Photography by Richard Mandelkorn
Example of a classic dark wood floor kitchen design in Boston with beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, white walls, an island, a farmhouse sink and stainless steel appliances

Landmark Photography
Country light wood floor kitchen photo in Minneapolis with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and beige countertops

Inspiration for a transitional single-sink alcove bathtub remodel in St Louis with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, a two-piece toilet, an undermount sink, white countertops and a freestanding vanity

Photography by Steve Tague | http://taguephoto.com/
Mountain style wood exterior home photo in Portland

Inspiration for a timeless multicolored tile home design remodel in Denver

An Arts & Crafts Bungalow is one of my favorite styles of homes. We have quite a few of them in our Stockton Mid-Town area. And when C&L called us to help them remodel their 1923 American Bungalow, I was beyond thrilled. As per usual, when we get a new inquiry, we quickly Google the project location while we are talking to you on the phone. My excitement escalated when I saw the Google Earth Image of the sweet Sage Green bungalow in Mid-Town Stockton. "Yes, we would be interested in working with you," I said trying to keep my cool. But what made it even better was meeting C&L and touring their home, because they are the nicest young couple, eager to make their home period perfect. Unfortunately, it had been slightly molested by some bad house-flippers, and we needed to bring the bathroom back to it "roots." We knew we had to banish the hideous brown tile and cheap vanity quickly. But C&L complained about the condensation problems and the constant fight with mold. This immediately told me that improper remodeling had occurred and we needed to remedy that right away. The Before: Frustrations with a Botched Remodel The bathroom needed to be brought back to period appropriate design with all the functionality of a modern bathroom. We thought of things like marble countertop, white mosaic floor tiles, white subway tile, board and batten molding, and of course a fabulous wallpaper. This small (and only) bathroom on a tight budget required a little bit of design sleuthing to figure out how we could get the proper look and feel. Our goal was to determine where to splurge and where to economize and how to complete the remodel as quickly as possible because C&L would have to move out while construction was going on. The Process: Hard Work to Remedy Design and Function During our initial design study, (which included 2 hours in the owners’ home), we noticed framed images of William Morris Arts and Crafts textile patterns and knew this would be our design inspiration. We presented C&L with three options and they quickly selected the Pimpernel Design Concept. We had originally selected the Black and Olive colors with a black vanity, mirror, and black and white floor tile. C&L liked it but weren’t quite sure about the black, We went back to the drawing board and decided the William & Co Pimpernel Wallpaper in Bayleaf and Manilla color with a softer gray painted vanity and mirror and white floor tile was more to their liking. After the Design Concept was approved, we went to work securing the building permit, procuring all the elements, and scheduling our trusted tradesmen to perform the work. We did uncover some shoddy work by the flippers such as live electrical wires hidden behind the wall, plumbing venting cut-off and buried in the walls (hence the constant dampness), the tub barely balancing on two fence boards across the floor joist, and no insulation on the exterior wall. All of the previous blunders were fixed and the bathroom put back to its previous glory. We could feel the house thanking us for making it pretty again. The After Reveal: Cohesive Design Decisions We selected a simple white subway tile for the tub/shower. This is always classic and in keeping with the style of the house. We selected a pre-fab vanity and mirror, but they look rich with the quartz countertop. There is much more storage in this small vanity than you would think. The Transformation: A Period Perfect Refresh We began the remodel just as the pandemic reared and stay-in-place orders went into effect. As C&L were already moved out and living with relatives, we got the go-ahead from city officials to get the work done (after all, how can you shelter in place without a bathroom?). All our tradesmen were scheduled to work so that only one crew was on the job site at a time. We stayed on the original schedule with only a one week delay. The end result is the sweetest little bathroom I've ever seen (and I can't wait to start work on C&L's kitchen next). Thank you for joining me in this project transformation. I hope this inspired you to think about being creative with your design projects, determining what works best in keeping with the architecture of your space, and carefully assessing how you can have the best life in your home.

Example of a trendy sunroom design in Ahmedabad

Inspiration for a rustic brown one-story wood gable roof remodel in Seattle

This beautiful North Vancouver home belongs to a nature-loving and health-conscious couple, Emma and Vince (names changed), their two young children, and their dog, Jasper. When they contacted us about renovating and furnishing their kitchen and family room, we walked in and saw a world of potential waiting to be uncovered. Before: Larkhall Crescent Home: Like many original North Vancouver homes, the interior was definitely dated. We encountered late ‘80s finishes in powder pink and teal green, old carpet, and a kitchen that wasn’t maximized to suit this family’s modern-day lifestyle. However, the size of the rooms offered us a ton of space with which to get creative. Knowing our clients’ love of cooking, need for work spaces (Emma and Vince both work remotely), and growing family, we developed a design concept that would increase usable space, optimize storage, and create intimacy in this large area. As for the style, we were inspired by their European roots, inventing a new and modern take on “Belgian Farmhouse” style. Now, the home is truly one-of-a-kind. After: Warm & Cozy Family Room: Fresh, bright, and comfortable, this living area has been transformed! We started with the fireplace as a focal point, selecting aged brick tiles for added texture and a crisp wood mantle. The taupe-coloured sectional infuses the room with visual warmth and serves the added purpose of separating the family room from the kitchen. Emma and Vince were also keen on using non-toxic materials in their home, and we were happy to oblige. To meet their needs, we sourced natural wood elements and sought out Canadian-made products - that adhere to high health standards - whenever possible. Look closer at the elements of this space, and you will find this stunning, honeycomb-patterned rug in earthy gold, beige, and charcoal tones. It’s plush to the touch and full of visual texture that brings this room’s colour palette together. We sourced these two-tone chairs with caning, petrified wood side table, black sconces, and botanical prints in greyscale from local artist, Heather Johnston. We topped off the space with this dark wood and rattan console that offers storage facing the kitchen and presents an opportunity to display cherished items. The result is a cozy lounging space brimming with comfort and functionality. It’s perfect for enjoying quality family time, or Emma can simply slide the coffee table away to make room for her morning yoga practice. Now, let’s turn around and give some attention to the kitchen. Do you remember what the original kitchen looked like? If not, scroll back up, because the transformation is shocking… Moody & Welcoming Kitchen for Healthy Living: This kitchen looks very different from how it started, right? Though we didn’t touch any walls, the kitchen has almost doubled in usable space! We created a long, extended island with storage, an outlet for small appliances, and seating for comfortable prep, after-school snacking, or mingling among friends. On the other side of the island, the family has even more storage and an integrated dishwasher within easy reach of the sink, perfect for quick clean-up. From this angle, you can also see the expansive custom Shaker cabinetry in white and the integrated double ovens. These facilitate their cooking experience and gave us the opportunity to add an additional surprise… A coffee garage station and more hidden storage! Keeping these items located along the perimeter allows them to be accessed by the family or their guests without someone getting under the cook’s feet. These are the little details that make everyday life easier and more enjoyable. Moving deeper into the kitchen, the seamless induction cooktop topped with a freestanding concealed hood fan commands attention in a soft yet prominent way. The natural wood accent mirrors the fireplace mantle, and the choice of off-black wood-grain cabinets not only continues our black-and-white colour palette but adds a sense of depth and contrast. The corner sink is located to the right and perfectly positioned with a view of their thriving backyard. To invite more of this family’s character into the space, we mixed metals for interest — matte black, dark pewter, and warm brass — and created open shelves in white oak for their plants and decor. You can also glimpse the tumbled edge of the backsplash tile, which echoes the rustic brick of the fireplace. It adds that farmhouse charm while still feeling timeless and sophisticated. Last but not least, we designed this dining banquette in the bay window (with integrated bench storage, of course), where the family can share a meal together, the kids can do homework, or Emma and Vince can work and enjoy a change of scenery from their offices. Like the other spaces in the home, it was designed to be beautiful, multi-functional, and long-lasting. Praise from Our Clients: It is clear that we love this home, but what did our clients have to say? “Lori is a visionary and masters execution to the finest detail all at the same time. When she first met us to know more about who we are and how we live, she could right away envision how we could use the space in our kitchen and living room…The results exceeded our expectations. Lori and her team were also a delight to work with — coordination with all the trades, fast problem-solving, regular updates, professional and friendly attitude of her entire team — made it the dream team. Thank you SHD for making our space so beautiful!” In turn, we are so grateful for this family’s trust, their open communication, and for being wonderful people with whom to work. (So, thank you!)

“Imprints in Lavender” - 2022 Design + Build - Upon demo we “180’d” this layout & design of this historic house. With a deep family history, we uncovered the soul of the house. My goal was to embrace the imprints left by the family, to include the lavender painted shiplap and Layers of generational change. An original exterior door reveals the old porch, now family space, that opens on to an expansive deck through a multi-sliding door. Embracing the old with our new twist of design. Thank You to the clients for trusting the vision and seeing it through. Much Love! Texas Proud! #constructionart #texasdesign #texasremodel #roundtop

“Imprints in Lavender” - 2022 Design + Build - Upon demo we “180’d” this layout & design of this historic house. With a deep family history, we uncovered the soul of the house. My goal was to embrace the imprints left by the family, to include the lavender painted shiplap and Layers of generational change. An original exterior door reveals the old porch, now family space, that opens on to an expansive deck through a multi-sliding door. Embracing the old with our new twist of design. Thank You to the clients for trusting the vision and seeing it through. Much Love! Texas Proud! #constructionart #texasdesign #texasremodel #roundtop

“Imprints in Lavender” - 2022 Design + Build - Upon demo we “180’d” this layout & design of this historic house. With a deep family history, we uncovered the soul of the house. My goal was to embrace the imprints left by the family, to include the lavender painted shiplap and Layers of generational change. An original exterior door reveals the old porch, now family space, that opens on to an expansive deck through a multi-sliding door. Embracing the old with our new twist of design. Thank You to the clients for trusting the vision and seeing it through. Much Love! Texas Proud! #constructionart #texasdesign #texasremodel #roundtop

“Imprints in Lavender” - 2022 Design + Build - Upon demo we “180’d” this layout & design of this historic house. With a deep family history, we uncovered the soul of the house. My goal was to embrace the imprints left by the family, to include the lavender painted shiplap and Layers of generational change. An original exterior door reveals the old porch, now family space, that opens on to an expansive deck through a multi-sliding door. Embracing the old with our new twist of design. Thank You to the clients for trusting the vision and seeing it through. Much Love! Texas Proud! #constructionart #texasdesign #texasremodel #roundtop

“Imprints in Lavender” - 2022 Design + Build - Upon demo we “180’d” this layout & design of this historic house. With a deep family history, we uncovered the soul of the house. My goal was to embrace the imprints left by the family, to include the lavender painted shiplap and Layers of generational change. An original exterior door reveals the old porch, now family space, that opens on to an expansive deck through a multi-sliding door. Embracing the old with our new twist of design. Thank You to the clients for trusting the vision and seeing it through. Much Love! Texas Proud! #constructionart #texasdesign #texasremodel #roundtop

“Imprints in Lavender” - 2022 Design + Build - Upon demo we “180’d” this layout & design of this historic house. With a deep family history, we uncovered the soul of the house. My goal was to embrace the imprints left by the family, to include the lavender painted shiplap and Layers of generational change. An original exterior door reveals the old porch, now family space, that opens on to an expansive deck through a multi-sliding door. Embracing the old with our new twist of design. Thank You to the clients for trusting the vision and seeing it through. Much Love! Texas Proud! #constructionart #texasdesign #texasremodel #roundtop

“Imprints in Lavender” - 2022 Design + Build - Upon demo we “180’d” this layout & design of this historic house. With a deep family history, we uncovered the soul of the house. My goal was to embrace the imprints left by the family, to include the lavender painted shiplap and Layers of generational change. An original exterior door reveals the old porch, now family space, that opens on to an expansive deck through a multi-sliding door. Embracing the old with our new twist of design. Thank You to the clients for trusting the vision and seeing it through. Much Love! Texas Proud! #constructionart #texasdesign #texasremodel #roundtop

“Imprints in Lavender” - 2022 Design + Build - Upon demo we “180’d” this layout & design of this historic house. With a deep family history, we uncovered the soul of the house. My goal was to embrace the imprints left by the family, to include the lavender painted shiplap and Layers of generational change. An original exterior door reveals the old porch, now family space, that opens on to an expansive deck through a multi-sliding door. Embracing the old with our new twist of design. Thank You to the clients for trusting the vision and seeing it through. Much Love! Texas Proud! #constructionart #texasdesign #texasremodel #roundtop

“Imprints in Lavender” - 2022 Design + Build - Upon demo we “180’d” this layout & design of this historic house. With a deep family history, we uncovered the soul of the house. My goal was to embrace the imprints left by the family, to include the lavender painted shiplap and Layers of generational change. An original exterior door reveals the old porch, now family space, that opens on to an expansive deck through a multi-sliding door. Embracing the old with our new twist of design. Thank You to the clients for trusting the vision and seeing it through. Much Love! Texas Proud! #constructionart #texasdesign #texasremodel #roundtop

“Imprints in Lavender” - 2022 Design + Build - Upon demo we “180’d” this layout & design of this historic house. With a deep family history, we uncovered the soul of the house. My goal was to embrace the imprints left by the family, to include the lavender painted shiplap and Layers of generational change. An original exterior door reveals the old porch, now family space, that opens on to an expansive deck through a multi-sliding door. Embracing the old with our new twist of design. Thank You to the clients for trusting the vision and seeing it through. Much Love! Texas Proud! #constructionart #texasdesign #texasremodel #roundtop