueber Industries LLC. Photo: Rory Schaar.

Example of a trendy gray tile, multicolored tile and white tile mosaic tile floor and gray floor walk-in shower design in Austin with a hinged shower door

Exquisite and unique, Calacatta Classique Quartz stuns with its clean whites and striking through-body veining. This showstopper countertop offers the look of luxurious marble in durable and maintenance-free quartz.

Georgia Coast Design & Construction - Southern Living Custom Builder Showcase Home at St. Simons Island, GA Built on a one-acre, lakefront lot on the north end of St. Simons Island, the Southern Living Custom Builder Showcase Home is characterized as Old World European featuring exterior finishes of Mosstown brick and Old World stucco, Weathered Wood colored designer shingles, cypress beam accents and a handcrafted Mahogany door. Inside the three-bedroom, 2,400-square-foot showcase home, Old World rustic and modern European style blend with high craftsmanship to create a sense of timeless quality, stability, and tranquility. Behind the scenes, energy efficient technologies combine with low maintenance materials to create a home that is economical to maintain for years to come. The home's open floor plan offers a dining room/kitchen/great room combination with an easy flow for entertaining or family interaction. The interior features arched doorways, textured walls and distressed hickory floors.

Complete luxury with this large walk-in shower. Overhead rainfall panel and two separate shower heads keep you warm and relaxed. The tile is a rustic barnwood look with small travertine squares for the inset.

Contemporary Parisian style artwork in a bedroom setting.
Example of a minimalist bedroom design in Los Angeles