What was once an unused living room became a mega media room.
Family room - mid-sized modern open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor family room idea in San Francisco with orange walls and a ribbon fireplace

Gardner/Fox - Gardner/Fox completed this master suite renovation including a master bathroom expansion and renovation, and the creation of a walk-in closet. The new bathroom was doubled in size, after being combined with an unused walk-in closet. The new bathroom hosts a custom built-in vanity and storage, a 40 square-foot glass enclosed shower, and an Albert and Victoria free standing tub. The new closet was converted from a seldom used living space.

A simply stunning transformation of an small, unusable patio, into an oasis of beauty. Mexican pebbles paths with stepping stones, set between new brick columns with metal gates and railings, lead you back to a new bluestone patio large enough for entertaining and dining options. The new yard and plantings are just the topping needed when accented by the amazing low voltage lighting. This is one you have to truly see to enjoy!

The home’s interior was transformed to reflect more of the family’s personal style. A mix of soft colors, textures, and bold patterns in the living room enhance the quartersawn oak trim and the client’s collection of Arts and Crafts furniture. Large unused doors leading to the porch were replaced with high windows, allowing for a more functional seating arrangement.

We helped transform our clients fixer upper into a bespoke custom kitchen. Taking advantage of the unused attic above the old space, we revealed a dramatic vault that defines the heart of the home. An oversized island for 6, double dishwashers, bold color with english styling and brass accents come together for a one of a kind kitchen.

This once unused bonus room was transformed into a wonderful new bedroom for a boy with lots of room to grow, play and have sleepovers. We took advantage of the attic space either side of the room by recessing the TV / storage area and also on the opposite side with the double desk unit. The room was separated by the sets of drawers that have custom headboards at the back of them, this helping with the great length of this room. Custom bookcase shelving was made for the window wall to also create not only depth but display as well. The clients as well as their son are enjoying the room!

This client is in the beauty industry, so – in additional to great style – she has more beauty products than most people do. Before the renovation, there were products all over the counters and in temporary roll-in shelving units that got wheeled into the bathroom. It was time for a change. Design objectives: -Add tons of storage -Feature blingy, reflective materials -Improve lighting -Omit unused built-in tub -Create a large luxurious shower -Include large mirrors to the ceiling THE REMODEL With the right storage solutions, a bathroom loaded with products and gadgets can look virtually empty. Elegance and order contribute to living life artfully. Design challenges: -Standard vanities don’t offer much storage -The existing window was in an ideal spot for a shower -The client prefers large mirrors, so we needed an alternative to medicine cabinets Design solutions: -Replace the existing window with a waterproof privacy window -Create dresser-style vanities with u-shaped drawers for maximum storage -Include a tall cabinet with roll-out shelves for maximum storage and organization THE RENEWED SPACE Beauty products and daily needs are organized and out of the way – out of sight but easy to access. With a creative, modern palette of colors, patterns and textures, the bathroom’s aura is inviting, relaxing and luxurious.

Our client and I began with just her living room, then moved to the custom designed mohair sectional, and floor to ceiling detail in the family room, finished the powder room, then added the dining room and lastly the master suite. At the end of this first floor project that began only with the living room she asked if I could transform her unused finished third floor into a master retreat. It’s funny, at the beginning of our relationship, she didn’t feel she had a clearly defined style. After we began working together it evolved into the perfect house for her and her new husband. Beth Krupa, Interior Designer

Living Room in Alyssa Lane | Key Feature: A complete kitchen + living room transformation designed for a young, growing family who loved their home, but needed it to work harder and reflect their personality. The updated kitchen became the heart of the home, featuring a hidden smoothie station to keep daily essentials out of sight, plus a dedicated cocktail bar setup for entertaining. In the living room, the fireplace wall was fully reimagined by centering the previously cornered fireplace and creating a multifunctional media wall with custom furnishings and a statement chandelier. To top it off, the former formal dining room was transformed into a bar lounge with custom brass shelving, a black grasscloth backdrop, and a bold, elevated vibe perfect for hosting friends and family. Challenge: This home belonged to a young couple with two small kids and a growing business, and while they loved the house itself, the spaces didn’t support the way they actually lived. The kitchen lacked function and storage, everyday routines (like smoothie-making) created visual clutter, and cocktail entertaining essentials were being shoved into the pantry with no dedicated space. The living room also felt awkward and unfinished due to the cornered fireplace, which made it difficult to create a centered, functional media wall. On top of that, the formal dining room wasn’t being used, leaving valuable square footage underutilized and disconnected from their lifestyle and personality. Solution: We redesigned the home around how the family truly uses it day-to-day, focusing on function, personality, and elevated livability. In the kitchen, we created a modern, highly organized layout complete with a hidden smoothie station so daily supplies stay accessible but out of sight. For entertaining, we designed a dedicated bar area for Ryan, giving him a more inspired space to make cocktails without relying on pantry storage. In the living room, we centered the fireplace and fully revamped the feature wall into a multifunctional entertainment/media wall, then layered in custom furniture pieces and a statement chandelier to bring warmth and style. Finally, we converted the unused formal dining room into a bar lounge with custom brass shelving, a striking black grasscloth wall, and a sophisticated hangout space perfect for entertaining family and friends. Budget: $100k-$150k | Timeline: 4 months

This secluded single-family home in Great Falls, had a beautiful backyard setting. The owners recently built a gorgeous pool and surround deck on the right side of the house in their backyard. They inherited a rundown deck off of the kitchen patio doors. Our team designed a two-story outdoor living addition which offers the family everything that they can hope for in outdoor living. Our massive plan required excavation to make the lower level patio both attractive and functional for all kinds of outdoor activity. We excavated down two feet to create a nine-foot high patio, cut concrete walls to add French doors from to dark and unused side of the basement bringing improved use for the basement. The entire back wall was covered with matching brick veneer to entire front and side elevations. The roof of this patio was covered with EPDM roofing rolls to make the lower patio stay dry and protected. Steps away from pool sun deck, this flagstone covered patio turned into a prime space for entertainment. The built-in middle bar equipped with under counter beverage fridge and beer tab to make gatherings more exciting. The side steps built in with matching solid stone threads offered access to driveway and the second floor covered porch. The second floor is finished with porcelain floor tiles, stain grade ceiling panels, wrought iron rails, decorative recessed panel columns, hanging gorgeous ceiling fans steps away from the kitchen. Just outside of this covered porch, there is a deck with the same tile floor facing the pool area offering a breath taking view. Carefully selection of soft toned wood looking plank porcelain tiles compliment the knotty soft grey stain ceiling panels making this project one that shines even on rainy days. The custom-made spiral rod iron staircase offers an elegant second set of steps so that the upper level deck can reach into backyard and pool deck.

This home renovation project transformed unused, unfinished spaces into vibrant living areas. Each exudes elegance and sophistication, offering personalized design for unforgettable family moments. Step into luxury with this entryway boasting grand doors, captivating lighting, and a staircase view. The area rug adds warmth, inviting guests to experience elegance from the moment they arrive. 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, see here: https://everythinghomedesigns.com/ To learn more about this project, see here: https://everythinghomedesigns.com/portfolio/fishers-chic-family-home-renovation/

Nestled on a challenging steep, rocky incline with breathtaking ocean vistas, this backyard was initially nearly unusable due to its limited flat areas. The homeowner's vision was to transform it into a multifunctional space capable of hosting large gatherings of family and friends. The transformative design boasts four terraced decks: two featuring cozy fire pits, one equipped with a hot tub perfectly positioned for sunset viewing, and another for daytime relaxation, alongside a hidden deck designed especially for children's play. The space is further enhanced with an outdoor kitchen, a cascading water feature adorning the slope, seating nestled under a waterproof deck, and built-in wooden seating with cleverly integrated storage, all centered around a playful and inviting pool.

Although this Hinsdale home was only about a decade old, the floor plan and finishes already felt dated. The homeowners expressed that the layout wasn’t working—particularly the disconnect between spaces they used and those they didn’t. O’Brien Harris was originally brought in to renovate the kitchen, but it quickly became clear that a more holistic transformation was needed. The formal dining room, located at the front of the house, had long gone unused. Along with design Brynn Olson, O’Brien Harris reimagined the space as a high-gloss wine lounge that now opens onto the front terrace. The adjacent covered porch was enclosed and converted into a light-filled new dining room, making entertaining and everyday meals more inviting and accessible. O’Brien Harris also fully paneled the great room, adding built-in bookcases and reshaping existing arches to bring depth, warmth, and architectural continuity. The galley-style kitchen is now the heart of the home. Designed for a family that loves to cook and entertain, it features a central island and a secondary wall of storage with floor-to-ceiling cabinetry to house refrigeration, freezer drawers, and extensive dish storage, outfitted with a library ladder. The cabinet finishes are a blend of painted surfaces and light oak, offering warmth without heaviness. Icebox-style strap hinges and latches bring refined vintage character to the space while emphasizing functionality with beauty. In the primary bath, O’Brien Harris introduced painted cabinetry beneath a waterfall stone counter to coordinate with upholstered panels and full marble finishes. His-and-hers vanities and custom stone flooring complete the serene, tailored retreat. This was a deeply transformative project, not only in terms of layout, but in the way the spaces now flow and function together—with O’Brien Harris cabinetry anchoring it all in timeless craftsmanship.

An 1800’s carriage house sets the stage for this classic kitchen remodel. The homeowners wanted to be true to the architecture of their home while incorporating top quality, cutting edge appliances and modern day conveniences. They are discerning cooks who entertain often. The original kitchen, done in the 1990’s, had built-out walls covering the original stone of the house. Once exposed and repointed, the stone served as an amazing backsplash in the space, and we were able to gain almost 12” in the width of the room! The fabulous matte black BlueStar range is topped off with a unique antique fireback and is complimented by hand-pegged, hand-planed custom cabinetry that are scribed to the stone walls with precision. The distressed soapstone counters bring warmth to the space that makes you want to cozy up and stay a while. Since the kitchen does not allow for an island, the unused dining room was turned into a combined bar area and butler’s pantry. This small room packs a lot in with antique heart pine countertops, beadboard backsplash, and cabinetry backs, which provide a warm, casual feel. An additional refrigerator and dishwasher, as well as an icemaker, all hidden behind cabinetry panels, provide everything they need, and more, for entertaining family and friends. Suffice it to say, our clients are thrilled with their new ‘old’ kitchen! Matt Villano Photography

This Toronto Beaches master bath remodel involved a complete redesign of the 3rd floor. Carter Fox expanded the bathroom and converted an unused bedroom to create a walk-in closet with laundry facilities. Photo by Julie Carter

This 60’s home had a peninsula with base cabinets as well as upper cabinets with a double wall oven at the end, smack dab in the middle of the room. Basically closing the kitchen off to the rest of the space. We removed all of the peninsula cabinets, old wall oven, and the existing cooktop, and re-installed much of the cabinetry on the outer wall. We built a new false soffit to match the existing one, replaced the bead board walls with drywall, and installed and refaced the removed peninsula cabinets along the extension of the kitchen wall, accompanied by some new cabinetry to enhance functionality. Many new custom made drawer boxes with soft close glides were installed to complete that side of the room. On the opposite side of the kitchen, an unused kitchen desk area was torn out and a duplicate pantry was custom built, and refaced to match. The bookcase was refaced and outfitted with new doors and new drawer boxes as well. The owner chose to go with Northern Contours Manchester II doors done in Glacier White thermofoil. New Quartz countertops, New hardwood floors, and some new furniture was the finishing touches that brought the transformation together. Still a warm, and inviting, traditional cooks kitchen, but now, brought into modern times with finishes, space and functionality that brings the whole family together.

Che Interiors worked closely with our client to plan, design, and implement a renovation of two children’s rooms, create a mudroom with laundry area in an unused downstairs space, renovate a kitchenette area, and create a home office space in a downstairs living room by adding floor to ceiling room dividers. As the children were growing so were their needs and we took this into account when planning for both kids’ rooms. As one child was graduating to a big kids room the other was moving into their siblings nursery. We wanted to update the nursery so that it became something new and unique to its new inhabitant. For this room we repurposed a lot of the furniture, repainted all the walls, added a striking outer-space whale wallpaper that would grow with the little one and added a few new features; a toddlers busy board with fun twists and knobs to encourage brain function and growth, a few floor mats for rolling around, and a climbing arch that could double as a artist work desk as the little grows. Downstairs we created a whimsical big kids room by repainting all the walls, building a custom bookshelf, sourcing the coolest toddler bed with trundle for sleepovers, featured a whimsical wonderland wallpaper, adding a few animal toy baskets, we sourced large monstera rugs, a toddlers table with chairs, fun colorful felt hooks and a few climbing foam pieces for jumping and rolling on. For the kitchenette, we worked closely with the General Contractor to repaint the cabinets, add handle pulls, and install new mudroom and laundry furniture. We carried the kitchenette green color to the bathroom cabinets and to the floor to ceiling room dividers for the home office space. Lastly we brought in an organization team to help de-clutter and create a fluid everything-has-its-place system that would make our client’s lives easier.

A bright, modern, and fully functional ADU designed to maximize every square foot. This project features an open living space, full kitchen with stainless steel appliances, bathroom, in-unit stacked washer and dryer, mini-split heating and cooling, durable wood-look flooring, and plenty of natural light. A great example of how unused backyard space can be transformed into a comfortable, independent living space—perfect for family, guests, or rental income.

A cramped and dated kitchen becomes a light, bright, and spacious great room through the removal of a wall dividing the kitchen from the living and dining rooms. The new cabinet plan is expanded into an unused breakfast nook enlarging the functional space. Efficient storage is designed with the addition of a tall pantry cabinet fitted with roll-out shelves, ample use of convenient drawer storage, trash and recycling pull-out, and an appliance garage designed to hide away an assortment of countertop appliances. Pro-style appliances by Jennair make this kitchen a chef’s dream and thoughtful design details complete the overall look.