Grand foyer for first impressions.
Design ideas for a mid-sized country foyer in DC Metro with white walls, vinyl floors, a double front door, a black front door, brown floor, vaulted and planked wall panelling.

This is an example of a country foyer in Minneapolis with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a single front door, a blue front door, brown floor, timber, planked wall panelling and wallpaper.

This is an example of a traditional mudroom in Seattle with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a dutch front door, a white front door, brown floor, exposed beam and planked wall panelling.

Giraffe entry door with Vietnamese entry "dong." Tropical garden leads through entry into open vaulted living area.
Photo of a small beach style front door in Sunshine Coast with white walls, light hardwood floors, a double front door, a dark wood front door, brown floor, vaulted and planked wall panelling.

Design ideas for a transitional foyer in Miami with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a single front door, a glass front door, brown floor, timber, recessed and planked wall panelling.

Moody mudroom with Farrow & Ball painted black shiplap walls, built in pegs for coats, and a custom made bench with hidden storage and gold hardware.
Inspiration for a small eclectic mudroom in Sacramento with black walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and planked wall panelling.

In the remodel of this early 1900s home, space was reallocated from the original dark, boxy kitchen and dining room to create a new mudroom, larger kitchen, and brighter dining space. Seating, storage, and coat hooks, all near the home's rear entry, make this home much more family-friendly!

This classic Queenslander home in Red Hill, was a major renovation and therefore an opportunity to meet the family’s needs. With three active children, this family required a space that was as functional as it was beautiful, not forgetting the importance of it feeling inviting. The resulting home references the classic Queenslander in combination with a refined mix of modern Hampton elements.

Design ideas for a small traditional mudroom in Houston with white walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, timber and planked wall panelling.

  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

White oak floor, mahogany doors, and vertical shiplap walls.
This is an example of a front door in Other with light hardwood floors, a double front door, a dark wood front door, brown floor and planked wall panelling.

Design ideas for a large beach style foyer in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a single front door, a medium wood front door, brown floor and planked wall panelling.

The Kelso's Mudroom is designed to be functional and stylish. The black coat hooks provide a sleek and modern look, offering a convenient place to hang coats and accessories. The black door hardware matches the overall aesthetic and adds a touch of sophistication. The black windows complement the design and allow natural light to illuminate the space. The built-in cubby offers storage for shoes, bags, and other items, helping to keep the mudroom organized. The mudroom itself is a practical space that serves as a transition area between the outdoors and the rest of the home. A round wood chandelier hangs from the ceiling, providing both functional lighting and an eye-catching focal point. The white shiplap walls create a clean and classic look, while the wood bench adds warmth and natural texture. The light hardwood floor adds a touch of elegance and durability to the mudroom. White paneling further enhances the overall design, adding visual interest and charm. The Kelso's Mudroom is a well-designed space that combines functionality with style, making it a practical and inviting area for entering and leaving the home.

The mudroom was strategically located off of the drive aisle to drop off children and their belongings before parking the car in the car in the detached garage at the property's rear. Backpacks, coats, shoes, and key storage allow the rest of the house to remain clutter free.

This is an example of a large beach style entryway in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors, a single front door, a yellow front door, brown floor and planked wall panelling.

Inspiration for a large beach style foyer in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a single front door, a white front door, brown floor and planked wall panelling.

We added this entry bench as a seat to take off and put on shoes as you enter the home. Using a 3 layer paint technique we were able to achieve a distressed paint look.

Project completed as Senior Designer with NB Design Group, Inc. Photography | John Granen
Beach style foyer in Seattle with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a single front door, a white front door, brown floor, exposed beam, wood and planked wall panelling.

This is an example of a mid-sized country front door in DC Metro with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a double front door, a black front door, brown floor, exposed beam and planked wall panelling.