Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional master gray tile and ceramic tile porcelain tile and double-sink freestanding bathtub remodel in Seattle with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops and a built-in vanity

Trendy medium tone wood floor and brown floor bathroom photo in Miami with flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, beige walls, an undermount sink and beige countertops

This is another corner in the family room pictured above. The Saarinen table is a perfect game table for the family to spread puzzles out on or have a cup of coffee in the morning. The green vases and herringbone fabric on the mid-century modern chairs tie into the blue/green color scheme. The fine art on the walls adds a nice pop of yellow. Photo taken by: Michael Partenio

Mid-sized transitional l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen photo in San Diego with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface countertops, gray backsplash, subway tile backsplash, paneled appliances and an island

Example of a beach style bathroom design in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, medium tone wood cabinets, white walls and flat-panel cabinets

© Anthony Crisafulli 2015
Inspiration for a cottage light wood floor dining room remodel in Providence with gray walls

Photo: Michelle Schmauder
Inspiration for an industrial bathroom remodel in DC Metro

Kitchen photo in New York

This master bathroom renovation in Frisco was completed for a repeat USI Design & Remodeling client as part of a larger first-floor transformation of the home. The original bathroom reflected a very typical North Texas layout of its era — dark stained cabinetry, granite countertops, compartmentalized vanities, a built-in tub adjoining a framed shower, and separated spaces that no longer aligned with how the homeowners wanted to live. As their aesthetic evolved toward a more transitional and contemporary direction, the goal became less about replacing finishes and more about redefining the experience of the room itself. The project needed to feel calmer, more architectural, and far more intentional in how the space functioned visually and emotionally. One of the most important changes was removing the original shower curb and pony wall in favor of a fully open curbless shower with ultra-clear ½-inch heavy glass. Achieving that look required recessing the slab, re-floating the shower floor toward a linear drain, and engineering the space so the room would read as visually uninterrupted from end to end. Throughout the project, many of the design decisions were rooted in restraint rather than excess. The oversized 24x48 Porcelanosa flooring carries very little shade variation, creating a quieter visual field, while the cabinetry was executed in rift-sawn white oak specifically because it produces a far more controlled and consistent finish outcome than more common cuts of wood. In luxury projects, consistency itself becomes part of the refinement. The floating vanity was designed more like custom furniture than traditional cabinetry, utilizing waterfall mitered edges and fully reworked plumbing locations so both homeowners could share in having generous functional countertop space. The original makeup station was repurposed into integrated storage with powered drawers and concealed organization for everyday items such as blow dryers and flat irons. Along the vanity wall, wall-mounted plumbing fixtures were paired with ribbed natural marble surfaces — a detail that required intentional planning long before construction began. Rather than allowing the ribbed material to terminate awkwardly behind the fixtures, the backsplash and stone transitions were specifically designed to resolve those conditions cleanly. Those are the types of details that distinguish highly coordinated design-build work from projects that simply assemble materials together. While the room contains a significant amount of luxury detailing — from the freestanding tub and geoprism marble focal wall to the custom rift-sawn white oak closet doors and elongated mirrors that leverage the 11-foot ceiling heights — the project was always guided by quiet luxury rather than visual competition. Even the water closet enclosure was handled with restraint through the use of a satin-etched glass door rather than another heavy solid opening. The intent throughout was to create a bathroom that feels restorative and serene rather than overdesigned. In our view, the best luxury spaces are the ones that feel composed long after the initial impression wears off.

This multi-phased project to a midcentury rambler in the Highland Park neighborhood of St. Paul that started with a broken swimming pool, outdated finishes and one less bedroom than kids and slowly transformed with Nordic design influences and an emphasis on showcasing the owner’s art collection. The first phase design solution was a two-bedroom, one bath kid’s wing addition over the garage and a kitchen remodel to visually connect the living and dining areas. The kitchen cabinets are IKEA boxes with custom Grey Elm door fronts. All windows were replaced with new H Windows as well as new white oak hardwood floors installed on the main level complementing the entire home’s light and airy Scandinavian interior design. The existing two main level bedrooms were converted into a primary suite with an office/flex space and the existing bathroom was updated to serve as an ensuite bathroom. Clear cedar soffits were installed to add visual warmth throughout the year and creates visual contrast to the black exterior of the house. Stained cedar slats were installed to provide visual interest and provide shade and shadow interplay. The unfinished basement was updated to create a media room as well as a home office. The original gunite pool was restored a new poolside patio space and a stone patio off the house used for outdoor dining were installed.

The Setup: After purchasing this home, the homeowners faced a unique opportunity to reimagine their kitchen and nearby spaces. Water damage from a burst pipe had left much of the home’s interior in need of repair, and while the existing kitchen was functional and in relatively good shape, it didn’t align with the family’s vision for their new home. The layout included a peninsula that wasn’t ideal, and there were some druthers with the nearby pantry. Since the space needed to be rebuilt anyway, the homeowners saw this as a chance to create a kitchen that was both highly functional for their four young children and timeless in its design. The project also included a refresh of the adjacent message center and dining room — spaces that play key roles in the family’s daily life. The goal was to create a cohesive flow between these areas, balancing modern functionality with the craftsman-inspired character of the rest of the home. Design Objectives: - Replace the outdated peninsula with a large island to maximize counter space and create new seating options. - Open up the space visually by removing soffits and rethinking the cabinetry layout. Incorporate concealed refrigeration and freezer units to provide significant storage for the family while maintaining a streamlined aesthetic. - Integrate black cabinetry into the design without making the space feel harsh or heavy. - Ensure the lighting plan balances functional task lighting with ambient accent lighting. - Avoid visual clutter in the cabinetry design while still giving a nod to the craftsman aesthetic. - Incorporate a slab backsplash as a key design feature. Design Challenges: - The outdated peninsula left dead space in the kitchen and lacked sufficient seating for the family. - The cooktop wall was cramped, with small cabinets flanking the hood, limited storage, and soffits that made the space feel closed-in. - The family needed significant refrigeration space (two refrigerators and a freezer) but wanted to avoid a cluttered look with visible stainless steel appliances. - Adding black cabinetry risked making the space feel too dark or heavy. - The original lighting plan was insufficient, particularly over the dining table where a decorative fixture proved too dim. - The family wanted shaker-style drawer fronts to match the home’s arts-and-crafts design but worried that too much shaker cabinetry might look overly busy. - Prioritizing a slab backsplash in the wish list priority planning. The Renewed Space Design Solutions: - A functional island: The peninsula was replaced with a large island that provides continuous countertop space for prepping and serving. The island also features seating for four people, creating a central hub for informal meals and activities. - Streamlined cooktop wall: The soffits were removed, and the upper cabinets on the cooktop wall were eliminated to create a more open, streamlined design. A custom oversized hood became the focal point of the wall, with the blower unit offset inside it to align with the cooktop while maintaining exterior visual symmetry. - Concealed refrigeration: Two column refrigerators and one freezer were integrated into the cabinetry, concealing them behind wood paneling that blends seamlessly with the overall design. - Warm black cabinetry: The black cabinetry was crafted from hickory with a visible grain, softening its appearance and adding warmth. The grain detail gives the cabinetry a rich, textured look that avoids feeling stark or overpowering. - Additional lighting: In the dining area, recessed can lights were added during an additional installation phase to supplement the gorgeous decorative fixture’s dim output. The new lighting plan creates a layered effect, combining functional task lighting with softer ambient lighting. - Simplified cabinetry details: Slab drawer fronts were used on the upper drawers, while five-piece shaker fronts (with slightly less prominent rail and stile pieces) were reserved for the middle and lower drawers. This approach simplified the overall look while maintaining the craftsman-inspired aesthetic. - Slab backsplash priority: The slab backsplash was prioritized by making thoughtful adjustments elsewhere, like opting not to extend cabinetry to the ceiling, which also helped visually prioritize the gorgeous slab backsplash. This decision also enhanced the kitchen’s furniture-like feel, aligning with the home’s craftsman character. - This kitchen perfectly balances practicality with timeless style. By addressing the family’s functional needs — ample seating, smart storage, and effective lighting — while incorporating thoughtful design elements like warm black cabinetry and a striking slab backsplash, Alicia created a space that works beautifully for a busy household. The result is a cohesive, inviting kitchen that honors the home’s craftsman roots and will serve the family well for years to come.

Removing the bulky peninsula made room for a sleek island with dish storage, tandem trash and recycling, a docking station, and valuable prep/buffet counter space. It also opened up the Kitchen to the property's beautiful water view and mountains in the distance. The new open floor plan made for a more ergonomic space for the owners to cook together and allowed for a more cohesive space to connect with dinner guests. SHOWN IN IMAGE: Cabinetry by Dura Supreme Cabinetry in Quarter-sawn White Oak with Butternut stain (perimeter) and Gale Force paint finish on the island, both with Carson door and drawer style.| Cambria 3cm Engineered Quartz in Haydon finish | Lunada Bay Linen 2 1/2"x9 1/2" tile in Melange | Top Knobs Torbay Pulls in Honey Bronze | Visual Comfort Parkington Double Library Wall Light in Bronze | Visual Comfort Ruhlmann 14" Factory Pendant in Bronze | Hubbardton Forge Arc Linear Pendant in Soft Gold |Bosch Counter-Depth 3-Door Refrigerator | Walls are Benjamin Moore Linen White

Tuscan white tile gray floor bathroom photo in Santa Barbara with flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink and white countertops

Dry steam bed becomes a feature in the yard and is sustainable
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional drought-tolerant and partial sun backyard gravel garden path in Other.

Trendy medium tone wood floor, brown floor and wallpaper bedroom photo in Chicago with green walls

Jeff Roberts
Inspiration for a coastal u-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen remodel in Portland Maine with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, blue backsplash, matchstick tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Toys can really begin to take over the house - so figuring out an organization system will not only make you happy but it's a great way to teach those tykes the importance of organization. Clear Shoe Boxes from The Container Store also make for great containers to store by color, shape, or set.

Justin Lopez
Kitchen/dining room combo - mid-sized transitional medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen/dining room combo idea in San Francisco with no fireplace and gray walls

Large transitional backyard patio photo in San Francisco with a fireplace and a pergola