One of the most unique features of the home is the glass door in the living room. Powered like an automatic garage door, the wall retracts up to the ceiling at the press of a button. The door, as all windows throughout the home, was fabricated with double-pane glass to keep out noise and cold temperatures. The sofa and ottoman were designed by Robert and Cortney for CB2. Completely modular, it can be configured in a variety of ways and colors. By implementing a tray onto the ottoman, the piece can go from extra seating to a tabletop in a flash. Photo: Adrienne DeRosa Photography © 2014 Houzz Design: Cortney and Robert Novogratz

Custom designed wallpaper on the stair risers. Photo by Lee Manning Photography
Eclectic wooden l-shaped staircase photo in Los Angeles with painted risers

The vintage desk creates a compact space to do work. The bright colors of the lucite panel chandelier and the hand stiched Indian bedspread pick up the colors of the surfboards in the large format photo of Avila Beach. The client wanted guests to feel welcomed by a California vibe. Photos by- Michele Lee Willson

After six years of living in their Huntley IL home, Chris and Meghan were tired of their dark, dingy, outdated kitchen and it was finally time for a long-anticipated change. “The kitchen is the place where we live, it’s where we do everything,” Meghan said. “It was important that it be a space where we wanted to be.” Meghan loves cooking and enjoys including their girls in healthy meal prepping, this led them to want a brighter, more enjoyable kitchen with increased functionality and improved storage. For Chris especially, the laundry room was an entirely dysfunctional eyesore. “We had a washer and a dryer, but it was all kind-of cobbled together!” Chris said. “There were always laundry piles everywhere, we weren’t really sure what we wanted to do in there, but it was time for us to make a change.” The mess of the space was stressful every time they walked in the door from the garage each day. Kids’ backpacks and shoes piled up haphazardly in the makeshift boot-bench closet left the family feeling disorganized and stressed. They needed space for folding clothes and locker cubbies to help keep the family organized. Having known Christine and Todd in the Huntley community for years, Chris and Meghan were familiar with their work. “We already trusted them personally and having seen their projects for years we knew they did top notch work. After we reviewed the initial round of designs, we knew that hiring them was definitely the right choice,” Meghan and Chris said. Although Chris had done a lot of work in their home himself, the kitchen and laundry room renovation was such a large undertaking that he didn’t want to steal time away from his family to spend what would surely be many long weekends doing the job himself. “That would not have been a wise choice for us,” Chris laughed. “Our designer, Michelle was very, very, easy to work with; anything we wanted to see or weren’t sure about, she went above and beyond to make this easy for us. She was easy to get hold of and always quick to respond,” the couple said. Michelle pulled ideas that mirrored the couple’s taste and style and was adept at directing the couple to limited choices that didn’t overwhelm them and kept the process moving. “I have a hard time making decisions. Michelle made the decision-making process so easy. I loved how she listened to what I liked and then presented three great options for me to choose from,” Meghan said. The main objectives for the kitchen were better storage solutions, they wanted the space to reflect their lifestyle and taste, and they wanted it to last for years with low maintenance. One of the first steps in creating a more functional kitchen was relocating the refrigerator, creating an improved workflow for the busy family. “We didn’t know that we could even move the refrigerator to a new location where it is now, that was something that we never would have thought of,” Chris said. “The new refrigerator location makes the kitchen feel so much bigger. We didn’t add any space, but our whole kitchen with the new design just seems like it’s so much larger than before!” Meghan said. The perimeter mist colored cabinets helped warm and brighten the entire room, while the graphite colored cabinets on the island added contrast. Using this fresh, clean color palette satisfied the couple’s desire for a bright space that was the exact opposite of what they had before. Organization accessories were also added to the cabinets such as a spice drawer tray and roll outs to create hidden convenience. “I absolutely love the hidden spices – it makes cooking so much more enjoyable!” Chris said. “And all the pull outs, and the double trash bin, who would think you could get so excited about organization!” the couple said in unison. One thing they hated in their original kitchen was how dark the space felt. Added lighting on the ceiling with the new light fixtures combined with the lighter cabinetry colors throughout solved this problem. “Our new kitchen has this warm, almost cozy feeling that our old kitchen never had, it’s just a space that I love spending my time in now,” Meghan said. The light airy feeling was accentuated with the use of floating white shelves on either side of the decorative range hood. “We have so much cabinetry space, the new design is amazing we actually have more storage space than we will ever need,” Meghan said. The island was extended to create more work surface and added space for stool seating. “The new island changes how we live. Now the kids can be in the kitchen with us, doing homework, eating breakfast, and the three of us have special dinners there when Chris is working late,” Meghan said. The Carrara Marmi Quartz countertops were chosen because they are, not only beautiful, but are made from hard-working material that doesn’t require maintenance. The white subway tile backsplash that wraps to the ceiling behind the focal point cooktop range/hood compliments the crisp white countertops perfectly, while brushed brass hardware and light fixtures keep the design fresh and new. The couple had a few fears at the beginning of the project, as most homeowners do. Their biggest fear was being out of their kitchen and laundry room for an extended time. The crew made it very easy for the family to work in a limited space keeping the washer and dryer hooked up the majority of the time, and also getting appliances working with minimal downtime. “They above and beyond accommodated us to get us through the process,” Meghan said. “They did a great job making sure we were as comfortable as possible throughout the process,” Chris added. “Our project manager DJ did a great job. He was very good at updating us on schedule changes, getting guys in as quickly as possible. Everyone that stepped in the house was nice and did great work,” said Chris. They thought Advance’s carpenter was phenomenal and were impressed when he took a conceptual idea from a photograph and worked with designer Michelle to create a one of a kind range/hood that has become the topic of conversation with friends and family who visit the new kitchen. “He was in our house literally every day for several weeks. He was easy to work with and good at what he did,” Meghan and Chris said. The focal point of the kitchen; a hand-crafted, custom-built ventilation hood was clad with handpicked reclaimed barnwood. Advance Design’s carpenter built the framework and the cladding to create a one-of-a-kind design element that the couple loves. “I think it was especially fun for him to create something unique from scratch, showcasing his talent in this area,” Meghan said. “I love that my kitchen is not like everyone else’s. I got to pick out the wood on my hood and watch it being built and was able to choose what pieces of wood went where on it. It’s totally unique.” Red Oak flooring was toothed-in throughout the kitchen and the rest of the first floor anywhere changes were made. Then the whole floor was refinished to tone down the orange undertones in the existing floor stain, ultimately changing the color complexion of the entire first floor. The result is a completely new feeling to the entire home. Renovating the laundry room was extremely important to Meghan and Chris, but they had trouble visualizing what the possibilities were for the seemingly small space. Michelle produced beautiful 3D illustrations that helped them envision the space in a whole new way. “I must have told Michelle 100 times that I am a visual person, seeing the designs in 3D made it so easy to make decisions and see what we could really do with our space,” Meghan said. A dividing wall and doorway were removed between the existing laundry room and hallway formerly containing a coat closet, providing space to design specialized graphite colored cabinetry matching the kitchen island to house custom storage cubbies for each family member. Adding the tall utility cabinetry in the new laundry area helped solve the storage issue, tucking away cleaning supplies, household items, and even the cat got its own cubby. “I love how everything is now hidden in its own space. I can’t tell you how much I hated coming home and seeing everything sitting around on counters,” Chris said. Electrical outlets were planned for the inside of utility cabinets, so devices could charge in hidden locations. Stacking the washer and dryer allowed for wider countertop space to provide a folding area and a special space for clothes to hang. “The way I do laundry has been completely transformed! I can actually fold clothes and hang them now right out of the washer and dryer,” Meghan said. “The end result in the kitchen and the laundry/mud room was an updated light and bright space, with a smarter work flow that better meets the needs of this family,” Michelle said. “I would totally recommend Advance Design,” Meghan said. “Sometimes I sit and just look at my kitchen and laundry room and think ‘Wow, I can’t believe I get to live here!’ It’s an understatement to say we love our new space.”

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2014 Houzz
Example of a trendy medium tone wood floor bedroom design in New York with black walls

Williamson Photography
Kitchen pantry - coastal dark wood floor kitchen pantry idea in Other

This Oak Hill basement remodel is a stunning showcase for this family, who are fans of bright colors, interesting design choices, and unique ways to display their interests, from music to games to family heirlooms.

Our Indianapolis studio designed this new construction home for empty nesters. We completed the interior and exterior design for the 4,500 sq ft home. It flaunts an abundance of natural light and elegant finishes. --- Project completed by Wendy Langston's Everything Home interior design firm, which serves Carmel, Zionsville, Fishers, Westfield, Noblesville, and Indianapolis. For more about Everything Home, click here: https://everythinghomedesigns.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://everythinghomedesigns.com/portfolio/sun-drenched-elegance/

SIGNATURE DESIGNS KITCHEN BATH Medallion Cabinetry in Providence Door in White Icing the island in Islander Finish.
Inspiration for a large coastal u-shaped dark wood floor open concept kitchen remodel in San Diego with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and multicolored backsplash

Mid-sized elegant slate floor and gray floor powder room photo in Houston with multicolored walls, a console sink and marble countertops

This modern farmhouse located outside of Spokane, Washington, creates a prominent focal point among the landscape of rolling plains. The composition of the home is dominated by three steep gable rooflines linked together by a central spine. This unique design evokes a sense of expansion and contraction from one space to the next. Vertical cedar siding, poured concrete, and zinc gray metal elements clad the modern farmhouse, which, combined with a shop that has the aesthetic of a weathered barn, creates a sense of modernity that remains rooted to the surrounding environment. The Glo double pane A5 Series windows and doors were selected for the project because of their sleek, modern aesthetic and advanced thermal technology over traditional aluminum windows. High performance spacers, low iron glass, larger continuous thermal breaks, and multiple air seals allows the A5 Series to deliver high performance values and cost effective durability while remaining a sophisticated and stylish design choice. Strategically placed operable windows paired with large expanses of fixed picture windows provide natural ventilation and a visual connection to the outdoors.

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.

Achieve a Royalty Look with Calacatta Gold Tiles We all have that dream home we want to have. Better yet, some of us dream of a fantastic renovation of our homes; transforms them into glossy nests we can always be glad to perch in. For those of us who are already on the way to the dream house, you probably are shopping for material to use. So how about we introduce you to the good old Calacatta Gold marble? If you are asking what that is, we can say it’s a unique way of inspiring royalty to your home using tiles. Calacatta Gold is a special stone tile mined in the hearts of Italy, on the Appian Mountains. Ever since it was discovered, it has been heavily used as a floor tile as well as wall tile, creating remarkable artistic visuals with a touch of natural gold in it. Calacatta gold tile also has one unique trait you won’t notice in most tiles; you can easily mix it with other slab colors, specifically gold extra, Calacatta Borghini, Crema and Super Extra. Calacatta gold is also one of the few tiles with a unique pencil vein detail centering the white hue background and grey veins on the tile as well. This is the perfect choice for artistic walls and floors but be sure to use the right slab colors if you want to bring in more colors; if the slab and tile don’t match in color tones then it may affect the overall look of your walls/floors. There are plenty of places in the house you can experiment with the pristine Calacatta gold tile. How about the living room wall that is a background for your TV and home theater system? Calacatta wall tile will create a covetable golden hue that will always shine before you. Moreover, you will definitely fall in love with your walls in the morning, when a streak of sunlight illuminates the golden yellows. Installing the beautiful Calacatta gold tile is a pretty easy job as well. However you just need to be careful to use white thinset instead of grey. White thinsets will absorb the trowel lines whereas grey may leave behind ugly marks which may taint the exquisite nature of the tiles. If you also want your Calacatta floor tile or wall tile to last longer make sure it is properly sealed with grout. You still have that dream home in mind? We already have you covered on the best tiles to you use. Just think Calacatta gold tile all the way, all your friends will definitely take selfies beside your shiny golden walls. http://AllMarbleTiles.com

Our Oakland studio changed the layout of the master suite and kid's bathroom in this home and gave it a modern update: --- Designed by Oakland interior design studio Joy Street Design. Serving Alameda, Berkeley, Orinda, Walnut Creek, Piedmont, and San Francisco. For more about Joy Street Design, click here: https://www.joystreetdesign.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.joystreetdesign.com/portfolio/bathroom-design-renovation

wa design
Bathroom - contemporary black tile ceramic tile and black floor bathroom idea in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, yellow cabinets and white walls

Located in one of the Ritz residential towers in Boston, the project was a complete renovation. The design and scope of work included the entire residence from marble flooring throughout, to movement of walls, new kitchen, bathrooms, all furnishings, lighting, closets, artwork and accessories. Smart home sound and wifi integration throughout including concealed electronic window treatments. The challenge for the final project design was multifaceted. First and foremost to maintain a light, sheer appearance in the main open areas, while having a considerable amount of seating for living, dining and entertaining purposes. All the while giving an inviting peaceful feel, and never interfering with the view which was of course the piece de resistance throughout. Bringing a unique, individual feeling to each of the private rooms to surprise and stimulate the eye while navigating through the residence was also a priority and great pleasure to work on, while incorporating small details within each room to bind the flow from area to area which would not be necessarily obvious to the eye, but palpable in our minds in a very suttle manner. The combination of luxurious textures throughout brought a third dimension into the environments, and one of the many aspects that made the project so exceptionally unique, and a true pleasure to have created. Reach us www.themorsoncollection.com Photography by Elevin Studio.

Example of a country light wood floor kitchen design in New York with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, yellow cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances and two islands

Meghan Beierle
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional dark wood floor dining room remodel in Los Angeles with white walls

The original Living Room was slightly longer, with a closed in rear porch off of the back of it and a covered side porch. We kept the original mantle, but added a new marble surround, added new plaster and trim, new flooring and opened up the room to the new sitting room beyond. Additionally, we enclosed the side porch.