Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Lakefront property in the northwest suburbs of Chicago is hard to come by, so when we were hired by this young family with exactly that, we were immediately inspired by not just the unusually large footprint of this 1950’s colonial revival but also the lovely views of the manmade lake it was sited on. The large 5-bedroom home was solidly stuck in the 1980’s, but we saw tons of potential. We started out by updating the existing staircase with a fresh coat of paint and adding new herringbone slate to the entry hall. The powder room off the entryway also got a refresh - new flooring, new cabinets and fixtures. We ran the new slate right through into this space for some consistency. A fun wallpaper and shiplap trim add a welcoming feel and set the tone for the home. Next, we tackled the kitchen. Located away from the rest of the first floor, the kitchen felt a little isolated, so we immediately began planning for how to better connect it to the rest of the first floor. We landed on removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room and designed a modified galley style space with separate cooking and clean up zones. The cooking zone consists of the refrigerator, prep sink and cooktop, along with a nice long run of prep space at the island. The cleanup side of the kitchen consists of the main sink and dishwasher. Both areas are situated so that the user can view the lake during prep work and cleanup! One of the home’s main puzzles was how to incorporate the mudroom and area in front of the patio doors at the back of the house. We already had a breakfast table area, so the space by the patio doors was a bit of a no man’s land. We decided to separate the kitchen proper from what became the new mudroom with a large set of barn doors. That way you can quickly hide any mudroom messes but have easy access to the light coming in through the patio doors as well as the outdoor grilling station. We also love the impact the barn doors add to the overall space. The homeowners’ first words to us were “it’s time to ditch the brown,” so we did! We chose a lovely blue pallet that reflects the home’s location on the lake which is also vibrant yet easy on the eye. Countertops are white quartz, and the natural oak floor works well with the other honey accents. The breakfast table was given a refresh with new chairs, chandelier and window treatments that frame the gorgeous views of the lake out the back. We coordinated the slate mudroom flooring with that used in the home’s main entrance for a consistent feel. The storage area consists of open and closed storage to allow for some clutter control as needed. Next on our “to do” list was revamping the dated brown bar area in the neighboring dining room. We eliminated the clutter by adding some closed cabinets and did some easy updates to help the space feel more current. One snag we ran into here was the discovery of a beam above the existing open shelving that had to be modified with a smaller structural beam to allow for our new design to work. This was an unexpected surprise, but in the end we think it was well worth it! We kept the colors here a bit more muted to blend with the homeowner’s existing furnishings. Open shelving and polished nickel hardware add some simple detail to the new entertainment zone which also looks out onto the lake! Next we tackled the upstairs starting with the homeowner’s son’s bath. The bath originally had both a tub shower and a separate shower, so we decided to swap out the shower for a new laundry area. This freed up some space downstairs in what used to be the mudroom/laundry room and is much more convenient for daily laundry needs. We continued the blue palette here with navy cabinetry and the navy tile in the shower. Porcelain floor tile and chrome fixtures keep maintenance to a minimum while matte black mirrors and lighting add some depth the design. A low maintenance runner adds some warmth underfoot and ties the whole space together. We added a pocket door to the bathroom to minimize interference with the door swings. The left door of the laundry closet is on a 180 degree hinge to allow for easy full access to the machines. Next we tackled the master bath which is an en suite arrangement. The original was typical of the 1980’s with the vanity outside of the bathroom, situated near the master closet. And the brown theme continued here with multiple shades of brown. Our first move was to segment off the bath and the closet from the master bedroom. We created a short hall from the bedroom to the bathroom with his and hers walk-in closets on the left and right as well as a separate toilet closet outside of the main bathroom for privacy and flexibility. The original bathroom had a giant soaking tub with steps (dangerous!) as well as a small shower that did not work well for our homeowner who is 6’3”. With other bathtubs in the home, they decided to eliminate the tub and create an oversized shower which takes up the space where the old tub was located. The double vanity is on the opposite wall and a bench is located under the window for morning conversations and a place to set a couple of towels. The pallet in here is light and airy with a mix of blond wood, creamy porcelain and marble tile, and brass accents. A simple roman shade adds some texture and it’s top-down mechanism allows for light and privacy. This large whole house remodel gave our homeowners not only the ability to maximize the potential of their home but also created a lovely new frame from which to view their fabulous lake views. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Classic, timeless, and ideally positioned on a picturesque street in the 4100 block, discover this dream home by Jessica Koltun Home. The blend of traditional architecture and contemporary finishes evokes warmth while understated elegance remains constant throughout this Midway Hollow masterpiece. Countless custom features and finishes include museum-quality walls, white oak beams, reeded cabinetry, stately millwork, and white oak wood floors with custom herringbone patterns. First-floor amenities include a barrel vault, a dedicated study, a formal and casual dining room, and a private primary suite adorned in Carrara marble that has direct access to the laundry room. The second features four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and an oversized game room that could also be used as a sixth bedroom. This is your opportunity to own a designer dream home.

Kitchen/dining room combo - mid-sized rustic medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen/dining room combo idea in Houston with beige walls and no fireplace

A fresh take on traditional style, this sprawling suburban home draws its occupants together in beautifully, comfortably designed spaces that gather family members for companionship, conversation, and conviviality. At the same time, it adroitly accommodates a crowd, and facilitates large-scale entertaining with ease. This balance of private intimacy and public welcome is the result of Soucie Horner’s deft remodeling of the original floor plan and creation of an all-new wing comprising functional spaces including a mudroom, powder room, laundry room, and home office, along with an exciting, three-room teen suite above. A quietly orchestrated symphony of grayed blues unites this home, from Soucie Horner Collections custom furniture and rugs, to objects, accessories, and decorative exclamationpoints that punctuate the carefully synthesized interiors. A discerning demonstration of family-friendly living at its finest.

Custom Metropolitan inset cabinets in Frosty White Countertops are ColorQuartz Calacatta Novus Walnut open drawers
Country medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen photo in Boston with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash and white countertops

Need more places to put things? We can create custom-built storage out of otherwise wasted space, hidden underneath your staircase.
Example of a classic staircase design in DC Metro

Beach front cabin located on the shores of Priest Lake, Idaho. Photo by Marie-Dominique Verdier
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Living room - huge traditional formal and open concept medium tone wood floor living room idea in New York with gray walls and a standard fireplace

Photo: Bonnie McCarthy © 2016 Houzz
Example of an eclectic patio design in Los Angeles

Inspiration for a mid-sized 1960s master medium tone wood floor bedroom remodel in Los Angeles with blue walls and no fireplace

Cover. A white double stitch seals the edge of a sliding felt seat, designed for accessing the storage box below. With ample storage for those things you’d like to keep out of sight and two shelves for footwear, this bench will contribute to keeping your place in perfect order.

Example of a transitional kitchen design in Boston

Sprawling Cali Ranch has it all! Get ready to enjoy the outdoors just as much as the indoors. Enter on a charming walkway w/ lush lanscape, crowned by white birch trees, lighting, and defining balusters. Soak in the tranquility n’ privacy of your own sparkling pool and spa trimmed w/ natural stone, baja shelf, pebble tech, and remote equipment access. Relax near the pool for outdoor dining w/separate covered seating. Landscaping lighting creates a magical nights. Prepare meals and spend quality family & friend time in your kitchen. White shaker style cabinetry w/ glass lighted displays, statement granite counters, large island w/ breakfast bar! SS faucet and sink, high end built-in dishwasher, double oven, builtin microwave, and 6- burner cook top with hood. Cozy up by the brick stone fireplace to experience Simi’s motto: ''Relax and Slow Down''. XL den in the back w/custom ceiling lighting perfect for a home theater. Flowing floorplan with 4 bdrs! M.bdrm with private bth. Organic hall bth w/slate flooring and wood vanity. Newer dual pane windows, and so much more. Enjoy a simpler, pace of life and begin your new chapter in this one of a kind home at 1830 Pope Ave! Outdoor dining, parks, hiking trails, parks, shops, schools and more!

Photo: Carolyn Reyes © 2015 Houzz
Example of a classic patio design in Los Angeles

This well lit home gym with wall to wall mirrors gives you the comfort and flexibility of working out in your own home. It even has a separate TV so you can play workout videos or whatever you like while you are bringing your sweat on!

Inspiration for a mid-sized full sun backyard formal garden for spring.

Inspiration for a large transitional master beige floor freestanding bathtub remodel in Seattle with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, multicolored walls, an undermount sink, quartzite countertops and a hinged shower door

Mid-sized minimalist galley slate floor and gray floor utility room photo in Portland with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface countertops, white backsplash, white walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and white countertops

Gold glass tile, black wall tile, marble look a like floor tile, custom vanity, vanity organization, barn door, LED Lit Glass Panel
Mid-sized trendy 3/4 black tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile and white floor bathroom photo in Atlanta with shaker cabinets, black cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls, an undermount sink, marble countertops and a hinged shower door