Rather than starting with an outcome in mind, this 1,400 square foot residence began from a polemic place - exploring shared conviction regarding the concentrated power of living with a smaller footprint. From the gabled silhouette to passive ventilation, the home captures the nostalgia for the past with the sustainable practices of the future. While the exterior materials contrast a calm, minimal palette with the sleek lines of the gabled silhouette, the interior spaces embody a playful, artistic spirit. From the hand painted De Gournay wallpaper in the master bath to the rugged texture of the over-grouted limestone and Portuguese cobblestones, the home is an experience that encapsulates the unexpected and the timeless.

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional 3/4 black tile and ceramic tile ceramic tile alcove shower remodel in Los Angeles with white cabinets, a one-piece toilet and white walls

Inspiration for a coastal medium tone wood floor kitchen/dining room combo remodel in Portland Maine with gray walls

Brian Madden
Example of a classic three-story stone gable roof design in New York

Designer: Judy Whalen; Dan Cutrona Photography
Powder room - traditional marble floor powder room idea in Boston with a vessel sink, furniture-like cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, limestone countertops and multicolored walls

Double shower - large transitional master white tile and ceramic tile porcelain tile and gray floor double shower idea in Houston with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, gray walls, an undermount sink and granite countertops

Powder room sink on top of shelf made from reclaimed lumber.
Farmhouse powder room photo in Los Angeles with a vessel sink

These patterned sofas are the perfect way t signal you're in a different seating area. While the neutral sectional is clearly a place to curl up while watching a movie, these two sweet sofas are at the ready for someone to start up a warm fire and a great conversation!

Greg Boll Photography © HomeFront
Seated home bar - transitional u-shaped seated home bar idea in Chicago with dark wood cabinets, multicolored backsplash and stone tile backsplash

Example of a mid-sized southwest medium tone wood floor and brown floor great room design in Boston with white walls and no fireplace

The client requested a kitchen that would not only provide a great space to cook and enjoy family meals but one that would fit in with her unique design sense. An avid collector of contemporary art, she wanted something unexpected in her 100-year-old home in both color and finishes but still providing a great layout with improved lighting, storage, and superior cooking abilities. The existing kitchen was in a closed off space trapped between the family room and the living. If you were in the kitchen, you were isolated from the rest of the house. Making the kitchen an integrated part of the home was a paramount request. Step one, remove the wall separating the kitchen from the other rooms in the home which allowed the new kitchen to become an integrated space instead of an isolation room for the cook. Next, we relocated the pantry access which was in the family room to the kitchen integrating a poorly used recess which had become a catch all area which did not provide any usable space for storage or working area. To add valuable function in the kitchen we began by capturing unused "cubbies", adding a walk-in pantry from the kitchen, increasing the storage lost to un-needed drop ceilings and bring light and design to the space with a new large awning window, improved lighting, and combining interesting finishes and colors to reflect the artistic attitude of the client. A bathroom located above the kitchen had been leaking into the plaster ceiling for several years. That along with knob and tube wiring, rotted beams and a brick wall from the back of the fireplace in the adjacent living room all needed to be brought to code. The walls, ceiling and floors in this 100+ year old home were completely out of level and the room’s foot print could not be increased. The choice of a Sub-Zero wolf product is a standard in my kitchen designs. The quality of the product, its manufacturing and commitment to food preservation is the reason I specify Sub Zero Wolf. For the cook top, the integrated line of the contemporary cooktop and the signature red knobs against the navy blue of the cabinets added to the design vibe of the kitchen. The cooking performance and the large continuous grate on the cooktop makes it an obvious choice for a cook looking for a great cook top with professional results in a more streamlined profile. We selected a Sharp microwave drawer for the island, an XO wine refrigerator, Bosch dishwasher and Kitchen Aid double convection wall ovens to round out the appliance package. A recess created by the fireplace was outfitted with a cabinet which now holds small appliances within easy reach of my very petite client. Natural maple accents were used inside all the wall cabinets and repeated on the front of the hood and for the sliding door appliance cabinet and the floating shelves. This allows a brighter interior for the painted cabinets instead of the traditional same interior as exterior finish choice. The was an amazing transformation from the old to the new. The final touches are the honey bronze hardware from Top Knobs, Mitzi pendants from Hudson Valley Lighting group, a fabulous faucet from Brizo. To eliminate the old freestanding bottled water cooler, we specified a matching water filter faucet.

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary front door remodel in Miami

This play room is kid paradise. The small door with the speak easy allows kid sized access for the little ones. photo by: Karl Neumann
Mid-sized danish gender-neutral carpeted playroom photo with white walls

“Greensboro’s Grandest House” was recently selected as the 2013 ShowHouse presented by the Junior League of Greensboro and national media sponsor Traditional Home. Among the local and national design talent featured in this special fundraising event was design duo Patti Allen and Stephanie James of Furnitureland South, who transformed the estate’s patio into a classic, colorful and cozy space. Built in the early 1920s, the Adamsleigh estate is more than 15,000 square feet and covers 13.5 acres that include pools, a lake, tennis courts, a stone gazebo and a five-car garage. The 30×60 patio presented a special design challenge – the space was in disrepair and sat unevenly on a downward slope. Rising to the challenge, Patti and Stephanie partnered with Outer Space Landscapes to change the elevation of the patio in order to draw attention to the focal point and inspiration of the project: a beautiful canopy sofa by Century Furniture. The addition of 6 tons of landscaping material included Pennsylvania blue stone, pebbles, sand, cherry trees, azaleas and geraniums all blooming in the colors of the latest Sunbrella fabrics featured in the outdoor furnishings: crisp, sandy white, fuchsia and tangerine. Patti and Stephanie wanted to showcase clean and classic outdoor style with an edge of color and unexpected elements. Playful ottomans by Baker float in the space for multiple functions, adding an extra pop of color to the sophisticated setting which includes a dining table by Oscar de la Renta, organic spot tables from Phillips Collection, and daybeds and seating from Century Furniture. Combining their passion for interior spaces with signature designs, Allen and James Designs gave this outdoor space the comfort, color and style it deserved. Patti and Stephanie, co-founders of Allen and James Designs, are committed to inspire and influence unique spaces for home, work, play and relaxation. With over 25 years of experience and a dedication to client relationships, their infusion of international inspiration with style, color, texture and vision make Patti and Stephanie a creative duo capable of exceeding the expectations of any client’s design project. By forming over 400 connections with key manufactures such as Henredon, Century, Lillian August, Dovetail, Maitland Smith and Huntington House, Allen and James Designs can provide a broad range of options that virtually meet any need a client has to create their dream home.

powder room photo by Sara Terranova
Inspiration for a small timeless marble floor and gray floor powder room remodel in Kansas City with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, a two-piece toilet, multicolored walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops and white countertops

Mid-sized cottage gray tile and glass tile bathroom photo in Seattle with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, gray walls, an undermount sink, white countertops and marble countertops

Living room - mid-century modern formal and open concept carpeted and gray floor living room idea in New York with white walls

This contemporary take on the traditonal man-cave includes crocodile walls, leather seating by oly, flannel drapery by ralph lauren, custom built in cabinetry and a brass tap for a kegerator.

Inspiration for a small cottage l-shaped laminate floor and brown floor enclosed kitchen remodel in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, soapstone countertops, black backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and black countertops