Search results for "Visually expanded" in Home Design Ideas

Off to the side of the pool, the sitting and entertaining area was expanded to give ample room for large groups. A sitting wall wraps the outside edge of the setting. Credit: Tad Anderson. All rights exclusively reserved.

Casual yet elegant, the Etra Collection by Modern Outdoor offers a modern aesthetic that is constructed for outdoor use while being suitable for indoor settings. Etra’s visual inspiration is derived from its architectural-based frame system. Designed using structural angle steel that is mitered and ground, a clean and seamless surface gives Etra its pure appeal.
Frame Options:
• 304 stainless steel that is brushed and electropolished
• marine-grade 316 stainless steel that is brushed and electropolished for use within one mile of salt air, available for an upcharge
• powder coated carbon steel in our standard silver finish
• custom powder coat colors, available for an upcharge
Surface Options:
• sustainably harvested ipe – a beautiful South American hardwood that is three times as dense as teak — naturally resistant to rot, insects, UV exposure, ice, salt, abrasion and splintering – all without the need for toxic chemicals — considered a 25+ year wood
• marine-grade polyboard – a UV stabilized high-density polyethylene material that is non-corrosive and chip resistant – available in six colors for expanded design choices
Fabric Options:
• six standard colors of 100% solution dyed acrylic treated for outdoor use are offered
• custom fabrics and COM service are also available
Cushion Options:
• our standard foam cushions are made from outdoor appropriate high-resiliency (HR) foam
• for clients that prefer less maintenance, a flow-through foam that allows water and moisture to escape the cushion is also available for an upcharge
Etra is a full-breadth line with dining, bar height, lounge, cafe, patio and pool setting pieces included. The pieces are readily customizable for individual client needs.
Find the right local pro for your project

Our returning clients, middle-aged professionals, reached out to us to remodel their bathrooms as they transition from raising children to focusing on their own comfort and living space. They asked us to modernize their ensuite and shared bathroom, both of which had become outdated and impractical for their current needs.
In the ensuite bathroom, we removed a partition wall to redesign and expand the shower and toilet areas, creating a spacious open-concept layout. We added custom cabinetry with pull-out pantries, finished in a bright paint, and a large linear perimeter for ample storage and countertop space. The countertops and backsplash feature dusk veining, paired with brushed nickel sinks, faucets, and cabinet hardware, giving the space a contemporary yet timeless update. A new curbless glass enclosure adds a striking focal point, while the removal of an underused angled jetted tub creates space for an elegant freestanding tub.
In the shared bathroom, we replaced the tub with a modern curbed shower and enhanced the aesthetic with large, colorful porcelain floor tiles that tie together the artistic essence of the home.
The result is a significantly more functional and visually appealing space that reflects our clients' unique style and needs.

Our returning clients, middle-aged professionals, reached out to us to remodel their bathrooms as they transition from raising children to focusing on their own comfort and living space. They asked us to modernize their ensuite and shared bathroom, both of which had become outdated and impractical for their current needs.
In the ensuite bathroom, we removed a partition wall to redesign and expand the shower and toilet areas, creating a spacious open-concept layout. We added custom cabinetry with pull-out pantries, finished in a bright paint, and a large linear perimeter for ample storage and countertop space. The countertops and backsplash feature dusk veining, paired with brushed nickel sinks, faucets, and cabinet hardware, giving the space a contemporary yet timeless update. A new curbless glass enclosure adds a striking focal point, while the removal of an underused angled jetted tub creates space for an elegant freestanding tub.
In the shared bathroom, we replaced the tub with a modern curbed shower and enhanced the aesthetic with large, colorful porcelain floor tiles that tie together the artistic essence of the home.
The result is a significantly more functional and visually appealing space that reflects our clients' unique style and needs.

Custom wraparound deck designed to expand the outdoor living space and create multiple functional areas for seating and entertainment.
This project features a multi-level layout with integrated railing and clean transitions between spaces, built to match the home's architecture and maximize backyard usability.
Constructed using durable, low-maintenance materials and designed for long-term performance, this deck provides a comfortable and visually cohesive outdoor environment.
Serving Northern Virginia including Loudoun, Fairfax, and Prince William County.

The Master Bathroom feels more luxurious after we expanded the vanity space and visually lengthened the room with the installation of a glass shower enclosure.

Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Snider & Metcalf Interior Design, LTD
Leading Interior Designers in Columbus, Ohio & Ponte Vedra, Florida

The compact plan and proximity to downtown Mill Valley were important considerations when purchasing the property. The client chose not to expand the home, instead retaining a subtle understated charm. Richardson Pribuss Architects were entrusted to update and enhance the cabin-like qualities, opening it up visually to the forest and creek setting.

This paving and planting scheme features new hard landscaping elements and a new planting scheme. Artscape was initially briefed to extend and enhance the patio in the garden of a lovely home in the village of Cookham Dean in Berkshire. Our clients wanted to increase the size of the paved area so they could use it more frequently for relaxing and dining in the sun during the day. As well as increasing its size and practicality, they wanted the terrace to look and feel more inviting. The existing site was a mixture of brick paving, which was slippery underfoot, and tired concrete crazy paving. The patio also had stone retaining walls surrounded by sloped lawns and a few poorly maintained and mismatched shrubs.
Redesigned and repaved area
We first created a new, larger layout with a series of wider steps closer to the house, making a more inviting and welcoming area. Our landscapers paved the area with coursed sandstone, renowned for its incredible strength and durability. The earthy tones and unique texture of the sandstone gives it a natural timeless look which blends sympathetically with the garden setting. The worn finish of the paving also makes the surface safer to walk on. The edge of the paving curves in line from the end of the house to visually link the areas.
Bullnosed edges enhance looks and safety
Bullnosing provides the garden step edges with a smooth, luxury appearance, which also enhance safety. Safety is an important factor to consider when renovating or building new steps and paved areas. Smooth, rounded bullnosed steps or edges means there won’t be any harshly cut, sharp edges to injure someone should they trip or fall. Our Artscape paving experts can advise on the best bespoke, professionally profiled bullnose edges to suit the needs of your garden project.
Replacing sloped lawns with plants
Our initial brief was to create a new planted border just around the paved area. However, after various discussions and designs, our clients decided to follow our recommendation to expand the planting, so it included the whole sloping bank. The planting design also included the addition of small trees to create vertical interest.
New nature-friendly planting
The planting features an easy-to-maintain mix of perennials, grasses, and shrubs. This adds softness to the seating area and brings an everchanging display of flowers, foliage, textures and colours to the garden. The plants will attract more birds and butterflies to the garden, and will be beneficial for insects too.
The lawn was doing very little to support a diversity of insects and birds. Replacing even a small section of lawn with perennial flowers, shrubs, grasses, wildflowers, or groundcovers will benefit nature and wildlife. As well as supporting greater biodiversity, plants are more environmentally friendly than maintaining a lawn. Lawns are drought tolerant and will recover even if the grass has turned brown and patchy in a heatwave. But to keep the lawn looking lush, green, and beautiful in a hot, dry spell will require constant and wasteful watering.
The planting is informal and includes grasses, taking inspiration from the fields opposite. Ornamental grasses soften the scheme and bring movement to the garden as they shimmer in the slightest of breezes. Grasses are easy to grow and require little ongoing care. The main maintenance task is to cut the planting back in spring ready for the new growth to come through.
To keep the whole project within our client’s budget, we retained the existing walls, simply carrying out some small repairs and modifications where necessary. We were also able to add stunning new atmospheric lighting to the older existing lighting circuit to illuminate the area at night.

The goal for this 1939 Tudor-style story-and-a-half home was to create a kitchen that offered the conveniences, storage, and performance of a modern workspace while preserving the warmth, craftsmanship, and vintage charm that made the home special. The client, an avid home cook, wanted the room to feel as though it had always belonged to the house, with thoughtful upgrades that respected the original architecture rather than competing with it. Just as important, she needed a more efficient layout with enough storage for small appliances, so everyday cooking would no longer require carrying items up from the lower level.
Several existing conditions shaped the design approach. The kitchen retained original, amber-stained birch woodwork that the client wished to keep, and the compact footprint was interrupted by six doorways and two windows, none of which were to be moved, altered, or replaced. A previous flooring update had left the door casings undercut too short, creating visible gaps where the casing met the floor. The existing vintage 40-inch range also lacked proper ventilation, yet the client wished to accommodate a refrigerator, dishwasher, cooktop, double ovens, built-in microwave, and effective venting above the cooktop into the new kitchen layout.
To honor the original millwork, beaded inset-style cherry cabinetry was selected in a soft, hand-rubbed finish that will deepen over time and develop a natural patina. Charcoal-gray soapstone countertops complement the cabinetry while reinforcing the historic character of the home with an organic, timeworn texture. The former breakfast nook was transformed into a butler’s pantry, adding valuable base cabinet storage and expanded work surfaces for frequently used small appliances. Also in the butler’s pantry, a single upper cabinet was paired with open shelves to give an open, airy feeling while adding character and practical storage. A classic single-bowl apron-front workstation sink contributes both period-appropriate character and practical prep and cleanup function.
Because the home’s openings were such a defining feature, the design worked within the existing architecture instead of altering it. Custom plinth blocks were created for each doorway to extend the original casing gracefully down to the new natural red oak flooring, resolving the earlier construction issue while adding a detail that feels authentic to the age of the house. Despite the number of door and window openings, the new layout provides a significantly more functional, built-in kitchen with an improved work triangle for serious cooking.
Appliance placement was carefully planned to deliver the requested performance without overwhelming the small room. Three cooking functions (double ovens & microwave) were consolidated into one location with a GE Café double oven featuring Advantium Technology, while the client’s compact 31-inch refrigerator was reused to preserve space. A sleek 30-inch induction cooktop provides efficient cooking, and a Vent-A-Hood ARS ductless vent hood supplies needed ventilation without requiring a duct run to the exterior.
The finish palette balances richness, texture, and historical sensitivity. A deeply textured navy backsplash tile adds depth and dramatic shadow play against the soapstone, while wallpaper in the back entry echoes the tile’s geometric pattern to visually connect the adjoining spaces. Oil-rubbed bronze cabinet hardware and light fixtures enhance the warmth of the cherry cabinetry and complete the antique-inspired feel.
Lighting was layered to make the compact kitchen brighter, more useful, and more inviting. Vintage-style semi-flush ceiling fixtures establish the overall tone, while dimmable puck lights highlight select areas and undercabinet task lighting keeps work surfaces well illuminated.
The completed kitchen now feels both highly functional and deeply rooted in the home’s history. Rich cherry cabinetry, velvety soapstone, natural red oak flooring, navy tile, bronze accents, and carefully preserved birch trim work together to create a warm, cohesive space that celebrates timeless craftsmanship. By increasing storage, improving workflow, integrating modern appliances, and respecting the Tudor home’s original character, the design achieves the client’s vision: a kitchen that feels personal, practical, historically appropriate, and as though it has always been there.

"Before anybody had done anything, USI had done everything".
This master bathroom remodel is a refined showcase of modern luxury blended with natural warmth. The design features a low-curb, walk-in shower—barely visible but subtly reflected in the oversized wall mirror—contributing to an open, seamless layout that’s both accessible and aesthetically minimal.
The floating vanity is a highlight of the space, crafted from richly grained wood that introduces an organic warmth. Its clean lines and sleek brushed nickel hardware lend a sophisticated, contemporary feel. Topped with a waterfall-edge marble countertop, the vanity effortlessly combines natural beauty with modern elegance.
Full-wall mirrors expand the room visually and enhance light distribution, while integrated vertical LED lighting provides practical illumination with a touch of drama. The large-format marble tile flooring complements the countertop and adds a cohesive sense of understated luxury.
A freestanding soaking tub, paired with a minimalist wooden bath tray, adds a spa-like element—perfect for unwinding. The subtle neutral palette, soft lighting, and clean architectural lines give this bathroom a serene, inviting atmosphere.
This remodel successfully balances form and function, making it ideal for both everyday use and indulgent relaxation.

This small bathroom remodel in Los Angeles was designed to improve functionality, increase storage, and create a clean modern look within a compact space.
The original layout felt tight and lacked usable storage. We installed a floating wood vanity to open up the floor area and create a more spacious feel. A mirrored cabinet and built-in wall niche were added to keep daily items organized without cluttering the space.
The shower was upgraded with a glass enclosure to remove visual barriers and allow more natural light to flow through the bathroom. Tile selection focused on durability and slip resistance while maintaining a clean, modern finish.
Scope of work included demolition, tile installation, vanity installation, plumbing fixtures, and glass shower installation. All work was completed following Los Angeles building standards.
This project is a strong example of a small bathroom remodel in Los Angeles where smart design and proper execution can significantly improve both function and appearance without expanding the layout.

Founded in 1975 by Gianni Tonin, the Italian modern furniture company Tonin Casa has long been viewed by European designers as one of the best interior design firms in the business, but it is only within the last five years that the company expanded their market outside Italy. As an authorized dealer of Tonin Casa contemporary furnishings, room service 360° is able to offer an extensive line of Tonin Casa designs.
Tonin Casa furniture features a wide range of distinctive styles to ensure the right selection for any contemporary home. The room service 360° collection includes a broad array of chairs, nightstands, consoles, television stands, dining tables, coffee tables and mirrors. Quality materials, including an extensive use of tempered glass, mark Tonin Casa furnishings with style and sophistication.
Tonin Casa modern furniture combines style and function by merging modern technology with the Italian tradition of innovative style and quality craftsmanship. Each piece complements homes styled in the modern style, yet each piece offers visual style on its own as well, with imaginative designs that are sure to add a note of distinction to any contemporary home.

A classic marble white and marble motif play beautifully off the weathered engineered wood flooring in the guest bathroom renovation. A walk in shower replaced the unused tub, and the frameless glass shower door and tiled wainscoting make this small space seem much larger than its footprint. A wall hung toilet and toe kick lighting expands the floor visually, allowing for the small tiled in window to truly brighten this small space. Marble countertops compliment the marbled sculpted large format Porcelanosa wall tile, and satin nickel fixtures pop against the white background. Truly a retreat!

Slab style doors in shades of gray lend drama to this landscape architecture professor/artist’s kitchen. Special heights and depths culminate in a top alignment that defines a visual upper plane extending from the kitchen to the great room (at the tops of the windows and doors) creating a unified interior horizon. On a more prosaic front, the upper cabinets were held somewhat low to be easier to reach for a shortish cook. Differing cabinet depths allow for a structural post to be integrated through the island cabinetry; the oven cabinet is held forward to align with a full depth refrigerator; and depth was added at the washer/dryer surround for needed ventilation. Also, the base cabinets were pulled forward for deeper counters to accommodate several small appliances and still allow for work area. In addition, the client wanted a built-in shelf unit to blend with existing rough hewn paneling in which to display objets d’art.
An organically shaped island breaks with tradition and softens the otherwise linear nature of the room. A unique sweeping curve expands and defines the bar seating -- the wall beneath is lined with an accent stripe of cork (same materials as in the flooring) to act as a shoe-scuff deterrent for the wall. A small but significant detail - the upper doors and side of the tall microwave cabinet had to be finished Silvermist (light) while the interior, edge banding and bottom drawerhead needed to be finished in the darker Slate to continue the color theme of the kitchen. Integrated lighting was also a mandatory component of this kitchen - indirect top, bottom, picture and toe lights can all be adjusted myriad ways; and we can’t forget the very unique undulating pendant lighting at the island.

2011 CHRYSALIS AWARD WINNER, ADDITION $100,000-$250,000
The owners of this small rambler in Arlington were tired of living in cramped quarters. The home’s kitchen was only 8’ x 11’ and they wanted to add a family room. Because the home is built on a slab, with no basement, the decision was made to expand out into the backyard.
Their contractor, Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes, proposed an addition to back of the home, which would also be built on a slab to match the existing elevation. To make room, they had to remove the home’s original patio and then remove the 30’ wall running across the back of the home.
In their place, a new 16’x32’ addition was built with high cathedral ceilings, skylights and French doors topped with arched transoms. An archway and decorative columns were put in place to connect the old and new areas.
The new kitchen starts in the old kitchen area and wraps its way into the new addition, ending with a large two-tier island and prep sink topped with exotic granite. The main sink is in the corner of the old kitchen, easily accessible from both ends of the work area.
Beautiful custom-made cabinets include a wooden range hood and floor-to-ceiling pantry with wine rack. Stainless steel Energy Star appliances include a professional-quality gas cooktop and double wall ovens.
The kitchen flows into the new family room via an open concept design. A beautiful floor-to-ceiling natural stone fire place located in the middle of the back wall serves as a visual separation for the space. A round window is uniquely embedded in the stone work near the ceiling.
Wide plank oak flooring runs the length of the room, providing a uniform look throughout the space. Opposite the kitchen is the home’s new family room, with comfortable leather seating and plenty of windows to brighten up the space. A new stone patio off the kitchen provides the finishing touch to this remodel. In the end, the project provided the homeowners with the space they wanted and plenty of amenities to make family time or entertaining guests a pleasure.

The original kitchen island was undersized, offering seating for only two and limiting both workspace and entertaining potential. By thoughtfully repositioning the adjacent breakfast area, the renovation created room to significantly enlarge the island, allowing comfortable seating for three while preserving generous traffic flow throughout the kitchen. The expanded island now serves as the functional heart of the home, providing ample space for meal preparation, casual dining, and gathering with family and friends.
To further enhance both storage and entertaining, the wall cabinetry was extended to seamlessly incorporate a dedicated beverage refrigerator and a custom glass-front stemware cabinet. These integrated features create a sophisticated beverage station while keeping crystal stemware beautifully displayed, organized, and conveniently accessible for everyday enjoyment and gracious entertaining.
A custom upholstered dining bench transformed the breakfast nook into one of the most inviting spaces in the home. By maximizing seating without increasing the room's footprint, the banquette offers exceptional comfort for everyday meals, morning coffee, and relaxed family gatherings. It has quickly become the homeowner's favorite place to sit, demonstrating how thoughtful furniture selection can elevate both function and comfort.
The sliding glass doors leading to the outdoor living area were finished with softly textured sheer drapery in a tone that harmonizes with the wall color. These elegant window treatments gently diffuse intense natural sunlight while preserving outdoor views, adding softness, warmth, and visual texture to the kitchen. The sheers enhance the bright, airy atmosphere while contributing to the refined, layered aesthetic that defines this luxury kitchen renovation.

Malibu Glass Box House by Klopf Architecture
Following the devastating Woolsey Fire of 2018, the site in Malibu offered a unique opportunity to rebuild not just a home, but a new architectural composition that highlighted the property’s potential while navigating strict fire-rebuild codes in the area. Designed by Klopf Architecture, this project embraced a set of limitations and translated them into an architectural asset.
The city’s fire-rebuild process required the new structure to remain close to the original footprint, size and bulk, a constraint that ultimately clarified the architectural direction. Perched near the front of a long, narrow lot, the new home frames and overlooks a private, park-like rear expanse, an uncommon luxury especially in this part of Malibu .
Without a fixed program, the design process allowed for a different kind of creative focus allowing Klopf Architecture the opportunity to explore how a modernist home could best respond to this site. The team approached the project not with a list of requirements, but with a question: How might a modernist live here? What spatial qualities would inspire calm, connection, and a sense of wonder in this setting? The process became less about problem-solving and more about architectural storytelling—letting the site, the light, and the principles of modern design guide the form and flow of the home.
The response emerged in the form of a glass-box pavilion, an open, Mid-Century Modern inspired living, dining, and kitchen space that floats at the edge of the property’s natural descent. Connected to the more enclosed, private areas of the home by a glass-walled hallway, the living pavilion becomes a distinct centerpiece of the design. It opens on all four sides to the landscape with decks and patios on the flanks, an internal garden and water feature to the north, and a dramatic unguarded view of the expansive backyard and ocean horizon to the south.
Because of the mandated footprint, careful planning was required to ensure every space could still engage with light, landscape, or both. Strategic voids in the form of atriums and courtyards allow daylight to filter deep into the home’s core, while offering moments of surprise and retreat. These design gestures allow natural light to filter deep into the interior, creating a sense of brightness and openness throughout the day. At the same time, they expand the perceptual boundaries between inside and out, making the home feel more expansive while anchoring its connection to the surrounding landscape.
The siting of the house is what gives it its unique character. Rather than receding into the backyard like the neighboring homes, the house holds a slight prominence. From the central living pavilion, stepping down into the landscape feels more like entering a secluded park where a separate existing accessory structure, trail, and recreational areas await. The home’s modest street presence gives way to this unfolding drama of space, view, and nature.
Fire-resilient materials and assemblies are integrated seamlessly throughout including triple-pane glazing, under-slab and roof insulation, and locally sourced fire-rated cladding ensure the house not only meets Calfornia’s rigorous wildland-urban interface (WUI) standards, but feels effortlessly aligned with them. While technical decisions like fire-hardening and mechanical systems presented some construction challenges, particularly around the cantilevered glass box, the team found a functional compromise that preserved the integrity of the design.
Inside, a restrained palette and exposed post and beam design celebrate the ethos of mid-century modernism. A central circulation spine extends from the entry to the rear glass wall, offering a continuous visual link from street to ocean. Spaces such as the library and office, though more intimate in scale, are never cut off from nature as each opens to its own unique courtyard or garden view.
Though born out of a strict regulatory framework and developed without a specific client, the rebuild design unfolded with remarkable clarity. Grounded in site logic, refined by limitations and an emphasis on timeless spatial relationships – light, proportion, and a strong connection to nature, the resulting design feels both effortless and uplifting. The home lives lightly on the land, opens generously to its surroundings, and strikes a careful balance between privacy, openness, and calm. For Klopf Architecture, it stands as a compelling case study in how site, code, and circumstantial constraints can inspire enduring, modernist architecture. With years of experience reimagining mid-century modern design for how people live today, the firm took the project’s limitations as an opportunity. The result is a home shaped by open, flowing spaces, strong indoor-outdoor connections, and a calm, clear sense of structure. It’s a good reminder that even with strict constraints, there’s still room for architecture to breathe—and for modernism to keep moving forward.
Klopf Architecture project team: Geoff Campen, John Klopf, AIA, and Sherry Tan
Structural Engineer: ZFA
Contractor: Maison D’Artiste
Photography: ©2025 Mariko Reed
Year Completed: 2023

Open-Concept Covered Deck
Designed by Cornerstone Homes, this expansive covered deck creates a seamless extension of the main living area, blending indoor comfort with outdoor living. Oversized accordion-style folding glass doors open the living room almost completely to the deck, visually and functionally expanding the entertaining space and creating the feeling of one continuous indoor-outdoor great room.
The covered deck features a dark-stained wood plank ceiling, recessed lighting, integrated speakers, and an overhead patio heater for added comfort. White horizontal siding provides a crisp modern-farmhouse backdrop, while dark window frames and glass railings continue the home’s strong black-and-white architectural palette. Generous lounge seating transforms the space into a true outdoor living room, ideal for entertaining, relaxing, and enjoying the surrounding views.
With the accordion doors fully opened, the deck and interior living room flow together, effectively doubling the usable gathering space and creating an impressive entertaining experience.

Stretching seamlessly toward the bay, this striking infinity pool anchors a luxurious waterfront escape, where modern architecture and tropical landscape blend in perfect harmony. The pool’s sleek tile edge creates a mirror-like reflection, enhancing its visual connection to the open water beyond. Flanked by crisp white stone decking and geometric turf inlays, the outdoor living space is crafted for both relaxation and upscale entertaining. Elevated lounge chairs invite sun-soaked leisure beside a mosaic-clad fire feature, while shaded seating and a built-in grill station expand the home's alfresco amenities. Architectural columns detailed with soft green panels frame the poolside verandas, adding a distinctive coastal charm to the modern villa’s façade. Designed for seamless indoor-outdoor living, this customized patio and poolscape showcase a refined balance of elegance, functionality, and waterfront luxury.
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