Photo: Rachel Loewen © 2019 Houzz
Design ideas for a scandinavian mudroom in Chicago with white walls, grey floor and panelled walls.

Mudroom featuring hickory cabinetry, mosaic tile flooring, black shiplap, wall hooks, and gold light fixtures.
Design ideas for a large country mudroom in Grand Rapids with beige walls, porcelain floors, multi-coloured floor and planked wall panelling.

This is an example of a large transitional mudroom in Chicago with green walls, porcelain floors, white floor 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

The Twain Oak is rustic modern medium oak inspired floor that has light-dark color variation throughout.
Large modern front door in Los Angeles with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a single front door, a white front door, multi-coloured floor, vaulted and panelled walls.

Mid-sized transitional mudroom in Chicago with white walls, light hardwood floors, a double front door, a medium wood front door, grey floor and panelled walls.

We juxtaposed bold colors and contemporary furnishings with the early twentieth-century interior architecture for this four-level Pacific Heights Edwardian. The home's showpiece is the living room, where the walls received a rich coat of blackened teal blue paint with a high gloss finish, while the high ceiling is painted off-white with violet undertones. Against this dramatic backdrop, we placed a streamlined sofa upholstered in an opulent navy velour and companioned it with a pair of modern lounge chairs covered in raspberry mohair. An artisanal wool and silk rug in indigo, wine, and smoke ties the space together.

We added tongue & groove panelling, built in benches and a tiled Victorian floor to the entrance hallway in this Isle of Wight holiday home
Mid-sized traditional vestibule in London with white walls, ceramic floors, a single front door, a blue front door, multi-coloured floor and panelled walls.

Front entry of the home has been converted to a mudroom and provides organization and storage for the family.
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional mudroom in Detroit with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a single front door, brown floor and planked wall panelling.

When walking into this home, you are greeted by a 182 bottle wine cellar. The 20 foot double doors bring in tons of light. Dining room is close to the wine cellar.

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.

Photo of a modern entryway in Toronto with white walls, a single front door, a dark wood front door and panelled walls.

Photo of a large beach style mudroom in Miami with white walls, marble floors, white floor and planked wall panelling.

The glass entry in this new construction allows views from the front steps, through the house, to a waterfall feature in the back yard. Wood on walls, floors & ceilings (beams, doors, insets, etc.,) warms the cool, hard feel of steel/glass.

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.

Blue and white mudroom with light wood accents.
This is an example of a large beach style mudroom in Minneapolis with blue walls, ceramic floors, grey floor, vaulted and planked wall panelling.

Inspiration for a transitional mudroom in New York with white walls and planked wall panelling.

Photo of a mid-sized country entry hall in Chicago with white walls, light hardwood floors, a single front door, a black front door, beige floor and planked wall panelling.

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