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

Garage conversion into Additional Dwelling Unit / Tiny House
Small trendy 3/4 white tile and subway tile linoleum floor, gray floor and single-sink bathroom photo in DC Metro with medium tone wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, a console sink, a hinged shower door, a built-in vanity and flat-panel cabinets

Example of a mid-sized transitional master white tile and subway tile light wood floor bathroom design in Other with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls, a vessel sink and soapstone countertops

This long slim room began as an awkward bedroom and became a luxurious master bathroom. The huge double entry shower and soaking tub big enough for two is perfect for a long weekend getaway. The apartment was renovated for rental space or to be used by family when visiting.

Inspiration for a large modern master white tile and subway tile porcelain tile, gray floor and single-sink bathroom/laundry room remodel in Philadelphia with quartz countertops, a hinged shower door and black countertops

Masterbath remodel in the West End neighborhood of Winston-Salem.
Bathroom - mid-sized transitional master white tile and subway tile porcelain tile, gray floor and double-sink bathroom idea in Other with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, beige walls, an undermount sink, marble countertops, white countertops and a freestanding vanity

Bathroom - mid-sized contemporary 3/4 white tile and subway tile wood-look tile floor, brown floor and single-sink bathroom idea in Denver with shaker cabinets, black cabinets, a wall-mount toilet, white walls, a drop-in sink, wood countertops, beige countertops and a built-in vanity

Mid-sized elegant master white tile and subway tile mosaic tile floor, multicolored floor and single-sink bathroom photo in Sacramento with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, a one-piece toilet, beige walls, a drop-in sink, quartzite countertops, white countertops and a built-in vanity

Mid-sized arts and crafts kids' white tile and subway tile light wood floor, brown floor and single-sink bathroom photo in Chicago with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, brown walls, a trough sink and a built-in vanity

Large minimalist master white tile and subway tile porcelain tile, gray floor and single-sink bathroom/laundry room photo in Philadelphia with quartz countertops, a hinged shower door and black countertops

Example of a mid-sized arts and crafts kids' white tile and subway tile light wood floor, brown floor and single-sink bathroom design in Chicago with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, brown walls, a trough sink and a built-in vanity

Muted tones of gray and white mix throughout this bathroom, offering a soothing vibe to all who enter. The modern mosaic floor - in a contrasting basket weave - adds a funky edge to the simple gray and white contrasting sub way tiles that line the shower. Subtle details can be found throughout this space, that all play together to create a seamless, cool design. Erika Barczak, By Design Interiors, Inc. Photo Credit: Michael Kaskel www.kaskelphoto.com Builder: Roy Van Den Heuvel, Brand R Construction

Coastal cottage guest bathroom with white quartz counters, olive green painted wood vanity, distressed octagonal porcelain tile flooring and coastal style lighting and vintage 70s art.

  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

Mid-sized trendy master black tile, white tile and subway tile ceramic tile bathroom photo in Orange County with a one-piece toilet, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, white walls, a vessel sink and wood countertops

This amazing Master Bathroom, was gutted. The space was substantial, but poorly arranged. There was a whirlpool tub where the large shower is now located. There was a tiny shower in the corner where the closet with the washer and dryer are now located. The toilet stayed in it's original location. The new owner is a single lady and requested more storage and a vanity for makeup. The new custom cabinets include a linen closet. The countertop is quartzite that looks like marble. The floor is porcelain tile that has a striated look. Stuart Wade

The clients needed a larger space for a bathroom and closet. They also wanted to move the laundry room upstairs from the basement. We added a room addition with a laundry / mud room, master bathroom with a wet room and enlarged the existing closet. We also removed the flat roof over the bedroom and added a pitched roof to match the existing. The color of the house is going to be changed from yellow to white siding. The tub and shower is in the same “wet room” with plenty of natural light into the room. White subway tile be on the walls. The laundry room sink was repurposed and refinished to be used here. New tile floor was also installed.

Bathroom - mid-sized transitional 3/4 white tile and subway tile ceramic tile and beige floor bathroom idea in New York with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls, an integrated sink, marble countertops and gray countertops

Masterbath remodel in the West End neighborhood of Winston-Salem. Wall tile - Florida tile Emotive
Example of a mid-sized transitional master white tile and subway tile porcelain tile, gray floor and double-sink bathroom design in Other with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, beige walls, an undermount sink, marble countertops, white countertops and a freestanding vanity