Secret Door Basement to closet. Door hidden behind bookcase.
Inspiration for an industrial basement remodel in Atlanta

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Lakefront property in the northwest suburbs of Chicago is hard to come by, so when we were hired by this young family with exactly that, we were immediately inspired by not just the unusually large footprint of this 1950’s colonial revival but also the lovely views of the manmade lake it was sited on. The large 5-bedroom home was solidly stuck in the 1980’s, but we saw tons of potential. We started out by updating the existing staircase with a fresh coat of paint and adding new herringbone slate to the entry hall. The powder room off the entryway also got a refresh - new flooring, new cabinets and fixtures. We ran the new slate right through into this space for some consistency. A fun wallpaper and shiplap trim add a welcoming feel and set the tone for the home. Next, we tackled the kitchen. Located away from the rest of the first floor, the kitchen felt a little isolated, so we immediately began planning for how to better connect it to the rest of the first floor. We landed on removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room and designed a modified galley style space with separate cooking and clean up zones. The cooking zone consists of the refrigerator, prep sink and cooktop, along with a nice long run of prep space at the island. The cleanup side of the kitchen consists of the main sink and dishwasher. Both areas are situated so that the user can view the lake during prep work and cleanup! One of the home’s main puzzles was how to incorporate the mudroom and area in front of the patio doors at the back of the house. We already had a breakfast table area, so the space by the patio doors was a bit of a no man’s land. We decided to separate the kitchen proper from what became the new mudroom with a large set of barn doors. That way you can quickly hide any mudroom messes but have easy access to the light coming in through the patio doors as well as the outdoor grilling station. We also love the impact the barn doors add to the overall space. The homeowners’ first words to us were “it’s time to ditch the brown,” so we did! We chose a lovely blue pallet that reflects the home’s location on the lake which is also vibrant yet easy on the eye. Countertops are white quartz, and the natural oak floor works well with the other honey accents. The breakfast table was given a refresh with new chairs, chandelier and window treatments that frame the gorgeous views of the lake out the back. We coordinated the slate mudroom flooring with that used in the home’s main entrance for a consistent feel. The storage area consists of open and closed storage to allow for some clutter control as needed. Next on our “to do” list was revamping the dated brown bar area in the neighboring dining room. We eliminated the clutter by adding some closed cabinets and did some easy updates to help the space feel more current. One snag we ran into here was the discovery of a beam above the existing open shelving that had to be modified with a smaller structural beam to allow for our new design to work. This was an unexpected surprise, but in the end we think it was well worth it! We kept the colors here a bit more muted to blend with the homeowner’s existing furnishings. Open shelving and polished nickel hardware add some simple detail to the new entertainment zone which also looks out onto the lake! Next we tackled the upstairs starting with the homeowner’s son’s bath. The bath originally had both a tub shower and a separate shower, so we decided to swap out the shower for a new laundry area. This freed up some space downstairs in what used to be the mudroom/laundry room and is much more convenient for daily laundry needs. We continued the blue palette here with navy cabinetry and the navy tile in the shower. Porcelain floor tile and chrome fixtures keep maintenance to a minimum while matte black mirrors and lighting add some depth the design. A low maintenance runner adds some warmth underfoot and ties the whole space together. We added a pocket door to the bathroom to minimize interference with the door swings. The left door of the laundry closet is on a 180 degree hinge to allow for easy full access to the machines. Next we tackled the master bath which is an en suite arrangement. The original was typical of the 1980’s with the vanity outside of the bathroom, situated near the master closet. And the brown theme continued here with multiple shades of brown. Our first move was to segment off the bath and the closet from the master bedroom. We created a short hall from the bedroom to the bathroom with his and hers walk-in closets on the left and right as well as a separate toilet closet outside of the main bathroom for privacy and flexibility. The original bathroom had a giant soaking tub with steps (dangerous!) as well as a small shower that did not work well for our homeowner who is 6’3”. With other bathtubs in the home, they decided to eliminate the tub and create an oversized shower which takes up the space where the old tub was located. The double vanity is on the opposite wall and a bench is located under the window for morning conversations and a place to set a couple of towels. The pallet in here is light and airy with a mix of blond wood, creamy porcelain and marble tile, and brass accents. A simple roman shade adds some texture and it’s top-down mechanism allows for light and privacy. This large whole house remodel gave our homeowners not only the ability to maximize the potential of their home but also created a lovely new frame from which to view their fabulous lake views. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Cor-Ten steel acts as the primary exterior material. Subtle design features in the steel paneling of the guest wing create notable results; every other panel is slightly offset to create visual and unexpected interest. Photo: David Agnello

Kitchen - cottage kitchen idea in Bridgeport

Trendy light wood floor entryway photo in Denver with gray walls

Transitional kitchen photo in Portland Maine

Designed to stay clutter free, the shower features a built in recessed niche & a large bench seat, to organize the homeowners shower products. The two person shower outfitted with 3 showering components, encourages shared time. Showering configurations invite the owners to enjoy personalized spa settings together, including a ceiling mounted rain shower head, & a multi- functional shower head and handheld with a pivot for precise positioning. Vertical wall tiles mixed with blue glass mosaic tiles create visual interest. The pebble floor not only feels amazing underfoot but adds an unexpected twist to this modern downtown retreat.

Emily Minton Redfield
Kitchen - large traditional l-shaped dark wood floor kitchen idea in St Louis with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, gray backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

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.

This project was featured in Midwest Home magazine as the winner of ASID Life in Color. The addition of a kitchen with custom shaker-style cabinetry and a large shiplap island is perfect for entertaining and hosting events for family and friends. Quartz counters that mimic the look of marble were chosen for their durability and ease of maintenance. Open shelving with brass sconces above the sink create a focal point for the large open space. Putting a modern spin on the traditional nautical/coastal theme was a goal. We took the quintessential palette of navy and white and added pops of green, stylish patterns, and unexpected artwork to create a fresh bright space. Grasscloth on the back of the built in bookshelves and console table along with rattan and the bentwood side table add warm texture. Finishes and furnishings were selected with a practicality to fit their lifestyle and the connection to the outdoors. A large sectional along with the custom cocktail table in the living room area provide ample room for game night or a quiet evening watching movies with the kids. To learn more visit https://k2interiordesigns.com To view article in Midwest Home visit https://midwesthome.com/interior-spaces/life-in-color-2019/ Photography - Spacecrafting

Beach style home office photo in Dallas

Transitional kitchen photo in Minneapolis

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.

The artisan tradition has never been more alluring. Tracing its visual inspiration to factories of the early 20th century, the Artesso Kitchen Collection by Brizo® is a warmer, more refined take on the industrial aesthetic. Born out of the spirit of the industrial revolution, Artesso combines inspiration from factories and forged metal to farming tools and inventions of the time. These elements give it the unique ability to be rustic and masculine, while still maintaining a sophisticated unexpected allure.

Signature Design Interiors enjoyed transforming this family’s traditional basement into a modern family space for watching sports and movies that could also double as the perfect setting for entertaining friends and guests. Multiple comfortable seating areas were needed and a complete update to all the finishes, from top to bottom, was required. A classy color palette of platinum, champagne, and smoky gray ties all of the spaces together, while geometric shapes and patterns add pops of interest. Every surface was touched, from the flooring to the walls and ceilings and all new furnishings were added. One of the most traditional architectural features in the existing space was the red brick fireplace, accent wall and arches. We painted those white and gave it a distressed finish. Berber carpeting was replaced with an engineered wood flooring with a weathered texture, which is easy to maintain and clean. In the television viewing area, a microfiber sectional is accented with a series of hexagonal tables that have been grouped together to form a multi-surface coffee table with depth, creating an unexpected focal point to the room. A rich leather accent chair and luxe area rug with a modern floral pattern ties in the overall color scheme. New geometric patterned window treatments provide the perfect frame for the wall mounted flat screen television. Oval table lamps in a brushed silver finish add not only light, but also tons of style. Just behind the sofa, there is a custom designed console table with built-in electrical and USB outlets that is paired with leather stools for additional seating when needed. Floor outlets were installed under the sectional in order to get power to the console table. How’s that for charging convenience? Behind the TV area and beside the bar is a small sitting area. It had an existing metal pendant light, which served as a source of design inspiration to build upon. Here, we added a table for games with leather chairs that compliment those at the console table. The family’s sports memorabilia is featured on the walls and the floor is punctuated with a fantastic area rug that brings in our color theme and a dramatic geometric pattern. We are so pleased with the results and wish our clients many years of cheering on their favorite sports teams, watching movies, and hosting great parties in their new modern basement!

Example of a mountain style bedroom design in Atlanta

Photo by Nat Rea
Example of a beach style family room design in Providence

Entryway - modern entryway idea in Orange County

Corner shower - mid-sized country 3/4 cement tile floor and white floor corner shower idea in San Diego with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls, an undermount sink, marble countertops and a hinged shower door