Katie Nixon Photography, Caitlin Wilson Design
Inspiration for a contemporary mudroom in Dallas with blue walls and black floor.

  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

Design ideas for a transitional mudroom in Grand Rapids with white walls, porcelain floors, a single front door, a black front door and black floor.

Kyle J Caldwell Photography
Photo of a transitional mudroom in New York with white walls and black floor.

Design ideas for a transitional mudroom in Bridgeport with black walls and black floor.

Rear foyer entry Photography: Stacy Zarin Goldberg Photography; Interior Design: Kristin Try Interiors; Builder: Harry Braswell, Inc.
This is an example of a beach style entry hall in DC Metro with beige walls, a single front door, a glass front door and black floor.

Dutch door leading into mudroom. Photographer: Rob Karosis
Large country mudroom in New York with white walls, a dutch front door, a black front door and black floor.

Design & Build Team: Anchor Builders, Photographer: Andrea Rugg Photography
Mid-sized traditional mudroom in Minneapolis with white walls, porcelain floors and black floor.

Accessorized by Lux Decor. Photographed by Angela Auclair Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary mudroom in Montreal with white walls, slate floors and black floor.

Contractor: Reuter Walton Interior Design: Talla Skogmo Photography: Alyssa Lee
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury entryway in Minneapolis with white walls, a single front door, a blue front door and blue floor.

This Greenwich home was completely reimagined into a contemporary lifestyle experience by a team of talented, luxury professionals. This home includes over 7,000 square feet, 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. The staging was carefully curated to emphasize the architecture, finishes and unique details throughout the home, as well as showcase an elevated lifestyle.

玄関引戸はヒバで制作。障子でＬＤＫと区切ることも出来る。
This is an example of a mid-sized asian mudroom in Other with a sliding front door, a medium wood front door, black floor and beige walls.

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional mudroom in New York with grey walls, ceramic floors, a single front door, a black front door and black floor.

Design ideas for a country mudroom in Other with white walls, a single front door, a white front door and black floor.

This 1950’s mid century ranch had good bones, but was not all that it could be - especially for a family of four. The entrance, bathrooms and mudroom lacked storage space and felt dark and dingy. The main bathroom was transformed back to its original charm with modern updates by moving the tub underneath the window, adding in a double vanity and a built-in laundry hamper and shelves. Casework used satin nickel hardware, handmade tile, and a custom oak vanity with finger pulls instead of hardware to create a neutral, clean bathroom that is still inviting and relaxing. The entry reflects this natural warmth with a custom built-in bench and subtle marbled wallpaper. The combined laundry, mudroom and boy's bath feature an extremely durable watery blue cement tile and more custom oak built-in pieces. Overall, this renovation created a more functional space with a neutral but warm palette and minimalistic details. Interior Design: Casework General Contractor: Raven Builders Photography: George Barberis Press: Rebecca Atwood, Rue Magazine On the Blog: SW Ranch Master Bath Before & After

Large modern foyer in Seattle with white walls, slate floors, a single front door, a light wood front door and black floor.

This is an example of a beach style mudroom in Boston with grey walls, a single front door, a white front door, black floor and slate floors.

Builder: John Kraemer & Sons | Photographer: Landmark Photography
Mid-sized contemporary foyer in Minneapolis with white walls, porcelain floors, a single front door, a black front door and black floor.

Small transitional mudroom in New York with ceramic floors, blue walls and black floor.