This beautiful North Vancouver home belongs to a nature-loving and health-conscious couple, Emma and Vince (names changed), their two young children, and their dog, Jasper. When they contacted us about renovating and furnishing their kitchen and family room, we walked in and saw a world of potential waiting to be uncovered. Before: Larkhall Crescent Home: Like many original North Vancouver homes, the interior was definitely dated. We encountered late ‘80s finishes in powder pink and teal green, old carpet, and a kitchen that wasn’t maximized to suit this family’s modern-day lifestyle. However, the size of the rooms offered us a ton of space with which to get creative. Knowing our clients’ love of cooking, need for work spaces (Emma and Vince both work remotely), and growing family, we developed a design concept that would increase usable space, optimize storage, and create intimacy in this large area. As for the style, we were inspired by their European roots, inventing a new and modern take on “Belgian Farmhouse” style. Now, the home is truly one-of-a-kind. After: Warm & Cozy Family Room: Fresh, bright, and comfortable, this living area has been transformed! We started with the fireplace as a focal point, selecting aged brick tiles for added texture and a crisp wood mantle. The taupe-coloured sectional infuses the room with visual warmth and serves the added purpose of separating the family room from the kitchen. Emma and Vince were also keen on using non-toxic materials in their home, and we were happy to oblige. To meet their needs, we sourced natural wood elements and sought out Canadian-made products - that adhere to high health standards - whenever possible. Look closer at the elements of this space, and you will find this stunning, honeycomb-patterned rug in earthy gold, beige, and charcoal tones. It’s plush to the touch and full of visual texture that brings this room’s colour palette together. We sourced these two-tone chairs with caning, petrified wood side table, black sconces, and botanical prints in greyscale from local artist, Heather Johnston. We topped off the space with this dark wood and rattan console that offers storage facing the kitchen and presents an opportunity to display cherished items. The result is a cozy lounging space brimming with comfort and functionality. It’s perfect for enjoying quality family time, or Emma can simply slide the coffee table away to make room for her morning yoga practice. Now, let’s turn around and give some attention to the kitchen. Do you remember what the original kitchen looked like? If not, scroll back up, because the transformation is shocking… Moody & Welcoming Kitchen for Healthy Living: This kitchen looks very different from how it started, right? Though we didn’t touch any walls, the kitchen has almost doubled in usable space! We created a long, extended island with storage, an outlet for small appliances, and seating for comfortable prep, after-school snacking, or mingling among friends. On the other side of the island, the family has even more storage and an integrated dishwasher within easy reach of the sink, perfect for quick clean-up. From this angle, you can also see the expansive custom Shaker cabinetry in white and the integrated double ovens. These facilitate their cooking experience and gave us the opportunity to add an additional surprise… A coffee garage station and more hidden storage! Keeping these items located along the perimeter allows them to be accessed by the family or their guests without someone getting under the cook’s feet. These are the little details that make everyday life easier and more enjoyable. Moving deeper into the kitchen, the seamless induction cooktop topped with a freestanding concealed hood fan commands attention in a soft yet prominent way. The natural wood accent mirrors the fireplace mantle, and the choice of off-black wood-grain cabinets not only continues our black-and-white colour palette but adds a sense of depth and contrast. The corner sink is located to the right and perfectly positioned with a view of their thriving backyard. To invite more of this family’s character into the space, we mixed metals for interest — matte black, dark pewter, and warm brass — and created open shelves in white oak for their plants and decor. You can also glimpse the tumbled edge of the backsplash tile, which echoes the rustic brick of the fireplace. It adds that farmhouse charm while still feeling timeless and sophisticated. Last but not least, we designed this dining banquette in the bay window (with integrated bench storage, of course), where the family can share a meal together, the kids can do homework, or Emma and Vince can work and enjoy a change of scenery from their offices. Like the other spaces in the home, it was designed to be beautiful, multi-functional, and long-lasting. Praise from Our Clients: It is clear that we love this home, but what did our clients have to say? “Lori is a visionary and masters execution to the finest detail all at the same time. When she first met us to know more about who we are and how we live, she could right away envision how we could use the space in our kitchen and living room…The results exceeded our expectations. Lori and her team were also a delight to work with — coordination with all the trades, fast problem-solving, regular updates, professional and friendly attitude of her entire team — made it the dream team. Thank you SHD for making our space so beautiful!” In turn, we are so grateful for this family’s trust, their open communication, and for being wonderful people with whom to work. (So, thank you!)

Upscale office/den
Inspiration for a transitional home office remodel in Milwaukee

A striking porcelain tile wall with dramatic gray veining sets the tone in this modern guest bathroom. Vertical mosaic accents and a sleek built-in niche provide visual interest and functional detail in the spacious walk-in shower. The charcoal gray vanity is topped with a crisp white quartz counter, paired with modern chrome fixtures. Simple styling—like the tall blue vase, wooden soap pump, and delicate floral wall art—adds warmth without clutter. Matte black window trim and shower rod balance the clean aesthetic with bold contrast, resulting in a spa-like retreat that’s as beautiful as it is functional.

This kitchen renovation celebrates the warmth of natural materials through a restrained and timeless palette. Rich walnut cabinetry establishes a strong architectural presence, while full-height quartz surfaces with dramatic veining wrap the backsplash and waterfall island, creating a seamless composition of wood and stone. Designed with both functionality and simplicity in mind, integrated appliances, concealed storage, and clean-lined detailing maintain a refined aesthetic free of visual clutter. The sculptural island serves as both a focal point and gathering space, balancing the warmth of the walnut millwork with the expressive character of the stone. Natural light filters through mature trees beyond the windows, softening the interior and strengthening the home's connection to its surroundings. The result is a sophisticated kitchen that combines craftsmanship, durability, and understated luxury for everyday living.

This home’s small kitchen desperately needed mud room storage, as the detached garage is outside the back door. The design was carefully planned along with all storage needs and we were able to add a wide, double door cabinet closet by the back door. The upper area holds coats and clutter. The lower doors have hooks and boot trays for backpacks and shoes. Paneling the Subzero fridge and the dishwasher not only conceals these appliances but also helps with softening the weight. A few details on the kitchen including the skirt on the toe, the clean lines on the wood hood and the posts on the island make this kitchen a special place for this family of four!

THE SETUP Sam’s client had lived in her downtown townhome home for less than a year when she decided to remodel the spacious second level. This open area consisted of three sections: a TV and fireplace zone, a sparsely furnished dining area, and a dominant central kitchen. The kitchen featured a long back wall with three segmented sections and a massive island housing the cooktop. She found the kitchen’s functionality lacking and its presence overwhelming – it dominated the entire floor, regardless of where you stood. Design objectives: - Reconfigure key kitchen elements (sink, cooktop, oven) while minimizing the kitchen’s visual impact - Optimize the kitchen’s back wall, eliminating existing dead space - Create a purposeful, well-defined dining area - Establish a distinct, comfortable living area - Reuse existing appliances and flooring - Maintain an overall modern design aesthetic THE REMODEL Design challenges to be solved: - Redesign the island to reduce its overwhelming presence - Create a comfortable, dedicated living room within the available space - Establish a distinct, inviting dining area within spatial constraints - Enhance kitchen functionality and style without dominating the entire floor THE RENEWED SPACE Design solutions: - Sam created raised end caps for the island. This separated the kitchen from adjacent living and dining areas while focusing the kitchen’s functionality. The new sink location offers ample workspace, allowing the cook to interact with guests seated at the island. The redesigned island also provides additional storage. - For the living area, Sam opted for a functional-yet-minimalist approach. Large-format tile creates a natural stone look for the fireplace and TV wall. The recessed TV and extended fireplace shelf maintain a sleek profile. - Artistic wallpaper adds depth and texture, while the intentional lack of extensive shelving keeps the space open and distinct. - Sam transformed the dining area’s blank wall into a feature, adding a unique dry bar with counter space, open shelves, cabinet storage and a beverage fridge. - - - Wallpaper behind and above the bar contributes to the area’s personality. A mirror adds depth while pendant lights add style and visual interest. Relocating the cooktop to the back wall facilitates hidden ventilation, reducing visual clutter. Sam balanced transitional and modern elements for a contemporary yet comfortable feel. The digital control panel on the convection cooktop maintains a sleek look, while the wall oven is now at an easy-to-use height. ----- Mirrored base cabinet fronts and a paneled fridge prevent cabinetry monotony. The redesign has delighted Sam’s client, achieving her main goal of creating a more inviting and visually appealing space. Each section now has its own visual personality and functionality while harmonizing within a monochromatic palette. The entire floor offers wow-factor pop upon first glance, with each area maintaining its distinct character while contributing to a cohesive, modern aesthetic.

This transformed primary bedroom feels dramatically different from before, combining comfort, luxury finishes, and refined interior design details. Floor-to-ceiling custom silk draperies behind the upholstered bed create visual drama and emphasize the room’s impressive ceiling height. The original color palette was preserved while introducing new furnishings, including sleek glamorous nightstands, a matching triple dresser, a menswear-inspired herringbone settee, and a muted abstract patterned area rug. Design: Carol Lombardo Weil Photo: Alain Jaramillo

Outstanding attention to details and meticulous space planning characterize the design of this 2018 remodeled contemporary home in Huntington Woods. The open, free flowing floor plan invites views throughout the space for a spacious feeling. Raised ceilings with lighted perimeter details add volume as well as visual interest and warm ambient light. Thoughtful storage applications hide clutter out of sight, while a custom built in walnut buffet with backlit floating shelves in the dining room and an open wine bar in the kitchen display just the right items for elegant entertaining. Minimal interior wall divisions coupled with large picture windows ensure light and air flow unencumbered throughout the joined spaces. A 90-degree flat turn staircase and impressive fireplace surround provide natural architectural focal points, while framed oversized historical posters from the 1920s steal the show with their bold shots of color and personality. Exterior details include modern updates that pay homage to the home's mid-century roots, such as the oversized Roman brick that has been custom color matched to the shiplap siding. Richly stained wood tongue and groove soffits complement the mahogany entry door. Natural bluestone graces the welcoming front porch. A metal and frosted glass garage door coordinates with a black metal standing seam roof topping off the façade.

Adding storage to a tiny bathroom is one of the best ways to hide clutter. It also creates a visually larger, more expansive bathroom. This bathroom vanity features smart drawers and shelving that make use of every square inch in the cabinet. Nothing brightens and expands a small space better than a mirror. This vanity set includes a mirror to add style and also create a bigger bathroom effect. The single/double sink elegant bathroom vanity set has ample storage capacity and high-cost performance which fits perfectly with any bathroom decor. Features: Soft-closing doors and drawers prevent slamming Full-width storage shelf, ideal for towels and accessories Rectangular and practical white ceramic vessel sink Dove-Tailed Drawers Brushed nickel handles/hardware Constructed of high-quality oak wood Rich and durable finish Dripless edge profile

The kitchen in this custom home by H2D Architecture + Design blends refined detailing with everyday functionality. A large central island anchors the space, offering generous room for meal preparation, casual dining, and gathering. White stainless appliances provide a sleek, contemporary touch, complemented by a built-in, panel-ready refrigerator that maintains the kitchen’s seamless aesthetic. The hood, wrapped in matching cabinetry material, creates a cohesive focal point while subtle detailing in the pendants above the island adds warmth and visual interest. Expansive windows overlook the private wooded yard, filling the kitchen with natural light and connecting the heart of the home to its serene surroundings. + Architecture: H2D Architecture + Design + Interior Design: H2D Architecture + Design www.h2darchitects.com + Built by: Rainier Custom Homes + Photography: Anastasiya Homes

The owners came to Klopf Architecture with a clear vision: Create a brighter home with clean lines and visual surprises – but that enhances the Eichler vernacular – that blurs the boundaries between inside and outside and supports “modern living”. Renovating a 1962 Eichler home into a contemporary, higher-quality home required more than a few changes. However, love of the Eichler style and respect for the house's history required keeping many elements. Klopf Architecture partnered with the owners of this Eichler home in San Francisco's Diamond Heights to balance these two competing desires while significantly updating their 2-story courtyard home on a hill. Appropriate to the style of the house, the owners have a clean, minimal aesthetic – free of clutter but filled with carefully placed art and whimsical collectibles. With white walls, warm mahogany and rich grays throughout, the home is bathed in light and feels both elegant and welcoming. Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf, AIA, Jackie Detamore, AIA, Klara Kevane, and Yegvenia Torres-Zavala Landscape Architect: Outer Space Landscape Architects Contractor: San Francisco Design and Construction Cabinetry: Benchmarc Woodworking Zinc Panels: Product and Design Metalwork Photography ©2015 Mariko Reed

Where Modern Serenity Meets Sculptural Design Designed by HENNE CREATIVE Nestled along the tranquil shoreline of Malibu, this private residence completed in 2025 is a testament to the harmony between contemporary architecture and coastal calm. Designed by HENNE CREATIVE, the space offers a deeply intentional experience that celebrates stillness, light, and form. The open plan layout embraces clarity and cohesion, allowing natural light to flow freely throughout. Every detail is curated to reflect quiet sophistication: soft geometries, a neutral color palette, and tactile materials work in seamless concert. From floor to ceiling, natural stone textures and warm wood tones build a calm visual rhythm across the space. The living area features a sculptural modular sofa that invites conversation while anchoring the spatial narrative. Behind it, a floating staircase highlighted by integrated linear lighting becomes an architectural statement, elegantly connecting levels without visual clutter. The kitchen and dining space are understated yet refined. Handleless cabinetry blends into the background, while the island serves as a clean centerpiece. A custom dining chair with textured upholstery offers a subtle sculptural moment at the table one of the project’s signature design notes. Design Language: Minimalist, tactile, and serene with a focus on volume, light, and material honesty. Material Palette: Travertine inspired surfaces, natural oak, boucle and linen textiles. Lighting: Embedded linear LEDs and minimalist pendant lighting accentuate the architecture without overwhelming it. This home is not merely a living space; it’s a spatial philosophy an invitation to slow down, to live intentionally, and to feel grounded in simplicity. At HENNE CREATIVE, we design spaces to be felt, not just seen and Malibu House is one of our purest expressions of that vision.

This client prefers a minimal approach, which we accommodated by providing reduced visual clutter with strategically placed wall art and large furnishings to fill the space. This includes the sculptural pieces styled in the custom-built bookcases. This 9ft tall custom feature was then styled in pieces that aligned with the client’s aesthetic. Due to our client’s hindrances in physical capabilities with his hands, we changed out many of the window blinds to cordless and easy pull-downs as well as replaced tassels for ease of function and reach. The double-height ceilings in this space pose a challenge when it comes to accessing the upper windows. To address this issue, we have installed automated shades for our client. These shades not only filter light to protect our client's delicate skin but also provide a practical solution for controlling the lighting in this newly renovated area.

The perfect balance between present and future. The Filoantis kitchen reinterprets the archetype of the traditional kitchen in a very modern key. Not by chance is enriched with prestigious and eco-friendly materials, the National Walnut Wood, Rovere materia and Ecomalta in many shades. Different finishes, all deeply researched, which can live separately or combined in order to give birth to elegant visual effects.

Our clients wanted to incorporate an East Coast vibe into their home. The kitchen had a great layout, but a wilted palette of earth tones looked outdated and uninspired. With a busy lifestyle and two kids in school, the couple needed a highly functional space that didn't skimp on style. Their research of design-build firms led them to the JRP website, and they called for a consultation the same day. After years of living with dark cabinets and a mix of heavy colors, the couple craved lightness. They wanted an airy kitchen with smooth, light-reflecting surfaces and a full-slab backsplash. A plan was drawn up for a complete rebuild that would change everything in the kitchen except the layout and the original tile-and-wood floors. Now bright and uncluttered, this transitional kitchen is truly a space where the family can gather for years to come. Every part of the room draws you in, creating an atmosphere that embraces lingering conversations. The holistic design balances East Coast cool with California chic. Layers of contrasting textures achieve a high level of polish that looks and feels exceptional. The full-slab backsplash in Calacatta quartz stands out as a work of art, its glossy surface softly reflecting natural light. Matching quartz countertops add lustrous movement, where painted and natural wood textures quietly anchor the room. New, two-tone cabinetry is fresh and on-trend. A stunning linear chandelier in bronze evokes classical warmth. Where a built-in desk once collected clutter, stacked shaker cabinets now incorporate storage and visual interest. Integrated appliances, beautifully concealed behind DeWils cabinetry, hint at minimalist sophistication. Cabinets (Manufacturer, Door Style, Material, Color/Stain or Finish) - KITCHEN PERIMETER & PANTRY: DeWils, Sheffield, Maple, Limestone - KITCHEN ISLAND: DeWils, Sheffield, Walnut, Nutmeg Countertops (Material Type - Manufacturer, Collection, Color) - Quartz – Vadara, Paris Collection, Calacatta Blanco Light Fixture (Type - Manufacturer, Collection, Color) - Chandelier - Visual Comfort & Co, Darlana Large Linear Lantern Plumbing Fixture (Type - Manufacturer, Color) - Faucet – Grohe, Antique Bronze Sink (Type – Manufacturer, Material) - Undermount - Kohler, Cast Iron Hardware (Type – Manufacturer, Color) - Cabinet Pulls - Top Knobs, Oil Rubbed Bronze - Cabinet Knobs - Top Knobs, Oil Rubbed Bronze Color of wall: - Dunn Edwards Bone China Photographer: J.R. Maddox

M.Romney Photography
Open concept kitchen - small contemporary single-wall light wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen idea in Seattle with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, blue backsplash, ceramic backsplash, white appliances, no island and gray countertops

Old world charm and masterful craftsmanship are combined in this truly beautiful line. White or off-white kitchen cabinets like antique white can create everything from a country to contemporary style kitchen cabinets. Sometimes just matching the decor of the rest of your home is the main concern. This makes things easier you just select a complimentary finish, stain and door style for your kitchen cabinets. PRODUCT DETAILS All Wood Maple Regular Overlay Solid wood door frame with high-density enginerred wood Raised Panel w/Applied Molding & Light Brown Glaze Dovetailed 3/4" solid Drawer with Soft-Closing Under Mount Drawer Guides 3/4" Plywood Edge Front Banded Shelves Matching Interior Mullion Doors For Display Cabinets

This home’s small kitchen desperately needed mud room storage, as the detached garage is outside the back door. The design was carefully planned along with all storage needs and we were able to add a wide, double door cabinet closet by the back door. The upper area holds coats and clutter. The lower doors have hooks and boot trays for backpacks and shoes. Paneling the Subzero fridge and the dishwasher not only conceals these appliances but also helps with softening the weight. A few details on the kitchen including the skirt on the toe, the clean lines on the wood hood and the posts on the island make this kitchen a special place for this family of four!