For this beautiful Tampa home, our studio employed a rustic approach that blended well with the contemporary nature of the home. We used a beautiful wooden tone for the kitchen cabinets and island, giving it a lived-in feel. Terracotta-colored backsplash and wooden beams on the ceiling complete the rustic appeal. We also added attractive, thoughtful decor all over the space, seamlessly tying it to the desired theme. --- Project designed by interior design studio Home Frosting. They serve the entire Tampa Bay area including South Tampa, Clearwater, Belleair, and St. Petersburg. For more about Home Frosting, see here: https://homefrosting.com/

Tracy deShazo Interiors Location: Midlothian, VA, USA Aware of the financial investment clients put into their homes, I combine my business and design expertise while working with each client to understand their taste, enhance their style and create spaces they will enjoy for years to come. It’s been said that I have a “good” eye. I won’t discount that statement and I’d add I have an affinity to people, places and things that tell a story. My clients benefit from my passion and ability to turn their homes into finely curated spaces through the use of beautiful textiles, amazing lighting and furniture pieces that are as timeless as they are wonderfully unique. I enjoy the creative process and work with people who are building their dream homes, remodeling existing homes or desire a fresh take on a well lived-in space. I see the client–designer relationship as a partnership with a desire to deliver an end result that exceeds my client’s expectations. I approach each project with professionalism, unparalleled excitement and a commitment for designing homes that are as livable as they are beautiful.

My clients approached me with a building that had become run down over the years they were hoping to transform into a home office. The plaster walls and ceilings were cracking badly, the trim work was patchy, and there was an awkward flow to the second floor due to weird stairs in the back hallway. There were a ton of amazing elements to the building as well (that were an absolute must to maintain) like the beautiful main staircase, existing marble fireplace mantel and the double set of interior entry doors with a frosted glass design transom above. The extent of the construction on the interior included extensive demolition. Everything came down except for most of the interior walls and the second floor ceilings. We put in all brand new HVAC, electrical and plumbing. Blow-in-Blanket insulation was installed in all the perimeter walls, new drywall, trim, doors and flooring. The front existing windows were refinished. The exterior windows were replaced with vinyl windows, but the shape and sash locations were maintained in order to maintain the architectural integrity of the original windows. Exterior work included a new front porch. The side porch was refaced to match the front and both porches received new stamped concrete steps and platform. A new stamped concrete walkway from the street was put in as well. The building had a few doors that weren't being used anymore at the side and back. They were covered up with new Cape Cod siding to match the exterior window color.

Well-traveled. Relaxed. Timeless. Our well-traveled clients were soon-to-be empty nesters when they approached us for help reimagining their Presidio Heights home. The expansive Spanish-Revival residence originally constructed in 1908 had been substantially renovated 8 year prior, but needed some adaptations to better suit the needs of a family with three college-bound teens. We evolved the space to be a bright, relaxed reflection of the family’s time together, revising the function and layout of the ground-floor rooms and filling them with casual, comfortable furnishings and artifacts collected abroad. One of the key changes we made to the space plan was to eliminate the formal dining room and transform an area off the kitchen into a casual gathering spot for our clients and their children. The expandable table and coffee/wine bar means the room can handle large dinner parties and small study sessions with similar ease. The family room was relocated from a lower level to be more central part of the main floor, encouraging more quality family time, and freeing up space for a spacious home gym. In the living room, lounge-worthy upholstery grounds the space, encouraging a relaxed and effortless West Coast vibe. Exposed wood beams recall the original Spanish-influence, but feel updated and fresh in a light wood stain. Throughout the entry and main floor, found artifacts punctate the softer textures — ceramics from New Mexico, religious sculpture from Asia and a quirky wall-mounted phone that belonged to our client’s grandmother.

Photo by Jody Dole This charming farmhouse sits atop a grassy hill overlooking a serene Connecticut River Estuary. The new design reformulated the first floor plan making it much more functional and visually exciting. It encompassed the reorganization of multiple spaces including the Mudroom, Kitchen, Dining Room, Family Room, Sun Room, Laundry, Bathroom, and Master Closet. The design also added, deleted, and relocated windows and French doors to greatly enhance exterior views, draw in more natural light, and seamlessly upgrade the articulation of exterior elevations. Improvements to the plumbing and mechanical systems were also made. The overall feeling is both sophisticated and yet very much down to earth. John R. Schroeder, AIA is a professional design firm specializing in architecture, interiors, and planning. We have over 30 years experience with projects of all types, sizes, and levels of complexity. Because we love what we do, we approach our work with enthusiasm and dedication. We are committed to the highest level of design and service on each and every project. We engage our clients in positive and rewarding collaborations. We strive to exceed expectations through our attention to detail, our understanding of the “big picture”, and our ability to effectively manage a team of design professionals, industry representatives, and building contractors. We carefully analyze budgets and project objectives to assist clients with wise fund allocation. We continually monitor and research advances in technology, materials, and construction methods, both sustainable and otherwise, to provide a responsible, well-suited, and cost effective product. Our design solutions are highly functional using both innovative and traditional approaches. Our aesthetic style is flexible and open, blending cues from client desires, building function, site context, and material properties, making each project unique, personalized, and enduring.

Master bathroom w/ freestanding soaking tub
Freestanding bathtub - huge modern master brown tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile, beige floor, double-sink, exposed beam and wall paneling freestanding bathtub idea with beaded inset cabinets, gray cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls, an undermount sink, granite countertops, multicolored countertops, a niche and a built-in vanity

Located on a marsh in the upper reaches of the Lieutenant River in Old Lyme, the existing house was well-sited and well-built, but the design failed to exploit the views and more importantly was a confused combination of contemporary and traditional elements. The new homeowners, a successful businesswoman and an accomplished artist and photographer, were interested in creating a fully-contemporary environment to open up space, connect indoors with outdoors, display artwork and showcase the husband’s distinctive photographs. One glaring deficiency was the curb appeal and approach sequence: the grade sloped down and the path to the house followed, but this led to an uncomfortable dip and abrupt rise to the front door. By creating a virtual “moat,” occupied by a grid of raised-bed grasses contained in aluminum-clad boxes, and spanning the moat with an ipe bridge, the approach becomes level and engaging. The façade of the existing house was blank and bland, and with no cover. Adding a deep overhang with a wide porch creates a welcoming, covered condition, accentuated by a 6’ wide pivoting front door that feels more like a moving piece of wall. Another deficiency was the connection to the outdoors. By adding glass to the front and back of the house, and removing interior walls selectively, the house takes on a diaphanous quality that allows one to see through to the marsh beyond, even when in the driveway. The raised-bed grasses act as abstract, geometric versions of the marsh beyond. A large, pyramidal skylight establishes a spatial hierarchy around which the rooms revolve. The house featured several tray-ceilinged spaces – living room, kitchen, and master bedroom – that were poorly-proportioned and with panels at the top that resembled inset flat panel doors. The solution was to use a different strategy for each: the bedroom turns the ceiling into an eggshell through the use of a creative trim detail; the living room has an oversized sculptural, backlit lighting element; and the kitchen has a collage of painted rectangular forms that support or include lighting pieces. A palette of concrete, blackened steel, stainless steel and colors carefully chosen by homeowner and architect create an interior and exterior environment punctuated by moments that are as artistic as the featured works in the black-ceilinged gallery.

Lincoln Park is the home of one of the latest successes for a CHP client. They approached CHP with two different storage needs — and started by wrapping their walk-in closet and laundry area in delicious colors of Milky Way and White. In the laundry room, existing countertops worked well with the newly designed cabinets installed just below. A combination of hidden space behind doors, plus open shelving, provides ample storage space. The Milky Way columns were the perfect touch of spacing for the new front load washer and dryer. The design combined a pleasing look with efficient use of space. Of course, no one ever says, “No,” to a new walk-in closet. This simple walk-in was, certainly, a storage area to which one could easily say, “Yes.” The combination of open shelving for sweaters and pants, drawers for undergarments, and multiple hanging heights, creates an efficiently organized closet, that can store almost any wardrobe. Chicagoland Home Products can design a walk-in for every need, from mini to massive.

Paola took astronomy in college and enjoyed that course a lot. For a long while now, she's been wanting to create a scheme centered around astronomy, knowing a nursery or child’s bedroom would be the ideal spaces for this. Our approach for themed spaces is to introduce the “elements” in a subtle way as to give the hint that indeed this room is “celestial themed” but it‘s not obvious. First we chose the awesome shagreen wallpaper, not a conventional choice, but works so well in imitating that “rocky” feel of the moon. From there, we added the geometric prints, which reference science, math, planets? We just didn’t want to add actual planet prints because we still wanted the room to feel sophisticated. All the little details like the moon throw pillow and stary velvet fabric on the ottoman are genius.

Our clients approached us nearly two years ago seeking professional guidance amid the overwhelming selection process and challenges in visualizing the final outcome of their Kokomo, IN, new build construction. The final result is a warm, sophisticated sanctuary that effortlessly embodies comfort and elegance. Soft neutrals in paint and furnishings define this inviting upstairs living room. Ample seating surrounds a large center table, creating a welcoming atmosphere. A majestic fireplace, crowned with a TV, stands as the focal point, while elegant decor details add a touch of sophistication to this well-appointed space. ... Project completed by Wendy Langston's Everything Home interior design firm, which serves Carmel, Zionsville, Fishers, Westfield, Noblesville, and Indianapolis. For more about Everything Home, see here: https://everythinghomedesigns.com/ To learn more about this project, see here: https://everythinghomedesigns.com/portfolio/kokomo-luxury-home-interior-design/

Timeless Classic. The landscape must complement the architecture of the house, so designing this garden for our antique reproduction needed to harken back to a different time. Material choices such as antique brick, reclaimed granite, and natural-cleft bluestone were all incorporated into the composition to create a timeless beauty all within the context of a bygone setting. Directly adjacent to the driveway and guest parking, the ‘kitchen garden’ was surrounded by a custom-built cedar fence with a self-closing cannonball gate. Herbs and cutting perennials fill the space as well as a small bench for reflection or to take a break from tending to the garden. From a functional standpoint, this has become the most-used entrance to the house, with the original main door serving only as decoration. The arrival sequence is easy to understand and has the guests passing through the landscape on a well-lit path via our hand-built copper lantern atop an architectural post. Planting was purposely kept to a minimum with mostly perennials and a couple of common lilacs — all keeping within the design intent. Existing natural-cleft bluestone was repurposed with a linear approach for a dining and lounging terrace in the rear of the property. Three sides are surrounded by sun-loving plants with grass coming right up to the patio offering a seamless transition to the yard beyond. Simple, elegant, and timeless.

## Custom Himalayan Salt Wall Design for Modern Interiors A custom Himalayan salt wall can become a distinctive focal point in a thoughtfully designed interior. The combination of natural pink-orange salt bricks, carefully planned brick patterns, and optional concealed lighting creates opportunities for distinctive wall designs in wellness rooms, spa reception areas, hospitality interiors, and selected residential spaces. Every space has different dimensions, lighting conditions, and design requirements. Planning a custom salt wall starts with understanding the available wall area, selecting appropriate salt bricks or tiles, estimating material quantities, and determining a suitable installation approach. Saltbricks offers Himalayan salt bricks, salt tiles, adhesive, and custom ordering options to help customers source materials for their projects. Our goal is to make it easier for homeowners, designers, and contractors to plan their salt wall material requirements. Whether you are exploring a small decorative feature or a larger architectural installation, begin with your design concept and wall measurements to determine the materials required.

When the owners of this Sea Ranch property approached David Moulton AIA and Empire Construction they were seeking our help to answer a couple of design challenges. The first challenge was to create a weather proof walkway between the main house, a separate building that served as a study, and an adjacent bedroom over the garage. Between these buildings there was a beautiful collection of towering Redwood trees and a glade of ferns. Over the years the owners had observed that a wonderful array of wildlife made their way across the property through these tress and ferns. It was not unusual to glance out their window and see Deer, Jackrabbits, Fox and the occasional Bobcat between the trees. Longtime lovers of the forest and native landscape, as well as avid dog and cat owners, they felt very strongly that the design include the preservation of each and every tree, the glade of ferns and the wildlife thoroughfare. From the start then, the design required something suspended above the landscape.

This is not just any project. This is not just any house. This is a house of healing. My beloved and infinitely inspiring brother, Yeshaia Blakeney owns and runs this treatment center, The Integrity House. When my brother approached me about decorating this 7000 square foot Mediteranean home in Brentwood, I was thrilled. When he told me we had 2 weeks to complete this mission I was, well, admittedly a little bit freaked out. With the indispensable help of Emily, my brothers’ wife and powerhouse, we scoured LA to find a harmonious blend of vintage & contemporary furnishings and art, that would bring this house to life. But, before this creative process, before the decor and the art, I brought the sage and we all sat down on the living room floor, my mother lead the ceremony and we blessed the house. This house is a house of healing, may all who pass through find peace, love, inspiration and fulfillment. Amen! Photographed by Justina Blakeney

Well-traveled. Relaxed. Timeless. Our well-traveled clients were soon-to-be empty nesters when they approached us for help reimagining their Presidio Heights home. The expansive Spanish-Revival residence originally constructed in 1908 had been substantially renovated 8 year prior, but needed some adaptations to better suit the needs of a family with three college-bound teens. We evolved the space to be a bright, relaxed reflection of the family’s time together, revising the function and layout of the ground-floor rooms and filling them with casual, comfortable furnishings and artifacts collected abroad. One of the key changes we made to the space plan was to eliminate the formal dining room and transform an area off the kitchen into a casual gathering spot for our clients and their children. The expandable table and coffee/wine bar means the room can handle large dinner parties and small study sessions with similar ease. The family room was relocated from a lower level to be more central part of the main floor, encouraging more quality family time, and freeing up space for a spacious home gym. In the living room, lounge-worthy upholstery grounds the space, encouraging a relaxed and effortless West Coast vibe. Exposed wood beams recall the original Spanish-influence, but feel updated and fresh in a light wood stain. Throughout the entry and main floor, found artifacts punctate the softer textures — ceramics from New Mexico, religious sculpture from Asia and a quirky wall-mounted phone that belonged to our client’s grandmother.

In snow country (like Lake Tahoe), you want to pay careful attention to how you approach the house in the winter. You don't want the snow to "shed" off the roof in front of your passage. Here, we provided a continuous covered walkway from the garage to the front door that should always be clear of snow... John Barton

Timeless Classic. The landscape must complement the architecture of the house, so designing this garden for our antique reproduction needed to harken back to a different time. Material choices such as antique brick, reclaimed granite, and natural-cleft bluestone were all incorporated into the composition to create a timeless beauty all within the context of a bygone setting. Directly adjacent to the driveway and guest parking, the ‘kitchen garden’ was surrounded by a custom-built cedar fence with a self-closing cannonball gate. Herbs and cutting perennials fill the space as well as a small bench for reflection or to take a break from tending to the garden. From a functional standpoint, this has become the most-used entrance to the house, with the original main door serving only as decoration. The arrival sequence is easy to understand and has the guests passing through the landscape on a well-lit path via our hand-built copper lantern atop an architectural post. Planting was purposely kept to a minimum with mostly perennials and a couple of common lilacs — all keeping within the design intent. Existing natural-cleft bluestone was repurposed with a linear approach for a dining and lounging terrace in the rear of the property. Three sides are surrounded by sun-loving plants with grass coming right up to the patio offering a seamless transition to the yard beyond. Simple, elegant, and timeless.

Tracy deShazo Interiors Location: Midlothian, VA, USA Aware of the financial investment clients put into their homes, I combine my business and design expertise while working with each client to understand their taste, enhance their style and create spaces they will enjoy for years to come. It’s been said that I have a “good” eye. I won’t discount that statement and I’d add I have an affinity to people, places and things that tell a story. My clients benefit from my passion and ability to turn their homes into finely curated spaces through the use of beautiful textiles, amazing lighting and furniture pieces that are as timeless as they are wonderfully unique. I enjoy the creative process and work with people who are building their dream homes, remodeling existing homes or desire a fresh take on a well lived-in space. I see the client–designer relationship as a partnership with a desire to deliver an end result that exceeds my client’s expectations. I approach each project with professionalism, unparalleled excitement and a commitment for designing homes that are as livable as they are beautiful.

"The gorgeous crown molding along with decorative glass door inserts and contrasting color detail offers a cool, built-in look with an integrated seating area for removing footwear. Seamlessly blending into the existing space, this well-designed system maintains order in this busy area of home." "Hanging rods, drawers, doors and shelves transform a cluttered and disordered hall closet or entryway into a space of functional organization allowing people to come and go with ease."