Dale Hall Photography, LLC
Mountain style l-shaped light wood floor open concept kitchen photo in Milwaukee with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, black appliances and an island

The kitchen may be the heart of a home, but the dining room is where the family gathers to enjoy special occasions, create and pass on traditions, and savour each other’s company free from distractions. The family behind this particular dining room enjoys doing just that. When they are not traveling the world, Matthew and Anna (names changed) love to cook meals at home with their teenage daughter, entertain family and friends, and live amongst their cherished travel souvenirs and heirlooms. Their dining room, however, was far from the perfect backdrop for these experiences. Before: Dining Room: When Matthew and Anna contacted us, they imagined a space that would comfortably seat 8 to 10 people and incorporate their beautiful inherited dining table and sideboard in a fresh, modern way. Above all, they wanted a dining room that they would feel proud to share. They worked with us to design, lightly renovate, and furnish their dining room and adjacent living space. Now, the room is nothing short of inviting and elevated. Classic Yet Contemporary Dining Room: Viewed from the living area, the dining room is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Matthew and Anna wanted dark blue for the walls, and we couldn’t have been happier to find the perfect shade for them. By leaning darker, this rich blue creates the perception of depth, making the room feel enticing, comfortable and secluded. The previous built-ins were underwhelming and lacked function, so we designed wider, taller, double sided cabinets that integrated the existing bulk-head, and then accessorized the shelves with the family’s travel finds, books, and decor. Topping these units with brass art lights not only blends contemporary and traditional styles, it also draws attention to the dining table’s modern show-stopping chandelier. You can’t miss it. Inside the dining room, the effect is equally impressive: enveloping yet spacious, warm yet cool, classic yet contemporary. We incorporated their heirloom pieces seamlessly into the design thanks to the 1:2 ratio. For every traditional piece, we introduced two more modern or contemporary pieces — clean lines, subtle curves, and lustrous brass hardware. The result is a collected yet updated look. In any room with dark walls, lighting is of the utmost importance. We placed a mirror adjacent to the window to reflect natural light throughout the room, and we kept the trim and ceiling white for brightness. To provide maximum versatility, we provided multiple light sources that can be adjusted to create different levels of light to suit any mood or occasion. These include: pot lights and a chandelier on dimmers, a sculptural trilight lamp on the sideboard, and art lights on the bookcases and above important art pieces. The built-ins have another surprise waiting inside this special dining room: Double-sided built-ins: dining room shelving and living room shelving. Rather than keep them white like we did in the living room, we painted the back wall of the book cases the same dark blue as the walls in the rest of the room. This reduces the contrast with the surrounding walls and emphasizes the white outline of the cabinets. We also love the dark blue walls’ role as a beautiful backdrop for this family’s treasures. The brass accessories and hand-painted vases and bowls feel like part of the experience. Of course, what is beauty without function? It may not look like it, but the base storage is only accessible from the dining room side. The units include deep cabinets for storing serving ware, as well as another delightful surprise: silverware drawers lined in luxurious navy velvet! Lastly, we designed this beautiful nook for their heirloom sideboard. From afar, the wall looks as if it has texture and perhaps a touch of shine. Up close, you will notice that it is actually navy blue wallpaper with tiny golden dots. This unique touch accentuates the brass in the room touches throughout the space.. The room feels curated, contemporary, and full of character. Words of Praise: Anna and Matthew were thrilled with their new dining room and with the design process itself, which is always the highest compliment. They said: “Working with Lori and her team at Simply Home Decorating was a great experience. The design they came up with was both beautiful and practical for our family. Renovations can be stressful but working with Simply Home made the process much more pleasant. “Simply Home's project management and their longstanding relationships with reliable trades meant we could relax, knowing that everything was taken care of. If an issue arose, the entire Simply Home team was quick to address it. They were excellent at communicating with us—we never felt like we didn't know what was going on. We would highly recommend working with Simply Home Decorating.” Thank you, Matthew and Anna! We are honoured to have been part of your journey and wish your family many happy memories in these new spaces. Now, is it your turn? Are you ready to uncover the hidden potential in your home? If so, contact us here to start the conversation or download my guide Uncovering the Hidden Potential in Your Home below to learn more about what we can do for you.

Starting its life as a dark, walled in space with inadequate cabinetry and multiple awkward components, I knew the only way forward with this penthouse kitchen, was for it to undergo a complete rebuild. The clients were hoping to welcome a child in the years following this renovation, however they love to entertain so also wanted a modern and sophisticated kitchen. Therefore, the task became marrying functional indestructibility with clean, elevated design, resulting in a timeless, architecturally forward kitchen with sensible storage and innovated finishes. The first and most important task when addressing the modernization of this kitchen, was to remove the existing walls that closed off the space. Accomplishing this allowed for a more free-flowing feel and opened the sightline to the rest of the unit. This also invited the opportunity for a new, more welcoming floor plan including the addition of a large island with ample counter space and optional eat-in functionality. In order to maximize functional efficiency and overall aesthetic value, I knew the plumbing required substantial relocation. However, with concrete ceilings and floors, combined with a strata unwilling to allow trenching of the slab, moving the plumbing to the most effective location was no easy feat. Ultimately, I was able to accomplish this by creating a hidden channel inside the cabinetry that allowed the plumbing to be redirected to the ideal location without visible detection. Creatively, I was inspired by the idea of injecting dimension, by way of juxtaposing materials that wouldn’t necessarily be found together in nature, yet worked harmonious when combined. You’ll notice the cabinet fronts are all made of solid Dekton – a manmade stone that while costly, is nearly indestructible. This created the base in which we inset the countertop, backsplash and surround, all made in a wood-like material. As if a huge ice-cream scoop glided into a slab of solid stone, uncovering beautiful layered depths of wood. I worked with a local company to custom manufacture this is a high impact, one-of-a-kind laminate specifically for this project. It’s nonporous, fingerprint resistant and antimicrobial. It offers a matte finish which has a beautiful hand-feel resembling real wood but because it’s manmade, it’s not subjected to the same expansion and contraction of natural wood, making it an exceptional choice for this application. Final details also include a touchless kitchen faucet, integrated appliances, hidden storage, Italian lighting, delicate Australian hardware and smart switches and plugs.

The kitchen may be the heart of a home, but the dining room is where the family gathers to enjoy special occasions, create and pass on traditions, and savour each other’s company free from distractions. The family behind this particular dining room enjoys doing just that. When they are not traveling the world, Matthew and Anna (names changed) love to cook meals at home with their teenage daughter, entertain family and friends, and live amongst their cherished travel souvenirs and heirlooms. Their dining room, however, was far from the perfect backdrop for these experiences. Before: Dining Room: When Matthew and Anna contacted us, they imagined a space that would comfortably seat 8 to 10 people and incorporate their beautiful inherited dining table and sideboard in a fresh, modern way. Above all, they wanted a dining room that they would feel proud to share. They worked with us to design, lightly renovate, and furnish their dining room and adjacent living space. Now, the room is nothing short of inviting and elevated. Classic Yet Contemporary Dining Room: Viewed from the living area, the dining room is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Matthew and Anna wanted dark blue for the walls, and we couldn’t have been happier to find the perfect shade for them. By leaning darker, this rich blue creates the perception of depth, making the room feel enticing, comfortable and secluded. The previous built-ins were underwhelming and lacked function, so we designed wider, taller, double sided cabinets that integrated the existing bulk-head, and then accessorized the shelves with the family’s travel finds, books, and decor. Topping these units with brass art lights not only blends contemporary and traditional styles, it also draws attention to the dining table’s modern show-stopping chandelier. You can’t miss it. Inside the dining room, the effect is equally impressive: enveloping yet spacious, warm yet cool, classic yet contemporary. We incorporated their heirloom pieces seamlessly into the design thanks to the 1:2 ratio. For every traditional piece, we introduced two more modern or contemporary pieces — clean lines, subtle curves, and lustrous brass hardware. The result is a collected yet updated look. In any room with dark walls, lighting is of the utmost importance. We placed a mirror adjacent to the window to reflect natural light throughout the room, and we kept the trim and ceiling white for brightness. To provide maximum versatility, we provided multiple light sources that can be adjusted to create different levels of light to suit any mood or occasion. These include: pot lights and a chandelier on dimmers, a sculptural trilight lamp on the sideboard, and art lights on the bookcases and above important art pieces. The built-ins have another surprise waiting inside this special dining room: Double-sided built-ins: dining room shelving and living room shelving. Rather than keep them white like we did in the living room, we painted the back wall of the book cases the same dark blue as the walls in the rest of the room. This reduces the contrast with the surrounding walls and emphasizes the white outline of the cabinets. We also love the dark blue walls’ role as a beautiful backdrop for this family’s treasures. The brass accessories and hand-painted vases and bowls feel like part of the experience. Of course, what is beauty without function? It may not look like it, but the base storage is only accessible from the dining room side. The units include deep cabinets for storing serving ware, as well as another delightful surprise: silverware drawers lined in luxurious navy velvet! Lastly, we designed this beautiful nook for their heirloom sideboard. From afar, the wall looks as if it has texture and perhaps a touch of shine. Up close, you will notice that it is actually navy blue wallpaper with tiny golden dots. This unique touch accentuates the brass in the room touches throughout the space.. The room feels curated, contemporary, and full of character. Words of Praise: Anna and Matthew were thrilled with their new dining room and with the design process itself, which is always the highest compliment. They said: “Working with Lori and her team at Simply Home Decorating was a great experience. The design they came up with was both beautiful and practical for our family. Renovations can be stressful but working with Simply Home made the process much more pleasant. “Simply Home's project management and their longstanding relationships with reliable trades meant we could relax, knowing that everything was taken care of. If an issue arose, the entire Simply Home team was quick to address it. They were excellent at communicating with us—we never felt like we didn't know what was going on. We would highly recommend working with Simply Home Decorating.” Thank you, Matthew and Anna! We are honoured to have been part of your journey and wish your family many happy memories in these new spaces. Now, is it your turn? Are you ready to uncover the hidden potential in your home? If so, contact us here to start the conversation or download my guide Uncovering the Hidden Potential in Your Home below to learn more about what we can do for you.

The kitchen may be the heart of a home, but the dining room is where the family gathers to enjoy special occasions, create and pass on traditions, and savour each other’s company free from distractions. The family behind this particular dining room enjoys doing just that. When they are not traveling the world, Matthew and Anna (names changed) love to cook meals at home with their teenage daughter, entertain family and friends, and live amongst their cherished travel souvenirs and heirlooms. Their dining room, however, was far from the perfect backdrop for these experiences. Before: Dining Room: When Matthew and Anna contacted us, they imagined a space that would comfortably seat 8 to 10 people and incorporate their beautiful inherited dining table and sideboard in a fresh, modern way. Above all, they wanted a dining room that they would feel proud to share. They worked with us to design, lightly renovate, and furnish their dining room and adjacent living space. Now, the room is nothing short of inviting and elevated. Classic Yet Contemporary Dining Room: Viewed from the living area, the dining room is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Matthew and Anna wanted dark blue for the walls, and we couldn’t have been happier to find the perfect shade for them. By leaning darker, this rich blue creates the perception of depth, making the room feel enticing, comfortable and secluded. The previous built-ins were underwhelming and lacked function, so we designed wider, taller, double sided cabinets that integrated the existing bulk-head, and then accessorized the shelves with the family’s travel finds, books, and decor. Topping these units with brass art lights not only blends contemporary and traditional styles, it also draws attention to the dining table’s modern show-stopping chandelier. You can’t miss it. Inside the dining room, the effect is equally impressive: enveloping yet spacious, warm yet cool, classic yet contemporary. We incorporated their heirloom pieces seamlessly into the design thanks to the 1:2 ratio. For every traditional piece, we introduced two more modern or contemporary pieces — clean lines, subtle curves, and lustrous brass hardware. The result is a collected yet updated look. In any room with dark walls, lighting is of the utmost importance. We placed a mirror adjacent to the window to reflect natural light throughout the room, and we kept the trim and ceiling white for brightness. To provide maximum versatility, we provided multiple light sources that can be adjusted to create different levels of light to suit any mood or occasion. These include: pot lights and a chandelier on dimmers, a sculptural trilight lamp on the sideboard, and art lights on the bookcases and above important art pieces. The built-ins have another surprise waiting inside this special dining room: Double-sided built-ins: dining room shelving and living room shelving. Rather than keep them white like we did in the living room, we painted the back wall of the book cases the same dark blue as the walls in the rest of the room. This reduces the contrast with the surrounding walls and emphasizes the white outline of the cabinets. We also love the dark blue walls’ role as a beautiful backdrop for this family’s treasures. The brass accessories and hand-painted vases and bowls feel like part of the experience. Of course, what is beauty without function? It may not look like it, but the base storage is only accessible from the dining room side. The units include deep cabinets for storing serving ware, as well as another delightful surprise: silverware drawers lined in luxurious navy velvet! Lastly, we designed this beautiful nook for their heirloom sideboard. From afar, the wall looks as if it has texture and perhaps a touch of shine. Up close, you will notice that it is actually navy blue wallpaper with tiny golden dots. This unique touch accentuates the brass in the room touches throughout the space.. The room feels curated, contemporary, and full of character. Words of Praise: Anna and Matthew were thrilled with their new dining room and with the design process itself, which is always the highest compliment. They said: “Working with Lori and her team at Simply Home Decorating was a great experience. The design they came up with was both beautiful and practical for our family. Renovations can be stressful but working with Simply Home made the process much more pleasant. “Simply Home's project management and their longstanding relationships with reliable trades meant we could relax, knowing that everything was taken care of. If an issue arose, the entire Simply Home team was quick to address it. They were excellent at communicating with us—we never felt like we didn't know what was going on. We would highly recommend working with Simply Home Decorating.” Thank you, Matthew and Anna! We are honoured to have been part of your journey and wish your family many happy memories in these new spaces. Now, is it your turn? Are you ready to uncover the hidden potential in your home? If so, contact us here to start the conversation or download my guide Uncovering the Hidden Potential in Your Home below to learn more about what we can do for you.

We remodeled this unassuming mid-century home from top to bottom. An entire third floor and two outdoor decks were added. As a bonus, we made the whole thing accessible with an elevator linking all three floors. The 3rd floor was designed to be built entirely above the existing roof level to preserve the vaulted ceilings in the main level living areas. Floor joists spanned the full width of the house to transfer new loads onto the existing foundation as much as possible. This minimized structural work required inside the existing footprint of the home. A portion of the new roof extends over the custom outdoor kitchen and deck on the north end, allowing year-round use of this space. Exterior finishes feature a combination of smooth painted horizontal panels, and pre-finished fiber-cement siding, that replicate a natural stained wood. Exposed beams and cedar soffits provide wooden accents around the exterior. Horizontal cable railings were used around the rooftop decks. Natural stone installed around the front entry enhances the porch. Metal roofing in natural forest green, tie the whole project together. On the main floor, the kitchen remodel included minimal footprint changes, but overhauling of the cabinets and function. A larger window brings in natural light, capturing views of the garden and new porch. The sleek kitchen now shines with two-toned cabinetry in stained maple and high-gloss white, white quartz countertops with hints of gold and purple, and a raised bubble-glass chiseled edge cocktail bar. The kitchen’s eye-catching mixed-metal backsplash is a fun update on a traditional penny tile. The dining room was revamped with new built-in lighted cabinetry, luxury vinyl flooring, and a contemporary-style chandelier. Throughout the main floor, the original hardwood flooring was refinished with dark stain, and the fireplace revamped in gray and with a copper-tile hearth and new insert. During demolition our team uncovered a hidden ceiling beam. The clients loved the look, so to meet the planned budget, the beam was turned into an architectural feature, wrapping it in wood paneling matching the entry hall. The entire day-light basement was also remodeled, and now includes a bright & colorful exercise studio and a larger laundry room. The redesign of the washroom includes a larger showering area built specifically for washing their large dog, as well as added storage and countertop space. This is a project our team is very honored to have been involved with, build our client’s dream home.

A vacant, worn office space should be transformed into a show apartment / showroom. The existing space had been used as an office structure since the 1960s. Located on the 4th floor of a ten-floor reinforced concrete skeleton, the area is already high enough to receive a great amount of light, which is particularly noticeable at dawn and dusk: sunrises and sunsets conjure up the most spellbinding blends of light. The existing structure and also the technical equipment were completely outdated and needed to be completely rebuilt: suspended ceilings were removed and walls changed. The result is a modern city apartment of almost 100 m2 (about 1,070 sqft) – divided into a large living space, 2 rooms, 1 bathroom, 1 powder room and 1 utility room. The existing window facades could not be changed, but they are part of the concept anyway, namely to bring as much light as possible into the room. A controlled ventilation system ensures optimal air quality even with closed windows. The central kitchen element serves as a kind of separation of the living area and the dining area. Here customers and guests are served, people communicate, cook together, drink a glass of wine. Clients experience living. The rough reinforced concrete ribbed slaps were uncovered and painted white to give the room more height, which is accentuated by the lighting concept with ceiling-mounted spotlights. The dark oak floor creates a successful contrast to the brightly designed rooms. The wittily positioned pedestal areas hide all technical elements, such as the supply air openings of the living room ventilation. Flush-fitting door elements in the walls with a chalked brick look show in detail the special feature of the room. The central wall elements were deliberately not pulled up to the ceiling, but are separated by a glass element to show the continuity of the construction. Most of the furniture was designed by Wolfgang Pichler. Within the course of this project he was able to implement his holistic approach in the field of construction technology, architecture and furniture design and skillfully combine it with design classics. Scandinavian classics can be found in the concept just as much as pieces he collected during his career and furniture he developed for the company VITEO, which he founded in 2002. The project illustrates the added value of an architectural holistic approach.

Bundy Drive Brentwood, Los Angeles modern home covered poolside dining terrace. Photo by Simon Berlyn.
Inspiration for a huge modern backyard patio remodel in Los Angeles with a fire pit and a roof extension

The kitchen may be the heart of a home, but the dining room is where the family gathers to enjoy special occasions, create and pass on traditions, and savour each other’s company free from distractions. The family behind this particular dining room enjoys doing just that. When they are not traveling the world, Matthew and Anna (names changed) love to cook meals at home with their teenage daughter, entertain family and friends, and live amongst their cherished travel souvenirs and heirlooms. Their dining room, however, was far from the perfect backdrop for these experiences. Before: Dining Room: When Matthew and Anna contacted us, they imagined a space that would comfortably seat 8 to 10 people and incorporate their beautiful inherited dining table and sideboard in a fresh, modern way. Above all, they wanted a dining room that they would feel proud to share. They worked with us to design, lightly renovate, and furnish their dining room and adjacent living space. Now, the room is nothing short of inviting and elevated. Classic Yet Contemporary Dining Room: Viewed from the living area, the dining room is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Matthew and Anna wanted dark blue for the walls, and we couldn’t have been happier to find the perfect shade for them. By leaning darker, this rich blue creates the perception of depth, making the room feel enticing, comfortable and secluded. The previous built-ins were underwhelming and lacked function, so we designed wider, taller, double sided cabinets that integrated the existing bulk-head, and then accessorized the shelves with the family’s travel finds, books, and decor. Topping these units with brass art lights not only blends contemporary and traditional styles, it also draws attention to the dining table’s modern show-stopping chandelier. You can’t miss it. Inside the dining room, the effect is equally impressive: enveloping yet spacious, warm yet cool, classic yet contemporary. We incorporated their heirloom pieces seamlessly into the design thanks to the 1:2 ratio. For every traditional piece, we introduced two more modern or contemporary pieces — clean lines, subtle curves, and lustrous brass hardware. The result is a collected yet updated look. In any room with dark walls, lighting is of the utmost importance. We placed a mirror adjacent to the window to reflect natural light throughout the room, and we kept the trim and ceiling white for brightness. To provide maximum versatility, we provided multiple light sources that can be adjusted to create different levels of light to suit any mood or occasion. These include: pot lights and a chandelier on dimmers, a sculptural trilight lamp on the sideboard, and art lights on the bookcases and above important art pieces. The built-ins have another surprise waiting inside this special dining room: Double-sided built-ins: dining room shelving and living room shelving. Rather than keep them white like we did in the living room, we painted the back wall of the book cases the same dark blue as the walls in the rest of the room. This reduces the contrast with the surrounding walls and emphasizes the white outline of the cabinets. We also love the dark blue walls’ role as a beautiful backdrop for this family’s treasures. The brass accessories and hand-painted vases and bowls feel like part of the experience. Of course, what is beauty without function? It may not look like it, but the base storage is only accessible from the dining room side. The units include deep cabinets for storing serving ware, as well as another delightful surprise: silverware drawers lined in luxurious navy velvet! Lastly, we designed this beautiful nook for their heirloom sideboard. From afar, the wall looks as if it has texture and perhaps a touch of shine. Up close, you will notice that it is actually navy blue wallpaper with tiny golden dots. This unique touch accentuates the brass in the room touches throughout the space.. The room feels curated, contemporary, and full of character. Words of Praise: Anna and Matthew were thrilled with their new dining room and with the design process itself, which is always the highest compliment. They said: “Working with Lori and her team at Simply Home Decorating was a great experience. The design they came up with was both beautiful and practical for our family. Renovations can be stressful but working with Simply Home made the process much more pleasant. “Simply Home's project management and their longstanding relationships with reliable trades meant we could relax, knowing that everything was taken care of. If an issue arose, the entire Simply Home team was quick to address it. They were excellent at communicating with us—we never felt like we didn't know what was going on. We would highly recommend working with Simply Home Decorating.” Thank you, Matthew and Anna! We are honoured to have been part of your journey and wish your family many happy memories in these new spaces. Now, is it your turn? Are you ready to uncover the hidden potential in your home? If so, contact us here to start the conversation or download my guide Uncovering the Hidden Potential in Your Home below to learn more about what we can do for you.

OpenFit continues the Shokz open-ear concept to let users enjoy all-day comfort and hear their own soundtrack while staying open to the world around them. OpenFit offers an ultra-lightweight, open-ear construction to hear both your own audio and every sound around you with crystal clarity. DirectPitch™ technology produces a full audio experience to immerse yourself in your favorite songs, podcasts, and audiobooks. A flexible ear hook design combines stability and comfort. Moments are precious, and OpenFit gives you the freedom to hear every one of them. Open-Ear Design for Ultimate Comfort Incredible Audio Experience with Powerful Bass Maintain Situational AwarenessMaintain Situational Awareness Up to 28 Hours of Listening Open-Ear Listening Buds Every Sound, Uncovered OpenFit continues the Shokz open-ear concept with a compact earbud design. OpenFit is built around the ear, leaving the inner ear open to keep you engaged with the world. Ultra-Soft Silicone Feel Nothing but Comfort The ear cushion core is engineered with a dual-layered liquid silicone that gives a pliable fit for every ear shape while avoiding discomfort from even extended wear.Spend a whole day of engaged conversation and musical feasts in total contoured comfort. Dolphin Arc Ear Hook Made for Every Ear A dolphin arc ear hook design with a built-in 0.7mm ultra-fine flexible memory wire provides an ergonomic fit that can gently adapt to your natural ear shape. Light and Balanced Design Go Unnoticed Optimizing the design and material of open-ear earbuds, OpenFit is compact and light, weighing just 8.3 grams. The earbuds and battery compartment provide a perfect balance that makes you forget you’re even wearing them. Bright Highs and Deep Lows DirectPitch™ Technology Shokz introduces DirectPitch™, a brand-new audio experience made for OpenFit. It allows for premium audio quality that perfectly balances bold highs, clear mids, and surging bass.

Starting its life as a dark, walled in space with inadequate cabinetry and multiple awkward components, I knew the only way forward with this penthouse kitchen, was for it to undergo a complete rebuild. The clients were hoping to welcome a child in the years following this renovation, however they love to entertain so also wanted a modern and sophisticated kitchen. Therefore, the task became marrying functional indestructibility with clean, elevated design, resulting in a timeless, architecturally forward kitchen with sensible storage and innovated finishes. The first and most important task when addressing the modernization of this kitchen, was to remove the existing walls that closed off the space. Accomplishing this allowed for a more free-flowing feel and opened the sightline to the rest of the unit. This also invited the opportunity for a new, more welcoming floor plan including the addition of a large island with ample counter space and optional eat-in functionality. In order to maximize functional efficiency and overall aesthetic value, I knew the plumbing required substantial relocation. However, with concrete ceilings and floors, combined with a strata unwilling to allow trenching of the slab, moving the plumbing to the most effective location was no easy feat. Ultimately, I was able to accomplish this by creating a hidden channel inside the cabinetry that allowed the plumbing to be redirected to the ideal location without visible detection. Creatively, I was inspired by the idea of injecting dimension, by way of juxtaposing materials that wouldn’t necessarily be found together in nature, yet worked harmonious when combined. You’ll notice the cabinet fronts are all made of solid Dekton – a manmade stone that while costly, is nearly indestructible. This created the base in which we inset the countertop, backsplash and surround, all made in a wood-like material. As if a huge ice-cream scoop glided into a slab of solid stone, uncovering beautiful layered depths of wood. I worked with a local company to custom manufacture this is a high impact, one-of-a-kind laminate specifically for this project. It’s nonporous, fingerprint resistant and antimicrobial. It offers a matte finish which has a beautiful hand-feel resembling real wood but because it’s manmade, it’s not subjected to the same expansion and contraction of natural wood, making it an exceptional choice for this application. Final details also include a touchless kitchen faucet, integrated appliances, hidden storage, Italian lighting, delicate Australian hardware and smart switches and plugs.

Archadeck of Austin designed a large, new deck that is partially covered with a porch cover for shade and partially open to the big Texas sky. Building it required complete removal of the home’s existing multi-level deck. For the decking boards, the clients chose AZEK low-maintenance decking in the mahogany color. We designed the deck in a picture frame pattern with a ribbon board. The beautiful deck railing system features hammered bronze balusters by Fortress and the rail cap is by AZEK. The AZEK rail cap is actually installed over a steel railing.

Starting its life as a dark, walled in space with inadequate cabinetry and multiple awkward components, I knew the only way forward with this penthouse kitchen, was for it to undergo a complete rebuild. The clients were hoping to welcome a child in the years following this renovation, however they love to entertain so also wanted a modern and sophisticated kitchen. Therefore, the task became marrying functional indestructibility with clean, elevated design, resulting in a timeless, architecturally forward kitchen with sensible storage and innovated finishes. The first and most important task when addressing the modernization of this kitchen, was to remove the existing walls that closed off the space. Accomplishing this allowed for a more free-flowing feel and opened the sightline to the rest of the unit. This also invited the opportunity for a new, more welcoming floor plan including the addition of a large island with ample counter space and optional eat-in functionality. In order to maximize functional efficiency and overall aesthetic value, I knew the plumbing required substantial relocation. However, with concrete ceilings and floors, combined with a strata unwilling to allow trenching of the slab, moving the plumbing to the most effective location was no easy feat. Ultimately, I was able to accomplish this by creating a hidden channel inside the cabinetry that allowed the plumbing to be redirected to the ideal location without visible detection. Creatively, I was inspired by the idea of injecting dimension, by way of juxtaposing materials that wouldn’t necessarily be found together in nature, yet worked harmonious when combined. You’ll notice the cabinet fronts are all made of solid Dekton – a manmade stone that while costly, is nearly indestructible. This created the base in which we inset the countertop, backsplash and surround, all made in a wood-like material. As if a huge ice-cream scoop glided into a slab of solid stone, uncovering beautiful layered depths of wood. I worked with a local company to custom manufacture this is a high impact, one-of-a-kind laminate specifically for this project. It’s nonporous, fingerprint resistant and antimicrobial. It offers a matte finish which has a beautiful hand-feel resembling real wood but because it’s manmade, it’s not subjected to the same expansion and contraction of natural wood, making it an exceptional choice for this application. Final details also include a touchless kitchen faucet, integrated appliances, hidden storage, Italian lighting, delicate Australian hardware and smart switches and plugs.

Firm: Design Group Three Designer: Alan Freysinger Cabinetry: Greenfield Cabinetry Photography: Jim Tschetter IC360 Images Veteran kitchen designer Alan Freysinger worked closely with the Fox Point, WI homeowners on this kitchen. Admittedly, not afraid of color, the homeowner loved Alan's suggestion of adding the wood veneer to the mix of cabinetry, adding an additional layer of interest and the addition of texture. Design Group Three, together with custom Greenfield Cabinetry, stepped up the living pleasure of this Fox Point family's home. When this kitchen remodel was first underway, the homeowner envisioned a blue kitchen (orange was her 2nd choice!). She went to the paint store & found blues she liked, taped those color samples to the kitchen wall & one by one she and her husband whittled down their choices to the color blue you see now! From Milwaukee to Chicago, clean lines are much desired in today's kitchen designs. Design Group Three hears many requests for Transitionally styled kitchens such as this one. Want a pop of orange? blue? red? in your kitchen? Milwaukee's Design Group Three can custom match any color in paint (or stain!) for cabinetry in your home, as we did in for this blue kitchen in Fox Point, WI. Not sure if you are up for this much color in your kitchen? Begin with remodeling a bathroom vanity with a pop of color, live with it for a while & then, if you decide it's for you too, call in Design Group Three & we'll work with you to uncover your perfect color palette. Can you imagine this same kitchen in orange? This Fox Point, WI homeowners preliminary vision for her kitchen remodel walked the line between orange & blue! Blue kitchens are completely on trend in today's kitchens! According to the National Kitchen & Bath Association, Transitionally styled kitchens, such as this blue one, are the most commonly requested design genre. In fact, in 2012, for the first time ever since the NKBA started keeping track, Transitional beat out Traditional as the most requested style by homeowners. What exactly is affordably luxury? You are witnessing it in these photos. Discover it via Milwaukee's Design Group Three & Greenfield Cabinetry. Transitional Style (also known as "updated classic", "classic with a contemporary twist", "new takes on old classics") in interior design & furniture design refers to a blend of traditional and contemporary styles, midway between old world traditional & the world of chrome & glass contemporary; incorporating lines which are less ornate than traditional designs, but not as severely basic as contemporary lines. As a result transitional designs are classic, timeless, and clean. Lucky, lucky kitchen. Greenfield Cabinetry's interpretation of Midwestern Modern. Seasoned Design Group Three designer & owner, Alan Freysinger's design details take their cues from your lifestyle, as reflected in this transitionally styled kitchen. "The general color trend is a move toward bolder, crisper colors as a reflection of the 'anything goes' culture we live in now." - Jonathan Adler, Designer

The kitchen may be the heart of a home, but the dining room is where the family gathers to enjoy special occasions, create and pass on traditions, and savour each other’s company free from distractions. The family behind this particular dining room enjoys doing just that. When they are not traveling the world, Matthew and Anna (names changed) love to cook meals at home with their teenage daughter, entertain family and friends, and live amongst their cherished travel souvenirs and heirlooms. Their dining room, however, was far from the perfect backdrop for these experiences. Before: Dining Room: When Matthew and Anna contacted us, they imagined a space that would comfortably seat 8 to 10 people and incorporate their beautiful inherited dining table and sideboard in a fresh, modern way. Above all, they wanted a dining room that they would feel proud to share. They worked with us to design, lightly renovate, and furnish their dining room and adjacent living space. Now, the room is nothing short of inviting and elevated. Classic Yet Contemporary Dining Room: Viewed from the living area, the dining room is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Matthew and Anna wanted dark blue for the walls, and we couldn’t have been happier to find the perfect shade for them. By leaning darker, this rich blue creates the perception of depth, making the room feel enticing, comfortable and secluded. The previous built-ins were underwhelming and lacked function, so we designed wider, taller, double sided cabinets that integrated the existing bulk-head, and then accessorized the shelves with the family’s travel finds, books, and decor. Topping these units with brass art lights not only blends contemporary and traditional styles, it also draws attention to the dining table’s modern show-stopping chandelier. You can’t miss it. Inside the dining room, the effect is equally impressive: enveloping yet spacious, warm yet cool, classic yet contemporary. We incorporated their heirloom pieces seamlessly into the design thanks to the 1:2 ratio. For every traditional piece, we introduced two more modern or contemporary pieces — clean lines, subtle curves, and lustrous brass hardware. The result is a collected yet updated look. In any room with dark walls, lighting is of the utmost importance. We placed a mirror adjacent to the window to reflect natural light throughout the room, and we kept the trim and ceiling white for brightness. To provide maximum versatility, we provided multiple light sources that can be adjusted to create different levels of light to suit any mood or occasion. These include: pot lights and a chandelier on dimmers, a sculptural trilight lamp on the sideboard, and art lights on the bookcases and above important art pieces. The built-ins have another surprise waiting inside this special dining room: Double-sided built-ins: dining room shelving and living room shelving. Rather than keep them white like we did in the living room, we painted the back wall of the book cases the same dark blue as the walls in the rest of the room. This reduces the contrast with the surrounding walls and emphasizes the white outline of the cabinets. We also love the dark blue walls’ role as a beautiful backdrop for this family’s treasures. The brass accessories and hand-painted vases and bowls feel like part of the experience. Of course, what is beauty without function? It may not look like it, but the base storage is only accessible from the dining room side. The units include deep cabinets for storing serving ware, as well as another delightful surprise: silverware drawers lined in luxurious navy velvet! Lastly, we designed this beautiful nook for their heirloom sideboard. From afar, the wall looks as if it has texture and perhaps a touch of shine. Up close, you will notice that it is actually navy blue wallpaper with tiny golden dots. This unique touch accentuates the brass in the room touches throughout the space.. The room feels curated, contemporary, and full of character. Words of Praise: Anna and Matthew were thrilled with their new dining room and with the design process itself, which is always the highest compliment. They said: “Working with Lori and her team at Simply Home Decorating was a great experience. The design they came up with was both beautiful and practical for our family. Renovations can be stressful but working with Simply Home made the process much more pleasant. “Simply Home's project management and their longstanding relationships with reliable trades meant we could relax, knowing that everything was taken care of. If an issue arose, the entire Simply Home team was quick to address it. They were excellent at communicating with us—we never felt like we didn't know what was going on. We would highly recommend working with Simply Home Decorating.” Thank you, Matthew and Anna! We are honoured to have been part of your journey and wish your family many happy memories in these new spaces. Now, is it your turn? Are you ready to uncover the hidden potential in your home? If so, contact us here to start the conversation or download my guide Uncovering the Hidden Potential in Your Home below to learn more about what we can do for you.

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.

This California, Spanish-style bungalow gets a fresh new landscape and garden design that replaces the tired lawn with a creeping thyme ground cover and other low-water plantings. The new flagstone pathway, and a small patio echo the terra-cotta tones of the house and are softened by Elfin Thyme planted between the pavers. Colorful pottery and a Fermob Sixties Low Armchair complete the remodel. Design and Photos: © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Formal Dining in a relax setting by Tania Scardellato – TOC design Remodeling your home can be a lengthy and time consuming process, especially if you opt to renovate the entire house rather than just one room. However, even just by updating the decor in your home you can create a beautiful and fresh looking space. One space that is particularly easy to overhaul is the dining room. This is one of the smaller rooms in the home and contains a minimal amount of furniture, making the remodeling process quick and simple. An essential factor of dining room design is the color scheme of this space. When searching for the best paint colors for a dining room you should keep a few things in mind, including your design, the size of the room, and the décor of the rest of your house. Because it tends to be smaller than most rooms in the home you do not want to choose a really dark or overwhelming color like black or bright fuchsia. Rather save these hues as accents in dark wood furniture, curtains, pictures, and other wall art. In this dining room we kept the colors neutral and added more accents to hi-gloss moldings, highlighting the architecture of the space and creating space definition with a TOUCH OF CLASS - TOC When it comes to lighting for the dining room you have a lot of options such as chandeliers or wall sconces, however natural light is always best. If you already have windows in this space try to keep them uncovered or use sheer fabric curtains to allow optimum illumination in throughout the day. If your dining room does not have windows there are other options available that can help to brighten and open up this area Accessorizing your dining room with the right accents is very important to tie in all aspects of the design. For example, an elegant table centerpiece can make the dining space feel more homey and relaxed. You can accent a kitchen island or dining table with a stunning vase of festive flowers, ornamental fruits and vegetables, or a basket of decorative glass ornaments. However, try to keep the ornamentation to a minimum to prevent cluttering the countertops. Sometimes the table itself can be an accent piece. The dining room creates an elegant focal point that contains different colors, textures, and patterns. Similarly, leather chairs surrounding solid oak dining room furniture add the element of texture and color while creating a rustic, old world atmosphere. Regardless of the look you are trying to obtain, or the room in which you are redecorating, we can help create the style custom to suit your needs

A fun, inviting and low-maintenance outdoor living space for both adults and children to enjoy, in Watkinsville, GA. Patio with gas-fueled outdoor fireplace and deck, designed to work a variety of elements into a small parcel of backyard and to allow for access from the 2nd floor kitchen of this home in Watkinsville, GA. As the clients' wish list also included an outdoor kitchen, the necessary gas and drainage fittings were built into the destined spot, ready for the future addition of a grill and sink. The brick for the walls and fireplace was carefully selected to match the house, while completing the Oklahoma flagstone patio floor and stone cap. All stone and brick was hand-cut and laid by the City Garden Co install team. Plants and trees were added as a second phase to fit in with budget and optimal planting season. ZoomWorks