Inspiration for a deck remodel in Chicago

The owners of a charming home in the hills west of Paso Robles recently decided to remodel their not-so-charming kitchen. Referred to San Luis Kitchen by several of their friends, the homeowners visited our showroom and soon decided we were the best people to design a kitchen fitting the style of their home. We were delighted to get to work on the project right away. When we arrived at the house, we found a small, cramped and out-dated kitchen. The ceiling was low, the cabinets old fashioned and painted a stark dead white, and the best view in the house was neglected in a seldom-used breakfast nook (sequestered behind the kitchen peninsula). This kitchen was also handicapped by white tile counters with dark grout, odd-sized and cluttered cabinets, and small ‘desk’ tacked on to the side of the oven cabinet. Due to a marked lack of counter space & inadequate storage the homeowner had resorted to keeping her small appliances on a little cart parked in the corner and the garbage was just sitting by the wall in full view of everything! On the plus side, the kitchen opened into a nice dining room and had beautiful saltillo tile floors. Mrs. Homeowner loves to entertain and often hosts dinner parties for her friends. She enjoys visiting with her guests in the kitchen while putting the finishing touches on the evening’s meal. Sadly, her small kitchen really limited her interactions with her guests – she often felt left out of the mix at her own parties! This savvy homeowner dreamed big – a new kitchen that would accommodate multiple workstations, have space for guests to gather but not be in the way, and maybe a prettier transition from the kitchen to the dining (wine service area or hutch?) – while managing the remodel budget by reusing some of her major appliances and keeping (patching as needed) her existing floors. Responding to the homeowner’s stated wish list and the opportunities presented by the home's setting and existing architecture, the designers at San Luis Kitchen decided to expand the kitchen into the breakfast nook. This change allowed the work area to be reoriented to take advantage of the great view – we replaced the existing window and added another while moving the door to gain space. A second sink and set of refrigerator drawers (housing fresh fruits & veggies) were included for the convenience of this mainly vegetarian cook – her prep station. The clean-up area now boasts a farmhouse style single bowl sink – adding to the ‘cottage’ charm. We located a new gas cook-top between the two workstations for easy access from each. Also tucked in here is a pullout trash/recycle cabinet for convenience and additional drawers for storage. Running parallel to the work counter we added a long butcher-block island with easy-to-access open shelves for the avid cook and seating for friendly guests placed just right to take in the view. A counter-top garage is used to hide excess small appliances. Glass door cabinets and open shelves are now available to display the owners beautiful dishware. The microwave was placed inconspicuously on the end of the island facing the refrigerator – easy access for guests (and extraneous family members) to help themselves to drinks and snacks while staying out of the cook’s way. We also moved the pantry storage away from the dining room (putting it on the far wall and closer to the work triangle) and added a furniture-like hutch in its place allowing the more formal dining area to flow seamlessly into the up-beat work area of the kitchen. This space is now also home (opposite wall) to an under counter wine refrigerator, a liquor cabinet and pretty glass door wall cabinet for stemware storage – meeting Mr. Homeowner’s desire for a bar service area. And then the aesthetic: an old-world style country cottage theme. The homeowners wanted the kitchen to have a warm feel while still loving the look of white cabinetry. San Luis Kitchen melded country-casual knotty pine base cabinets with vintage hand-brushed creamy white wall cabinets to create the desired cottage look. We also added bead board and mullioned glass doors for charm, used an inset doorstyle on the cabinets for authenticity, and mixed stone and wood counters to create an eclectic nuance in the space. All in all, the happy homeowners now boast a charming county cottage kitchen with plenty of space for entertaining their guests while creating gourmet meals to feed them. Credits: Custom cabinetry by Wood-Mode Fine Custom Cabinetry Contracting by Michael Pezzato of Lost Coast Construction Stone counters by Pyramid M.T.M.

Brad Haines knows a thing or two about building things. The intensely creative and innovative founder of Oklahoma City-based Haines Capital is the driving force behind numerous successful companies including Bank 7 (NASDAQ BSVN), which proudly reported record year-end earnings since going public in September of last year. He has beautifully built, renovated, and personally thumb printed all of his commercial spaces and residences. “Our theory is to keep things sophisticated but comfortable,” Brad says. That’s the exact approach he took in his personal haven in Nichols Hills, Oklahoma. Painstakingly renovated over the span of two years by Candeleria Foster Design-Build of Oklahoma City, his home boasts museum-white, authentic Venetian plaster walls and ceilings; charcoal tiled flooring; imported marble in the master bath; and a pretty kitchen you’ll want to emulate. Reminiscent of an edgy luxury hotel, it is a vibe conjured by Cantoni designer Nicole George. “The new remodel plan was all about opening up the space and layering monochromatic color with lots of texture,” says Nicole, who collaborated with Brad on two previous projects. “The color palette is minimal, with charcoal, bone, amber, stone, linen and leather.” “Sophisticated“Sophisticated“Sophisticated“Sophisticated“Sophisticated Nicole helped oversee space planning and selection of interior finishes, lighting, furnishings and fine art for the entire 7,000-square-foot home. It is now decked top-to-bottom in pieces sourced from Cantoni, beginning with the custom-ordered console at entry and a pair of Glacier Suspension fixtures over the stairwell. “Every angle in the house is the result of a critical thought process,” Nicole says. “We wanted to make sure each room would be purposeful.” To that end, “we reintroduced the ‘parlor,’ and also redefined the formal dining area as a bar and drink lounge with enough space for 10 guests to comfortably dine,” Nicole says. Brad’s parlor holds the Swing sectional customized in a silky, soft-hand charcoal leather crafted by prominent Italian leather furnishings company Gamma. Nicole paired it with the Kate swivel chair customized in a light grey leather, the sleek DK writing desk, and the Black & More bar cabinet by Malerba. “Nicole has a special design talent and adapts quickly to what we expect and like,” Brad says. To create the restaurant-worthy dining space, Nicole brought in a black-satin glass and marble-topped dining table and mohair-velvet chairs, all by Italian maker Gallotti & Radice. Guests can take a post-dinner respite on the adjoining room’s Aston sectional by Gamma. In the formal living room, Nicole paired Cantoni’s Fashion Affair club chairs with the Black & More cocktail table, and sofas sourced from Désirée, an Italian furniture upholstery company that creates cutting-edge yet comfortable pieces. The color-coordinating kitchen and breakfast area, meanwhile, hold a set of Guapa counter stools in ash grey leather, and the Ray dining table with light-grey leather Cattelan Italia chairs. The expansive loggia also is ideal for entertaining and lounging with the Versa grand sectional, the Ido cocktail table in grey aged walnut and Dolly chairs customized in black nubuck leather. Nicole made most of the design decisions, but, “she took my suggestions seriously and then put me in my place,” Brad says. She had the master bedroom’s Marlon bed by Gamma customized in a remarkably soft black leather with a matching stitch and paired it with onyx gloss Black & More nightstands. “The furnishings absolutely complement the style,” Brad says. “They are high-quality and have a modern flair, but at the end of the day, are still comfortable and user-friendly.” The end result is a home Brad not only enjoys, but one that Nicole also finds exceptional. “I honestly love every part of this house,” Nicole says. “Working with Brad is always an adventure but a privilege that I take very seriously, from the beginning of the design process to installation.”

This refreshed kichen by Gina Rachelle Design shows us how a shorter tile backsplash can make a big difference. Photos by Max Maloney
Small trendy single-wall ceramic tile and gray floor eat-in kitchen photo in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, no island and white countertops

Overview Whole house refurbishment, double storey wrap around extension and large loft conversion. The Brief Create a WOW factor space, add glamour and fun and give the house a street side and garden side, both different. Our Solution This project was exciting from the start, the client wanted to entertain in a WOW factor space, have a panoramic view of the garden (which was to be landscaped), add bedrooms and a great master suite. We had some key elements to introduce such as an aquarium separating two rooms; double height spaces and a gloss kitchen, all of which manifest themselves in the completed scheme. Architecture is a process taking a schedule of areas, some key desires and needs, mixing the functionality and creating space. New spaces transform a house making it more valuable, giving it kerb appeal and making it feel like a different building. All of which happened at Ailsa Road.

This beautiful kitchen features Brookhaven "Edgemont Recessed" cabinetry. Perimeter cabinets are Alpine White on Maple and Island cabinets are Opaque Latte on Maple. Countertops are "Julia" Soapstone. Photo by John Martinelli

Just past the foyer, inspired columns and beautiful trim work separate the island kitchen and great room. A custom trim wrapped archway with columns brings modern personality to this traditional home. A second story overlook gives the entire home a open concept feel. Built by Raleigh Custom Home Builder Stanton Homes.

THEME The sheer delight of the merrygo- round — an enduring symbol of childhood — is captured in this beautiful room dedicated to the carousel. The ageless joy and beauty of a classic carousel creates a magical space where anything seems possible. FOCUS Designed for two special twins, the actual carousel in the room stands almost 14-feet tall and eight-and-a-half feet wide to hold two baby cribs. Two hand-painted carousel horses (that are also reproduced in framed photos above the changing tables) complete the authentic look. Window treatments start at the center of the carousel with fabric that arches out to each window to pull together the entire room. Custom fabrics are used throughout the space, and the entrance to the attic within the room is disguised with an oversized, vintage amusement park ticket. A television is framed on the wall with a monkey on top to ensure that even modern items have a vintage feel. STORAGE An 18-foot by 12-foot wall of letter blocks creates an abstract armoire that provides storage for clothes, toys, books and other items. The center blocks create a bench seat along the wall, while freestanding blocks within the room help add to the illusion that all of the blocks in the room are actually stacked. GROWTH The wall armoire can be easily updated to accommodate growing children by removing the letters and repainting the blocks in another style. SAFETY Everything in the room is secure, but if accidental falls or slips do occur, the floor has been custom made to be soft and safe. Twofoot square floor pads created with Medium Density Fiber board and two layers of carpet padding with fabric over top, cover the floor to create the feel of walking on pillows.

In this contemporary kitchen we combined cabinets in two finishes: glossy light grey acrylic and textured melamine with vertical wood grain. The open concept kitchen has a long island with a raised area that hides the 5' Galley sink. The casual island seating is conveniently located close to the refrigerator and the drawer style microwave hidden in the island. The two ovens are tucked under the counter on the two sides of the cook top, making this kitchen layout very practical for kosher cooking. For under cabinetry lights and accents we used LED strip lights and LED puck lights.

This sleek bathroom creates a serene and bright feeling by keeping things simple. The Wetstyle floating vanity is paired with matching wall cabinet and medicine for a simple unified focal point. Simple white subway tiles and trim are paired with Carrara marble mosaic floors for a bright timeless look.

SJB
Inspiration for a mid-sized farmhouse open concept living room remodel in Other with gray walls and a tv stand

Huge Contemporary Kitchen Designer: Teri Turan
Example of a huge transitional u-shaped porcelain tile and beige floor kitchen design in Atlanta with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, beige backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Aqua/blue Bathroom with Carrera Marble countertops, White cabinets with center upper cabinet, Wide spread faucets, Euro style cabinets. Framed Mirrors.

Every inch of this 4,200-square-foot condo on Las Olas—two units combined into one inside the tallest building in Fort Lauderdale—is dripping with glamour, starting right away in the entrance with Phillip Jeffries’ Cloud wallpaper and crushed velvet gold chairs by Koket. Along with tearing out some of the bathrooms and installing sleek and chic new vanities, Laure Nell Interiors outfitted the residence with all the accoutrements that make it perfect for the owners—two doctors without children—to enjoy an evening at home alone or entertaining friends and family. On one side of the condo, we turned the previous kitchen into a wet bar off the family room. Inspired by One Hotel, the aesthetic here gives off permanent vacation vibes. A large rattan light fixture sets a beachy tone above a custom-designed oversized sofa. Also on this side of the unit, a light and bright guest bedroom, affectionately named the Bali Room, features Phillip Jeffries’ silver leaf wallpaper and heirloom artifacts that pay homage to the Indian heritage of one of the owners. In another more-moody guest room, a Currey and Co. Grand Lotus light fixture gives off a golden glow against Phillip Jeffries’ dip wallcovering behind an emerald green bed, while an artist hand painted the look on each wall. The other side of the condo took on an aesthetic that reads: The more bling, the better. Think crystals and chrome and a 78-inch circular diamond chandelier. The main kitchen, living room (where we custom-surged together Surya rugs), dining room (embellished with jewelry-like chain-link Yale sconces by Arteriors), office, and master bedroom (overlooking downtown and the ocean) all reside on this side of the residence. And then there’s perhaps the jewel of the home: the powder room, illuminated by Tom Dixon pendants. The homeowners hiked Machu Picchu together and fell in love with a piece of art on their trip that we designed the entire bathroom around. It’s one of many personal objets found throughout the condo, making this project a true labor of love.

The beautiful, old barn on this Topsfield estate was at risk of being demolished. Before approaching Mathew Cummings, the homeowner had met with several architects about the structure, and they had all told her that it needed to be torn down. Thankfully, for the sake of the barn and the owner, Cummings Architects has a long and distinguished history of preserving some of the oldest timber framed homes and barns in the U.S. Once the homeowner realized that the barn was not only salvageable, but could be transformed into a new living space that was as utilitarian as it was stunning, the design ideas began flowing fast. In the end, the design came together in a way that met all the family’s needs with all the warmth and style you’d expect in such a venerable, old building. On the ground level of this 200-year old structure, a garage offers ample room for three cars, including one loaded up with kids and groceries. Just off the garage is the mudroom – a large but quaint space with an exposed wood ceiling, custom-built seat with period detailing, and a powder room. The vanity in the powder room features a vanity that was built using salvaged wood and reclaimed bluestone sourced right on the property. Original, exposed timbers frame an expansive, two-story family room that leads, through classic French doors, to a new deck adjacent to the large, open backyard. On the second floor, salvaged barn doors lead to the master suite which features a bright bedroom and bath as well as a custom walk-in closet with his and hers areas separated by a black walnut island. In the master bath, hand-beaded boards surround a claw-foot tub, the perfect place to relax after a long day. In addition, the newly restored and renovated barn features a mid-level exercise studio and a children’s playroom that connects to the main house. From a derelict relic that was slated for demolition to a warmly inviting and beautifully utilitarian living space, this barn has undergone an almost magical transformation to become a beautiful addition and asset to this stately home.

Having two young boys presents its own challenges, and when you have two of their best friends constantly visiting, you end up with four super active action heroes. This family wanted to dedicate a space for the boys to hangout. We took an ordinary basement and converted it into a playground heaven. A basketball hoop, climbing ropes, swinging chairs, rock climbing wall, and climbing bars, provide ample opportunity for the boys to let their energy out, and the built-in window seat is the perfect spot to catch a break. Tall built-in wardrobes and drawers beneath the window seat to provide plenty of storage for all the toys. You can guess where all the neighborhood kids come to hangout now ☺

This customer wanted to completely update the kitchen making it more modern, in preparation for possibly selling it in the next few years. The design, which included two-tone base and upper cabinets, Cambria SummerHill Quartz, chrome cabinet hardware, arabesque marble backsplash tile, and undercabinet lighting made the final product simply stellar!

This ranch was a complete renovation! We took it down to the studs and redesigned the space for this young family. We opened up the main floor to create a large kitchen with two islands and seating for a crowd and a dining nook that looks out on the beautiful front yard. We created two seating areas, one for TV viewing and one for relaxing in front of the bar area. We added a new mudroom with lots of closed storage cabinets, a pantry with a sliding barn door and a powder room for guests. We raised the ceilings by a foot and added beams for definition of the spaces. We gave the whole home a unified feel using lots of white and grey throughout with pops of orange to keep it fun.

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Our clients had been in their home since the early 1980’s and decided it was time for some updates. We took on the kitchen, two bathrooms and a powder room. The layout in the kitchen was functional for them, so we kept that pretty much as is. Our client wanted a contemporary-leaning transitional look — nice clean lines with a gray and white palette. Light gray cabinets with a slightly darker gray subway tile keep the northern exposure light and airy. They also purchased some new furniture for their breakfast room and adjoining family room, so the whole space looks completely styled and new. The light fixtures are staggered and give a nice rhythm to the otherwise serene feel. The homeowners were not 100% sold on the flooring choice for little powder room off the kitchen when I first showed it, but now they think it is one of the most interesting features of the design. I always try to “push” my clients a little bit because that’s when things can get really fun and this is what you are paying for after all, ideas that you may not come up with on your own. We also worked on the two upstairs bathrooms. We started first on the hall bath which was basically just in need of a face lift. The floor is porcelain tile made to look like carrera marble. The vanity is white Shaker doors fitted with a white quartz top. We re-glazed the cast iron tub. The master bath was a tub to shower conversion. We used a wood look porcelain plank on the main floor along with a Kohler Tailored vanity. The custom shower has a barn door shower door, and vinyl wallpaper in the sink area gives a rich textured look to the space. Overall, it’s a pretty sophisticated look for its smaller fooprint. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Alan Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com