An eclectic and sophisticated kaleidoscope of experiences provide an entertainer’s retreat from the urban surroundings. Fuelled by the dream of two inspiring clients to create an industrial warehouse space that was to be designed around their particular needs, we went on an amazing journey that culminated in a unique and exciting result. The unusual layout is particular to the clients’ brief whereby a central courtyard is surrounded by the entertainment functions, whilst the living and bedroom spaces are located on the perimeter for access to the city and harbour views. The generous living spaces can be opened to flow seamlessly from one to the other, but can also be closed off to provide intimate, cosy areas for reflection. With the inclusion of materials such as recycled face-brick, steel, timber and concrete, the main living spaces are rich and vibrant. The bedrooms, however, have a quieter palette providing the inhabitants a variety of experiences as they move through the spaces.

This is an example of a country living room in Sydney.

Graced with character and a history, this grand merchant’s terrace was restored and expanded to suit the demands of a family of five.
This is an example of a large contemporary backyard deck in Sydney.

Photo of a contemporary kitchen in Melbourne.

Contemporary home office in Melbourne.

Beefeater Signature 3000SS Matte Steel Grey Corian Ash Concrete Outdoor Kitchen Ascot Vale
Contemporary deck in Melbourne.

A unique, bright and beautiful bathroom with texture and colour! The finishes in this space were selected to remind the owners of their previous overseas travels.

Inspiration for a contemporary powder room in Paris.

Design ideas for a large transitional mudroom in Minneapolis with a single front door, a white front door and grey floor.

Bespoke hand built kitchen with built in kitchen cabinet and free standing island with modern patterned floor tiles and blue linoleum on birch plywood

Our first completed home in the Park Place series at Silverleaf in North Scottsdale blends traditional and modern elements to create a cleaner, brighter, simpler feel. Interior design by DeCesare Design Group Photography by Mark Boisclair Photography

Brad Knipstein Photography
This is an example of a contemporary bedroom in San Francisco with grey walls, dark hardwood floors and black floor.

Design ideas for a country kitchen pantry in Surrey with grey cabinets.

Photo of a contemporary patio in Toronto.

Design ideas for an expansive modern craft room in New York.

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional front yard partial sun formal garden for spring in Boston with mulch and with flowerbed.

Donna Griffith for House and Home Magazine
Inspiration for a small traditional family room in Toronto with blue walls, a standard fireplace and carpet.

  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

Photo of a contemporary master bathroom in Orange County with a freestanding tub, an alcove shower, gray tile, white tile, white walls, terrazzo floors, multi-coloured floor, a hinged shower door and white benchtops.