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 mid-sized arts and crafts powder room in Oklahoma City with green cabinets, slate floors, an undermount sink, engineered quartz benchtops, black floor, white benchtops, a built-in vanity and wallpaper.

This is an example of a small traditional powder room in Wichita with raised-panel cabinets, green cabinets, engineered quartz benchtops, multi-coloured benchtops, a freestanding vanity, a two-piece toilet, multi-coloured walls, travertine floors, a vessel sink, brown floor and wallpaper.

Powder room with a twist. This cozy powder room was completely transformed form top to bottom. Introducing playful patterns with tile and wallpaper. This picture shows the ceiling wallpaper. It is colorful and printed. It also shows the bathroom light fixture. Boston, MA.

This is an example of a traditional powder room in Other with dark hardwood floors, brown floor, furniture-like cabinets, green cabinets, multi-coloured walls, a vessel sink and green benchtops.

This is an example of a small transitional powder room in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, an undermount sink, black benchtops, a built-in vanity and wallpaper.

Photo of a contemporary powder room in Boston with flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, an undermount sink and white benchtops.

It’s always a blessing when your clients become friends - and that’s exactly what blossomed out of this two-phase remodel (along with three transformed spaces!). These clients were such a joy to work with and made what, at times, was a challenging job feel seamless. This project consisted of two phases, the first being a reconfiguration and update of their master bathroom, guest bathroom, and hallway closets, and the second a kitchen remodel. In keeping with the style of the home, we decided to run with what we called “traditional with farmhouse charm” – warm wood tones, cement tile, traditional patterns, and you can’t forget the pops of color! The master bathroom airs on the masculine side with a mostly black, white, and wood color palette, while the powder room is very feminine with pastel colors. When the bathroom projects were wrapped, it didn’t take long before we moved on to the kitchen. The kitchen already had a nice flow, so we didn’t need to move any plumbing or appliances. Instead, we just gave it the facelift it deserved! We wanted to continue the farmhouse charm and landed on a gorgeous terracotta and ceramic hand-painted tile for the backsplash, concrete look-alike quartz countertops, and two-toned cabinets while keeping the existing hardwood floors. We also removed some upper cabinets that blocked the view from the kitchen into the dining and living room area, resulting in a coveted open concept floor plan. Our clients have always loved to entertain, but now with the remodel complete, they are hosting more than ever, enjoying every second they have in their home. --- Project designed by interior design studio Kimberlee Marie Interiors. They serve the Seattle metro area including Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Medina, Clyde Hill, and Hunts Point. For more about Kimberlee Marie Interiors, see here: https://www.kimberleemarie.com/ To learn more about this project, see here https://www.kimberleemarie.com/kirkland-remodel-1

Powder room with Crown molding
Inspiration for a small traditional powder room in Detroit with furniture-like cabinets, green cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white tile, white walls, dark hardwood floors, an undermount sink, granite benchtops and brown floor.

These South Shore of Boston Homeowners approached the Team at Renovisions to power-up their powder room. Their half bath, located on the first floor, is used by several guests particularly over the holidays. When considering the heavy traffic and the daily use from two toddlers in the household, it was smart to go with a stylish, yet practical design. Wainscot made a nice change to this room, adding an architectural interest and an overall classic feel to this cape-style traditional home. Installing custom wainscoting may be a challenge for most DIY’s, however in this case the homeowners knew they needed a professional and felt they were in great hands with Renovisions. Details certainly made a difference in this project; adding crown molding, careful attention to baseboards and trims had a big hand in creating a finished look. The painted wood vanity in color, sage reflects the trend toward using furniture-like pieces for cabinets. The smart configuration of drawers and door, allows for plenty of storage, a true luxury for a powder room. The quartz countertop was a stunning choice with veining of sage, black and white creating a Wow response when you enter the room. The dark stained wood trims and wainscoting were painted a bright white finish and allowed the selected green/beige hue to pop. Decorative black framed family pictures produced a dramatic statement and were appealing to all guests. The attractive glass mirror is outfitted with sconce light fixtures on either side, ensuring minimal shadows. The homeowners are thrilled with their new look and proud to boast what was once a simple bathroom into a showcase of their personal style and taste. "We are very happy with our new bathroom. We received many compliments on it from guests that have come to visit recently. Thanks for all of your hard work on this project!" - Doug & Lisa M. (Hanover)

Inspiration for a small transitional powder room in New York with shaker cabinets, orange cabinets, blue walls, an undermount sink, quartzite benchtops, grey benchtops, a freestanding vanity and wallpaper.

Design ideas for a small contemporary powder room in Paris with beaded inset cabinets, green cabinets, a wall-mount toilet, stone slab and grey floor.

A cloakroom was created under the butterfly roof of this house. Painted stripes on the wall continue and meet on the floor as a checkered floor.
Small eclectic powder room in London with furniture-like cabinets, green cabinets, a one-piece toilet, green walls, plywood floors, a pedestal sink and green floor.

After purchasing this Sunnyvale home several years ago, it was finally time to create the home of their dreams for this young family. With a wholly reimagined floorplan and primary suite addition, this home now serves as headquarters for this busy family. The wall between the kitchen, dining, and family room was removed, allowing for an open concept plan, perfect for when kids are playing in the family room, doing homework at the dining table, or when the family is cooking. The new kitchen features tons of storage, a wet bar, and a large island. The family room conceals a small office and features custom built-ins, which allows visibility from the front entry through to the backyard without sacrificing any separation of space. The primary suite addition is spacious and feels luxurious. The bathroom hosts a large shower, freestanding soaking tub, and a double vanity with plenty of storage. The kid's bathrooms are playful while still being guests to use. Blues, greens, and neutral tones are featured throughout the home, creating a consistent color story. Playful, calm, and cheerful tones are in each defining area, making this the perfect family house.

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional powder room in Chicago with raised-panel cabinets, green cabinets, a two-piece toilet, multi-coloured walls, an undermount sink, engineered quartz benchtops, white benchtops, a built-in vanity and wallpaper.

Adam Scott
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional powder room in London with recessed-panel cabinets, a one-piece toilet, a drop-in sink, green cabinets, white walls and wood benchtops.

Jean C. Mays
Mid-sized traditional powder room in DC Metro with furniture-like cabinets, green cabinets, ceramic floors, a drop-in sink and wood benchtops.

Fun, green powder room. Photo by Jeremy Warshafsky.
Photo of a small scandinavian powder room in Toronto with flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, green walls, an undermount sink, marble benchtops and black benchtops.

Design ideas for an expansive beach style powder room in London with furniture-like cabinets, green cabinets, a vessel sink and grey floor.