The basement in this home sat unused for years. Cinder block windows did a poor job of brightening the space. Linoleum floors were outdated years ago. The bar was a brick and mortar monster. The remodeling design began with a new centerpiece – a gas fireplace to warm up cold Minnesota evenings. It features custom brickwork enclosing the energy efficient firebox. New energy-efficient egress windows can be opened to allow cross ventilation, while keeping the room cozy. A dramatic improvement over cinder block glass. A new wet bar was added, featuring Oak Wood cabinets and Granite countertops. Note the custom tile work behind the stainless steel sink. The bar itself uses the same materials, creating comfortable seating for three. Finally, the use of in-ceiling down lights adds a single “color” of light, making the entire room both bright and warm. The before and after photos tell the whole story.

We provided the design for this bedroom to library conversion. By opening up the ceiling and going into the unused attic space, we were able to create floor to ceiling library shelving that finally housed this academic's literary collection. Original transom windows in the attach as well as three floor level windows let in lots of natural light for working and reading.

A double-deck house in Tampa, Florida with a garden and swimming pool is currently under construction. The owner's idea was to create a monochrome interior in gray tones. We added turquoise and beige colors to soften it. For the floors we designed wooden parquet in the shade of oak wood. The built in bio fireplace is a symbol of the home sweet home feel. We used many textiles, mainly curtains and carpets, to make the family space more cosy. The dining area is dominated by a beautiful chandelier with crystal balls from the US store Restoration Hardware and to it wall lamps next to fireplace in the same set. The center of the living area creates comfortable sofa, elegantly complemented by the design side glass tables with recessed wooden branches, also from Restoration Hardware :-) There is also a built-in library with backlight, which fills the unused space next to door. The whole house is lit by lots of led strips in the ceiling. I believe we have created beautiful, luxurious and elegant living for the young family :-)

Our clients came to our North Showroom in Cedar Park, TX wanting to completely renovate the outdated cabinets and countertops in their newly purchased home. The flow of the kitchen was not aligning with their new family needs, and the style did not match their modern vision. The dated kitchen left a lot of unused space, and had pain points that disturbed the flow and symmetry of the space. We developed a design to take advantage of the room height, spacious area, and natural light from the bay window nook area. Our designer Dave met with the clients in the showroom and discovered the needs and wants to make the kitchen remodel a success. After understanding the client’s vision and requirements, they begun the collaboration on their kitchen design. During this phase we concluded we could achieve the kitchen design with in-stock cabinets from Kitchen Cabinet Distributors (KCD), a national recognized in-stock cabinet provider. We could have chosen a custom kitchen cabinetry line, however KCD’s offerings were the perfect fit for the design and allowed for an opportunity to save some of the budget for full quartz backsplash vs. tile. Our designers help you navigate the different lines we carry and are thoughtful to not steer you to more than you need to succeed. The first order of business was to change the orientation of the island, and move its position to frame the new galley arrangement. This would allow for better egress around the island and prevent tight spaces for a busy new kitchen. Secondly, now was the time to take advantage of the room height and install new stacked wall cabinets with clear glass panels on the top row. This made the kitchen renovation feel more grand, bright, and inviting. The glass provided opportunity to tie in the lighting scheme and lend more warmth to the design. Coupled with the toe kick and under cabinet lights in the base cabinets, the kitchen invites you in. Dave also took full advantage of the kitchen layout by using upper cabinets and no open shelving. We also wanted to find a new home for the built-in microwave as a stainless hood was now going to frame the cooktop / oven combo. We modified the cabinet in the island to trim in a microwave, at the same time keeping it out of view from the living area. Building on this approach, we also took the trash bin out of the kitchen space and provided a dedicated double trash bin cabinet. Aesthetics were very important in this design.

Custom and modular racking with a clear finish transformed an unused living room into a spectacular and relaxing wine and entertaining room. Granite counters, wrought iron gates, stone hearth and television make for the perfect ambience.

This beautiful armoire is actually a cherry wood craftsman Sonoma Wallbed. It transforms a spare room into and instant guest room without making it unusable for other purposes.

This completed home boasts a HERS index of zero. The most noteworthy energy efficient features are the air tightness of the thermal shell and the use of solar energy. Using a 17.1 kW Photovoltaic system and Tesla Powerwall, the solar system provides approximately 100% of the annual electrical energy needs. In addition, an innovative “pod” floor plan design allows each separate pod to be closed off for minimal HVAC use when unused. A Grand ARDA for Green Design goes to Phil Kean Design Group Designer: Phil Kean Design Group From: Winter Park, Florida

The BEFORE of What began as a simple request to turn unused outdoor space into a children’s playground evolved into a multi-stage transformation designed for all ages. This growing project started with play structures and safety-focused landscaping for the kids—but as the client’s vision expanded, so did the design. Over time, we added a hot tub, fire pit, and elevated areas for lounging, creating a dynamic outdoor living space that offers both fun and relaxation for every generation. From playful beginnings to a fully realized retreat, this project is a great example of how your space and your vision can grow with you.

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.

Kitchen 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

Sunroom - traditional sunroom idea in New York

Took unused space and made an area for our homeowners to utilize an outdoor living area for them, their children and pet to enjoy!
Design ideas for a large craftsman hillside stone landscaping in Other.

This primary suite was reconfigured to significantly increase the space of both the primary bathroom and closet. We removed two closets from the bedroom and deleted an unused guest bedroom giving our clients some much needed space. With a Modern Traditional design style using a mix of metal finishes, custom white oak cabinets, and a contrasting dark tile floor ties the space together.

This patio was part of a surprise patio makeover called Patio Flip. This patio is now fit to entertain any crowd and provide several areas to entertain. The unused side yard was turned into a beautiful dining space. This stunning outdoor kitchen also received a makeover as well and was repositioned to become more functional in the space. The outdoor lounge area provides a contemporary, casual seating area. Overall Design, Layout, Plants, Furniture and Accessories by Outdoor Space Designs and Kate Bowers Landscape Design

This space was the unused upstairs of a barn. We transformed it into the most lovely Mahjong room for the client and her friendsl
Large eclectic open concept medium tone wood floor family room photo in Dallas with beige walls

This front yard had a non-functional and failing walkway that needed to be re-done. Concrete that was heaving and cracking made an unusable path and were pushing on the stair case to the house from freeze thaw cycles. We cam in and designed and built a new inviting but eye-eye catching set of front cascading stairs and landings. Not only did the stairs need to be beautiful the homeowner needed them to blend seamlessly with the architecture of the house so they looked like they were planned with the original build! Add in the homeowners love for gardening and horticulture and this meant we needed to create a space that had local hardy plants that were densely planted so they started to mature and spill onto the hardscapes overtime. By doing this the hardscapes will soften and blend into the surrounding landscape in no time!

This primary bathroom remodel was designed with timeless style and everyday functionality in mind. The original space lacked sufficient storage and included an oversized tub that went unused, limiting both efficiency and comfort. By squaring up the shower footprint and reworking the layout, we were able to create a more balanced and intentional design. A custom double vanity provides generous storage for daily routines, while a new linen cabinet ensures everything has a dedicated place. The updated layout maximizes every square foot, creating a primary bathroom that feels classic, organized, and thoughtfully tailored to this family’s needs. We are grateful for the trust our clients placed in our team and honored to create a space that truly supports how they live.

Entertaining friends and family doesn't work well when rooms are small and closed off. So when our clients decided to remodel, they knew they wanted to open up the space to accommodate large gatherings. Also important were ample storage and quality appliances that would hold up to the demands of cooking creative meals several nights a week. As is sometimes the case with remodeling, solving one problem can create another. Opening up the space involved removing a wall, which sacrificed critical square footage for cabinetry and appliances. We knew the wall needed to come down so we were challenged with making sure every available cabinet space in the kitchen was being utilized as thoughtfully and creatively as possible. A tall pantry was added next to the refrigerator to allow for storage of pots and pans, as well as food, while another pantry in the adjacent dining room housed all dishes and silverware. A small bar area was created in an unused section in the back of the home to store coffee and tea accessories and drinkware. Finally, a small island in the center of the kitchen offered the ideal location for the microwave and most-used pots and pans. With the expanded space, smart use of storage options and top-notch appliances, our clients are enjoying working in their new kitchen and have already hosted a ravioli-making class! Matt Villano Photography

Add both function and style to an otherwise unused corner with the Oxford 3 Tier Corner Bookcase. Featuring an open space that provides 3 spacious shelves for decoration collections art and books. Available in multiple finishes, with a simply elegant crossed “X" design this piece can transform any space into something truly beautiful. Crafted for durability this piece will quickly become a staple in your home. Look for other items from the Oxford Collection sold separately.