Brunswick Parlour transforms a Victorian cottage into a hard-working, personalised home for a family of four. Our clients loved the character of their Brunswick terrace home, but not its inefficient floor plan and poor year-round thermal control. They didn't need more space, they just needed their space to work harder. The front bedrooms remain largely untouched, retaining their Victorian features and only introducing new cabinetry. Meanwhile, the main bedroom’s previously pokey en suite and wardrobe have been expanded, adorned with custom cabinetry and illuminated via a generous skylight. At the rear of the house, we reimagined the floor plan to establish shared spaces suited to the family’s lifestyle. Flanked by the dining and living rooms, the kitchen has been reoriented into a more efficient layout and features custom cabinetry that uses every available inch. In the dining room, the Swiss Army Knife of utility cabinets unfolds to reveal a laundry, more custom cabinetry, and a craft station with a retractable desk. Beautiful materiality throughout infuses the home with warmth and personality, featuring Blackbutt timber flooring and cabinetry, and selective pops of green and pink tones. The house now works hard in a thermal sense too. Insulation and glazing were updated to best practice standard, and we’ve introduced several temperature control tools. Hydronic heating installed throughout the house is complemented by an evaporative cooling system and operable skylight. The result is a lush, tactile home that increases the effectiveness of every existing inch to enhance daily life for our clients, proving that good design doesn’t need to add space to add value.

Built on the beautiful Nepean River in Penrith overlooking the Blue Mountains. Capturing the water and mountain views were imperative as well as achieving a design that catered for the hot summers and cold winters in Western Sydney. Before we could embark on design, pre-lodgement meetings were held with the head of planning to discuss all the environmental constraints surrounding the property. The biggest issue was potential flooding. Engineering flood reports were prepared prior to designing so we could design the correct floor levels to avoid the property from future flood waters. The design was created to capture as much of the winter sun as possible and blocking majority of the summer sun. This is an entertainer's home, with large easy flowing living spaces to provide the occupants with a certain casualness about the space but when you look in detail you will see the sophistication and quality finishes the owner was wanting to achieve. ​

Contemporary single-wall dedicated laundry room in Melbourne with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey splashback, concrete floors, grey floor, grey benchtop and brick walls.

A combination of bricks, cement sheet, copper and Colorbond combine harmoniously to produce a striking street appeal. Internally the layout follows the client's brief to maintain a level of privacy for multiple family members while also taking advantage of the view and north facing orientation. The level of detail and finish is exceptional throughout the home with the added complexity of incorporating building materials sourced from overseas.

Inspiration for a mid-sized scandinavian l-shaped utility room in Perth with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, green splashback, mosaic tile splashback, white walls, porcelain floors, a stacked washer and dryer, grey floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

The industrial feel carries from the bathroom into the laundry, with the same tiles used throughout creating a sleek finish to a commonly mundane space. With room for both the washing machine and dryer under the bench, there is plenty of space for sorting laundry. Unique to our client’s lifestyle, a second fridge also lives in the laundry for all their entertaining needs.

This is an example of a transitional l-shaped dedicated laundry room in Atlanta with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, green splashback, a stacked washer and dryer and white benchtop.

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall utility room in Other with flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, white benchtop, a single-bowl sink, grey splashback, porcelain splashback, beige walls, porcelain floors, a concealed washer and dryer, grey floor, wallpaper and wallpaper.

Design ideas for a small transitional dedicated laundry room in San Diego with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, matchstick tile splashback, white walls, ceramic floors, a side-by-side washer and dryer, multi-coloured floor and grey benchtop.

New main floor laundry replaces unused "sunroom" space. LAUNDRY COUNTERTOPS: Caesarstone London Grey 5000H LAUNDRY BACKSPLASH: Mind Army BR Ceramic Subway Wall Tile - 3 x 10" LAUNDRY FLOORING: Mannington Adura Flex Villa Cement FXT421/Sandstone FXT420, 16x16 Squares, checkerboard pattern LAUNDRY SINK: Ruvati Nesta 14" Undermount single basin 16 ga stainless steel kitchen sink w/ basin rack & basket strainer. Finish: Stainless steel LAUNDRY FAUCET: Delta Mateo pull-down bar/prep faucet w/ magnetic docking spray head Laundry room Paint: Benjamin Moore "Collingwood" BM OC28

This is a hidden cat feeding and liter box area in the cabinetry of the laundry room. This is an excellent way to contain the smell and mess of a cat.

This contemporary compact laundry room packs a lot of punch and personality. With it's gold fixtures and hardware adding some glitz, the grey cabinetry, industrial floors and patterned backsplash tile brings interest to this small space. Fully loaded with hanging racks, large accommodating sink, vacuum/ironing board storage & laundry shoot, this laundry room is not only stylish but function forward.

  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

Laundry Room
Mid-sized traditional single-wall utility room in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, white walls, ceramic floors, a stacked washer and dryer, grey floor and white benchtop.

This is an example of a small contemporary single-wall laundry room in Sydney with an undermount sink, quartz benchtops, a side-by-side washer and dryer, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, white walls, grey floor and white benchtop.

Large industrial galley utility room in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, distressed cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, brick splashback, white walls, ceramic floors, white floor, white benchtop and brick walls.

Created for a renovated and extended home, this bespoke solid poplar kitchen has been handpainted in Farrow & Ball Wevet with Railings on the island and driftwood oak internals throughout. Luxury Calacatta marble has been selected for the island and splashback with highly durable and low maintenance Silestone quartz for the work surfaces. The custom crafted breakfast cabinet, also designed with driftwood oak internals, includes a conveniently concealed touch-release shelf for prepping tea and coffee as a handy breakfast station. A statement Lacanche range cooker completes the luxury look.

This is an example of a mid-sized scandinavian l-shaped utility room in Perth with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, green splashback, mosaic tile splashback, white walls, porcelain floors, a stacked washer and dryer, grey floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

A small dated powder room gets re-invented! Our client was looking to update her powder room/laundry room, we designed and installed wood paneling to match the style of the house. Our client selected this fabulous wallpaper and choose a vibrant green for the wall paneling and all the trims, the white ceramic sink and toilet look fresh and clean. A long and narrow medicine cabinet with 2 white globe sconces completes the look, on the opposite side of the room the washer and drier are tucked in under a wood counter also painted green.