This Jersey farmhouse, with sea views and rolling landscapes has been lovingly extended and renovated by Todhunter Earle who wanted to retain the character and atmosphere of the original building. The result is full of charm and features Randolph Limestone with bespoke elements. Photographer: Ray Main

Photo of a small country mudroom in Other with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a single front door, a black front door, grey floor and planked wall panelling.

Entryway
This is an example of an entry hall in Austin with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a single front door, a dark wood front door, vaulted and planked wall panelling.

The timber front door proclaims the entry, whilst louvre windows filter the breeze through the home. The living areas remain private, whilst public areas are visible and inviting. A bespoke letterbox and entry bench tease the workmanship within.

Mudroom
Design ideas for a large country foyer in Other with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a double front door, a black front door, brown floor and planked wall panelling.

This is an example of a small traditional front door in London with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a single front door, a green front door, white floor, coffered and planked wall panelling.

Burr Ridge, IL home by Charles Vincent George Architects. Photography by Tony Soluri. Two-story white, painted brick, the home has a mud room with shiplap siding, reclaimed brick floors, built-in bench seating, barn door closet, and a charming Dutch door to bring in the fresh air. This elegant home exudes old-world charm, creating a comfortable and inviting retreat in the western suburbs of Chicago.

  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

Country mudroom in Los Angeles with grey walls, brick floors, a dutch front door, a red front door, multi-coloured floor and planked wall panelling.

built ins, mudroom, navy, brass, fun, cubbies, fresh,
Design ideas for a mid-sized country mudroom in Philadelphia with grey walls, medium hardwood floors and planked wall panelling.

Mid-sized transitional mudroom with grey walls, grey floor and planked wall panelling.

Large traditional mudroom in Houston with grey walls, brick floors, a single front door, a dark wood front door, red floor, wood and planked wall panelling.

This coastal farmhouse design is destined to be an instant classic. This classic and cozy design has all of the right exterior details, including gray shingle siding, crisp white windows and trim, metal roofing stone accents and a custom cupola atop the three car garage. It also features a modern and up to date interior as well, with everything you'd expect in a true coastal farmhouse. With a beautiful nearly flat back yard, looking out to a golf course this property also includes abundant outdoor living spaces, a beautiful barn and an oversized koi pond for the owners to enjoy.

Inspiration for a large midcentury foyer in Other with grey walls, ceramic floors, a single front door, a medium wood front door, multi-coloured floor, wood and planked wall panelling.

Custom bench and cubbies keep the back entry organized with backpacks, shoes, sports and jackets.
Design ideas for a mid-sized mudroom in Columbus with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and planked wall panelling.

This two-story entryway will WOW guests as soon as they walk through the door. A globe chandelier, navy colored front door, shiplap accent wall, and stunning sitting bench were all designed to bring farmhouse elements the client was looking for.

Design ideas for a small traditional front door in London with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a single front door, a green front door, white floor, coffered and planked wall panelling.

The oversize pivot door secures the home, whilst louvres allow breezes to filter through. The home feels spacious and well lit, contrasting to the dark evening outside. Smooth polished concrete with an exposed aggregate leads you into the home.

Mid-sized transitional mudroom in Boston with grey walls, brick floors, beige floor and planked wall panelling.