Stacy Zarin Goldberg
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional dining room remodel in DC Metro with gray walls, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace

Having a small child, loving to entertain and looking to declutter and kid-proof the gathering spaces of their home in the quaint village of Rockville Centre, Long Island, a stone’s throw from Manhattan, our client’s main objective was to have their living room and den transformed with a family friendly home makeover with mid-century modern tones boasting a formal, yet relaxed spirit Stepping into the home we found their living room and den both architecturally well appointed yet in need of modern transitional furniture pieces and the pops of color our clients admired, as there was a substantial amount of cool, cold grays in the rooms. Decor Aid designer Vivian C. approached the design and placement of the pieces sourced to be kid-friendly while remaining sophisticated and practical for entertaining. “We played off of the clients love for blush pinks, mid-century modern and turquoise. We played with the use of gold and silver metals to mix it up.” In the living room, we used the prominent bay window and its illuminating natural light as the main architectural focal point, while the fireplace and mantels soft white tone helped inform the minimalist color palette for which we styled the room around. To add warmth to the living room we played off of the clients love for blush pinks and turquoise while elevating the room with flashes of gold and silver metallic pieces. For a sense of play and to tie the space together we punctuated the kid-friendly living room with an eclectic juxtaposition of colors and materials, from a beautifully patchworked geometric cowhide rug from All Modern, to a whimsical mirror placed over an unexpected, bold geometric credenza, to the blush velvet barrel chair and abstract blue watercolor pillows. “When sourcing furniture and objects, we chose items that had rounded edges and were shatter proof as it was vital to keep each room’s decor childproof.” Vivian ads. Their vision for the den remained chic, with comfort and practical functionality key to create an area for the young family to come together. For the den, our main challenge was working around the pre-existing dark gray sectional sofa. To combat its chunkiness, we played off of the hues in the cubist framed prints placed above and focused on blue and orange accents which complement and play off of each other well. We selected orange storage ottomans in easy to clean, kid-friendly leather to maximize space and functionality. To personalize the appeal of the den we included black and white framed family photos. In the end, the result created a fun, relaxed space where our clients can enjoy family moments or watch a game while taking in the scenic view of their backyard. For harmony between the rooms, the overall tone for each room is mid-century modern meets bold, yet classic contemporary through the use of mixed materials and fabrications including marble, stone, metals and plush velvet, creating a cozy yet sophisticated enough atmosphere for entertaining family and friends and raising a young children. “The result od this family friendly room was really fantastic! Adding some greenery, more pillows and throws really made the space pop.” Vivian C. Decor Aid’s Designer

A small guest bath in this Lakewood mid century was updated to be much more user friendly but remain true to the aesthetic of the home. A custom wall-hung walnut vanity with linear asymmetrical holly inlays sits beneath a custom blue concrete sinktop. The entire vanity wall and shower is tiled in a unique textured Porcelanosa tile in white. Tim Gormley, TG Image

Embarking on a garage remodeling project is a transformative endeavor that can significantly enhance both the functionality and aesthetics of the space. By investing in tailored storage solutions such as cabinets, wall-mounted organizers, and overhead racks, one can efficiently declutter the area and create a more organized storage system. Flooring upgrades, such as epoxy coatings or durable tiles, not only improve the garage's appearance but also provide a resilient surface. Adding custom workbenches or tool storage solutions contributes to a more efficient and user-friendly workspace. Additionally, incorporating proper lighting and ventilation ensures a well-lit and comfortable environment. A remodeled garage not only increases property value but also opens up possibilities for alternative uses, such as a home gym, workshop, or hobby space, making it a worthwhile investment for both practicality and lifestyle improvement.

This modern formal dining room is softened by the textured wallpaper that wraps the room. Photo Credit: Angie Seckinger
Inspiration for a transitional dark wood floor and brown floor dining room remodel in DC Metro with blue walls

Our clients loved their neighborhood and being able to walk to work. While they knew it was their forever home, they needed more space. Their goals were to completely update the interior while keeping the original charm. They also wanted to add an addition for more space for their growing family. On the first floor we relocated the kitchen, dining, and laundry room. With the rear addition we were able to enlarge the kitchen and dining and add in a powder room, secondary playroom, mudroom and back entry. On the second floor, the back half was entirely reconfigured. We added a primary suite and a hallway bathroom. With this being a historic home, we left the existing windows in place as well as the trim and baseboards. We kept and refinished the existing stairway railing. The primary bathroom was moved to be more user friendly. We made cosmetic upgrades throughout the home for a cohesive look that matches the homeowner’s style which was transitional with industrial elements.

Our clients loved their neighborhood and being able to walk to work. While they knew it was their forever home, they needed more space. Their goals were to completely update the interior while keeping the original charm. They also wanted to add an addition for more space for their growing family. On the first floor we relocated the kitchen, dining, and laundry room. With the rear addition we were able to enlarge the kitchen and dining and add in a powder room, secondary playroom, mudroom and back entry. On the second floor, the back half was entirely reconfigured. We added a primary suite and a hallway bathroom. With this being a historic home, we left the existing windows in place as well as the trim and baseboards. We kept and refinished the existing stairway railing. The primary bathroom was moved to be more user friendly. We made cosmetic upgrades throughout the home for a cohesive look that matches the homeowner’s style which was transitional with industrial elements.

Shiplap planks and the gray-washed Keswick oak finish with wire brushing is not only the perfect complement to this lakeside look, but it is also a very user-friendly finish from the standpoint of cleanability.

Jacky Surber This garden is only a year old! Thanks to quarterly applications of compost tea it is really thriving. Healthy soil makes for healthy plants and a lush look soon after planting. Bright orange kalanchoe 'Flap jacks' and aloe blossoms contrast with the subtle blues and greens from the surrounding foliage of dymondia ground cover and other succulents.

A collaborative space for entertaining, dining and gathering.
Inspiration for a contemporary dark wood floor great room remodel in Seattle with white walls, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround

Inspiration for a transitional living room remodel in San Francisco

The original kitchen was confined within four walls and our clients were eager to create a more open floor plan to provide more social interaction between the home chef (mom) and the 4 men in her life. By removing walls and borrowing a few extra square feet from the adjacent laundry room we were able to incorporate a 48” refrigerator and range, extra storage, a central island, increased workspaces and banquette seating into this modestly sized kitchen. This project was designed to provide both high function and high style while optimizing the influx of natural light from the enlarged kitchen windows. We maximized the space and created an open floor plan that improved traffic flow between the adjacent rooms. The custom cabinetry, stainless hood, shelves, and the professional faucet gives this rather traditional white kitchen a more modern design sensibility. Photo Credit: Bethany Nauert

Inspiration for a transitional single-wall medium tone wood floor and brown floor wet bar remodel in Boston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, wood countertops, white backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash and brown countertops

The homeowners of this beautiful McLean residence were interested in a kitchen renovation that would combine their love of contemporary design with a user-friendly “cook’s kitchen.” Also included in the remodeling project was an update to the powder room adjacent to the kitchen. © Bob Narod Photography and BOWA

The goal of the project was to create a more functional kitchen, but to remodel with an eco-friendly approach. To minimize the waste going into the landfill, all the old cabinetry and appliances were donated, and the kitchen floor was kept intact because it was in great condition. The challenge was to design the kitchen around the existing floor and the natural soapstone the client fell in love with. The clients continued with the sustainable theme throughout the room with the new materials chosen: The back splash tiles are eco-friendly and hand-made in the USA.. The custom range hood was a beautiful addition to the kitchen. We maximized the counter space around the custom sink by extending the integral drain board above the dishwasher to create more prep space. In the adjacent laundry room, we continued the same color scheme to create a custom wall of cabinets to incorporate a hidden laundry shoot, and dog area. We also added storage around the washer and dryer including two different types of hanging for drying purposes.

Custom bookshelves. Don Freeman Studio photography.
Living room library - mid-sized traditional dark wood floor living room library idea in New York with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Diffrient World is Humanscale's first foray into all-mesh task seating. Designer Niels Diffrient wanted to create the most minimal, full-function task chair ever made. With an innovative tri-panel mesh backrest that provides custom back and lumbar support and a lightweight design, Diffrient World is, like all of Humanscale’s products, simple, beautiful and functional. The design eliminates the need for traditional mechanisms, instead using the laws of physics and the sitter’s body weight to offer perfect recline for each individual sitter. Diffrient World offers the ultimate user-friendly sitting experience. Float is a revolutionary standing office desk that brings effortless operation to traditional sit-stand products. Ease of use is at the heart of Float, as it seamlessly adjusts between sitting and standing postures without interrupting workflow. With a minimal aesthetic, Float complements traditional offices and home workspaces. Using a patented counterbalance mechanism that replaces older technology, Float encourages an active workspace by allowing the user to move effortlessly from sit to stand positions. Float is also available in an electric option.

Who needs a two-car garage, when you can have a "carbana"!?! This formerly unused garage has been converted to a very user friendly cabana-playroom-gameroom, and all around amazing hang-out space!

Mid-sized transitional gray floor home yoga studio photo in Denver with gray walls