Citing the Midwest winter sunsets of burnt peach with hints of plum, the clients knew they wanted to walk into their house and feel happy – especially when the outside world was white and frozen. Valdivia was excited by the opportunity to design something other than “another white kitchen.” 

“Color is life,” said the designer. “This client set us up for figuring out our niche – thinking outside the box, making a space pop and not just creating a ‘safe’ kitchen.” 

A Sweet Kitchen Palette  

In addition to lacking brightness with its tired wood cabinets and dark countertops, the original closed-off kitchen was void of function with badly placed appliances and wasted space. Valdivia changed all that by slightly opening the wall between the kitchen and dining room and rethinking the cabinet layout.  

She used a mix of warm and cool tones – spun sugar upper cabinets and a light green backsplash – to provide the inviting colors the clients craved. Lower cabinets and tall units in walnut with a natural pattern balance the lighter hues, while the gray terrazzo floor anchors the space even as it offers flecks of pink as a nod to the upper cabinets.  

“The darker color on the floor makes everything fall into place,” said Valdivia. “When you are doing a kitchen with a lot of color, you have to include elements that ground it, so it’s not overdone.”  

Riding the Bathroom Wave 

To recreate the bathroom, which serves the daughter and guests, Valdivia took a bit of space from the adjacent bedroom and incorporated another feel-good palette. With the additional square footage, she was able to replace a pedestal sink with a larger vanity that offers storage and counterspace. Its walnut surface ties it to the kitchen and brings warmth to the bathroom, which allowed Valdivia to choose cooler colors for the walls.  

Here, a wave of scalloped tile in a mix of blues and greens brings a sense of calm to the space. The clients liked the tile, but it was expensive, so the wave design offered a way to incorporate it without covering an entire wall.  

“It’s a girl’s bathroom, but we didn’t want it to feel like a child’s bathroom,” said Valdivia. “Instead, it is playful but also elevated and timeless. It will still work for her in 10 years.” 

While the walls are painted in a light blue color to coordinate with the wall tile, Valdivia chose white subway tile for the bathtub walls. This offered another cost savings and created a clean look in the bathtub area while letting the scalloped tile be the star of the show.  

The cement floor tile, which the client found, adds a different aspect to the room with its gray-and-white geometric pattern.  
 
“The floor was a bold choice,” said Valdivia. “That one made me nervous.” 

To convince herself, she drew it out on paper to understand how it would look in the space, then agreed it did not compete with the scalloped wave wall.  

This project provided Valdivia with a crucial experience thanks to the homeowners’ penchant for atypical color. Now, potential clients who contact the design/build firm specifically mention it and cite their desire to add more color to their homes. To make it a “safe” experience, Valdivia provides renderings.  

“Don’t be afraid to play with different palette options,” she said. “If you wonder whether it’s too much, create renderings. Have fun with it. You can see what clicks.”  

Sources 

Designer: Lidia Valdivia, Founder + CEO, Moonstone Design + Build Photographer: Chelsie Lopez, White Label Visuals KITCHEN Backsplash & Wall/Hood Tile: Zia Tile Cabinet Hardware: West Elm Cabinet Paint: Sherwin-Williams Countertop: MSI Faucet & Sink: Kräus Flooring: TileBar Lighting: CB2& Sazerac Stitches Refrigerator: Samsung Ventilation: ZLINE BATHROOM Accessories: Boyel Living Faucet: Delta Flooring: Zia Tile Lighting & Mirror: West Elm Paint: Sherwin-Williams Tile: Daltile & Mercury Mosaics Toilet: Swiss Madison Tub: Kohler Vanity: All Modern 

The post Designing for Happiness in Minnesota appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Business.

Making Moves 

“One of the reasons we chose this house was because it was centrally located in one of the hottest neighborhoods for young families, Mar Vista,” said Biegel. While the home was a perfectly preserved grandma-chic house, it was extremely dated with a country-style makeover the house had likely seen in the early aughts. That styling was unfortunately played up in the kitchen.  

According to Biegel, it had maroon rooster wallpaper, a rooster chandelier and rooster hardware and wall hooks. Foghorn Leghorn aesthetics aside, the room felt closed off and dark. Its layout of vast, empty space in the center and broken-up granite counters with prefab cabinets along the perimeter was at once visually unappealing and impractical. 

As part of their solution, the team relocated the kitchen to the home’s existing sunroom where it could enjoy more natural light; moved the living room adjacent to the new kitchen; and tore down most of the decorative posts between the two to open sightlines. Having envisioned this project as a home with kids, since the neighborhood is known for its enviable school district, the designers felt these moves were key. From its new location, the kitchen offers a vantage point to the existing backyard and swimming pool, and flows right into the living room, ensuring the parents can cook dinner while monitoring kids playing both inside or outside. 

From Italy, With Love 

A recent trip to “The Boot” country influenced the designers’ choices both in the kitchen and throughout the home. The selected some of the same materials used to create the historic buildings in Italy, including real marble, limestone and white oak. They tend to avoid manmade materials like laminates, porcelains and quartz. For the kitchen and bathroom countertops, the team used quartzite, a natural stone that is hardwearing and resistant to staining. Inspired by plasterwork during their European travels, the designers opted for hand-troweled Marmorino plaster walls and backsplash instead of tile.  

“It’s a beautiful, living finish full of movement, yet you can simply wipe it down with a sponge,” said Biegel. Marmorino, who said it dates back to ancient Roman times and is waterproof and antimicrobial, to boot.  

The same finish covers the range’s custom hood, while a matching paint color coats the raftered ceiling above, an original detail the designers preserved. 

Custom millwork in natural-finished white oak encompasses a line of base cabinets and the paneled fridge along the sink wall, floor-to-ceiling storage and pantry cabinets along a perpendicular side wall and a 3-by-8-foot island at the room’s center. The designers made sure to include an appliance garage within the casework to keep the countertops clear. The result is a bright, airy and clean-lined space that feels tranquil and timeless. 

Serenity Now 

Ensuring design continuity and cohesion, the team carried this same aesthetic throughout the renovation, particularly in a new primary bath. While it sat in its original location, the space gained square footage from a disused “pool bath” that had previously – and awkwardly – cut into the primary bedroom. Like the old kitchen, the bath had all the makings of a dated granny-chic home, from a jetted tub with a tiled surround to a tacky floral wallpaper and shiny brass elements. 

In place of wallpaper and wall tiles, Marmorino plaster helps create a soothing and soft spa-like environment homeowners crave today. Instead of tiled floors, the designers specified white oak to create a more seamless transition from bedroom to bath.  

“We love the look of a primary bath with wood floors,” said Kosnett. “If you look at old homes in England, many of the bathrooms have wood floors.”  

As in any other wood-floored space, she added, a little water from exiting the shower doesn’t hurt – as long as it’s not a bucketful and doesn’t sit there for too long.  

Another touch of luxury, an ovoid freestanding tub sits beside a large picture window and below a vintage linen-shaded pendant. There was plenty of room left over for a double vanity and enlarged shower since the space absorbed the old pool bath. Here, quartzite is repeated but in a more refined way. Rather than a simple slab countertop, for instance, it forms the vanity top with its integrated sinks as well as a monolithic block outside the shower. The quartzite continues inside frameless glass walls to morph into the shower bench while also creating the illusion of a dissolved barrier.  

The natural Italian-inspired palette, crisp clean lines and soft notes here, in the kitchen and the rest of the house brought this home up to date and caught many a homebuyers’ eye. The designers said they received multiple offers in less than a week. 

Sources

Interior Designer: Galerie Design + Build General Contractor: Ayon Construction Photographer: Tessa Neustadt KITCHEN Dishwasher & Range: Bosch Faucet: Brizo Flooring: River Oaks Hardware: Alno Refrigerator: JennAir BATHROOM Fixtures: Phylrich Plumbing Flooring: River Oaks Hardware: Yester Home Mirrors: Zara Home Pendant: Vakkerlight Tub: TOTO Wall Sconces: Human Home 

The post Updating a Kitchen and Bath in a Los Angeles Ranch Home appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Business.

“Luckily for us, with longevity comes an innate sense of trust, and that enabled us to pitch and subsequently execute these big ideas with ease and a whole lot of fun,” said Lewis, who took her clients on a visit to the O’Brien Harris Cabinetry showroom, and they knew that was also a great fit for the project. 

The main goals for the new kitchen were to make it more functional for their large family and open it up to the rest of the home. They also wanted a kitchen that would accommodate frequent entertaining. For the baths, the dated primary and boys’ and girls’ spaces needed major facelifts and more personalized storage solutions for a bespoke experience for each family member. 

A Place for Day-to-Day & Special Events 

To make the kitchen more spacious and inviting for family and guests, Lewis removed a wall between it and the breakfast area. She also framed out an arched opening between the two spaces to achieve symmetry, an important detail of the new design. The color palette – walnut, warm white paint and reeded glass with dark antique details – was chosen for its timelessness and approachability. 

The surfaces add much color and contrast to the space, especially the Calacatta Corchia marble countertops that extend as a backsplash on the sink and range walls. The 12-foot-long island countertop is a honed granite that features inverse cove detail, making appear as if several picture frames are incorporated onto the surface. The warm walnut flooring was added to match that in the rest of the home.  

The homeowners wanted to keep the La Cornue statement range from the former kitchen, and Lewis added a second oven. A custom-paneled full-height refrigerator/freezer and refrigerator drawers and two paneled dishwashers were also included, along with a hand-troweled hood for the ventilation. 

Lewis likes to mix metals in her projects, so she chose a polished-nickel faucet with a filtration system and soft-brass sconces. There is a statement pendant with four white shades over the large island, and integrated lighting provides task illumination at the range. 

Storage Strategy 

The cabinetry in the home was custom built by O’Brien Harris, and it was designed so that every item has a place with its ample tray, canister and spice pullouts; knife block; and drawers for utensils, pots and pans, Tupperware and water bottles. Lewis and Ann Stockard, senior design lead at O’Brien Harris, come up with a storage game plan, complete a first pass of drawings and place Post-It Notes to detail where everything goes.  

The kitchen is lower cabinet focused to preserve the natural light coming in from the large window behind the sink. The Hyde Park door style features a cove that mimics the scalloped detail at the end of the galley island, which Lewis calls the space’s signature detail. The island also houses a microwave, trash pullouts and the extra oven. 

The only upper cabinets in the kitchen are on either side of the sink wall, and they feature antique, reeded, mirrored-glass doors to add depth and elegance. Lewis said they were designed with architectural cues from the rest of the home. 

“With arched openings clad in walnut trim used throughout the house, these cabinets are a nod to the finishes and details you see repeating in the space in a variety of ways,” she added. 

Primary Perfect 

The goals for the homeowners’ bathroom were to invoke a refined, furniture-inspired style and create a calming, uncluttered space. The his-and-hers walnut vanity features an updated bamboo look with raised legs. Hidden outlets in the drawers allow the discreet storage and use of personal appliances. The door and drawer perimeters incorporate a band of molding to coordinate with the bamboo-like legs, and the cabinet hardware and faucets match in a brass finish.  

The lighting plan comprises cans and faceted sconces in an octagonal shape on either side of the vintage-style mirrors. Medicine cabinets were not necessary because tall cabinetry on either side of the vanities were already part of the home’s existing architecture. 

The floor tile is a tumbled Bardiglia marble in shades of navy and light blue that complement the walnut vanity. The countertop was fabricated from honed Calacatta Bluette slabs, which Lewis says dovetails in with the natural stone floors and shower surround. 

Outfitting the Children’s Baths 

The couple’s two kids were also in need of spaces with more personalization to meet their individual needs. A rich blue tone was chosen for the son’s vanity, which includes an integrated pull-out stepstool so he can access the mirror and the integrated stone shelf. A drawer toward the bottom the unit provides additional storage. The blue/gray quartzite countertop features scalloped detail that is also seen in other areas of the home, and the blue shade is also seen in the marble mosaic floor tile Flush-mount sconces in satin brass complement the cabinet hardware and the overhead light fixture.  

The girls’ bathroom is shared by two sisters and was designed to be youthful, fun and feminine. A double-sink vanity in forest green features arched details that mimic those in the kitchen, and its dainty feet give the piece a furniture-like feel. The walls are comprised of half-height ceramic tile and a peachy wallpaper with a floral motif. Four sconces with peach canopies flank the two woven wicker mirrors, and a transom window brings in light from the hallway. The Dolomite marble floor tile in a picket mosaic and polished-gold faucets round out the look in the girls’ bath. 

Overcoming Project Hurdles 

According to Lewis, the team had an extremely limited window of time from when they could begin construction and when the family wanted to move into the home. This was even more challenging since they were renovating both the first and second floors – all bathrooms and flooring and the kitchen. Tactical planning was necessary, as well as long-standing relationships with team members and complete transparency with the clients. 

“It was a record-time construction project given how much there was to tackle,” said Lewis. “It may have not felt like that to the family, but it really was, and they were total champs the whole time.”

Sources 

Designer: Melissa Lewis, Melissa Lewis Interiors Photographer: Sarah Crowley KITCHEN Cabinetry: O’Brien Harris Cremone Bolts: Katonah Architectural Hardware Dishwashers: Bosch Faucet: Newport Brass Hood Insert: Best Microwave & Wall Ovens: Wolf Pendant: Urban Electric Range: La Cornue Refrigeration: Thermador Sconces: Visual Comfort Sink: Kallista  PRIMARY BATH Cabinetry: O’Brien Harris Faucet & Hardware: Waterworks Mirrors: Mirror Home Sconces: Hinkley Lighting BOY’S BATH Cabinetry: O’Brien Harris Ceiling Fixture: Hudson Valley Lighting Faucet & Hardware: Brizo Floor Tile: The Fine Line Mirror: CB2 Sconces: Visual Comfort Sink: Kohler GIRLS’ BATH Cabinetry: O’Brien Harris Faucet: Brizo Hardware: Emtek Mirror: Two’s Company Sconces: In Common With Wall Tile: The Fine Line Wallpaper: Morris & Co. 

The post Windy City Renovation appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Business.

Above photo: Kitchen by Claudia Stimmel Interiors with Bell Cabinetry through Construction Resources; photo credit: Jeff Herr

Primary bathroom specifications by Claudia Stimmel Interiors; decorating by The Selective Desig; photo credit: David Christensen

This year’s Southeastern Designer Showhouse will be held at a residence located in the highly coveted Chastain Park area of Sandy Springs. The nearly 13,000-square-foot home is designed in a refined European transitional style, blending classic architectural detailing with a modern, livable sensibility. The exterior features timeless elements including a charming front chimney, charcoal slate roof, and brick façade accented with limestone, creating a sophisticated yet welcoming presence. Inside, the home balances structure and softness through curved plaster walls, herringbone wood floors, and richly layered textures, while a moody palette of natural stone, wide-plank hardwoods, custom cabinetry by Bell Cabinetry through Construction Resources, and luxe metal finishes underscores the transitional aesthetic. The result is a residence that feels both enduring and fresh—elegant, tailored, and thoughtfully designed for contemporary family living. Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles is working with 19 top designers across the Southeast and several companies to bring the home to life and create a memorable spring event. 

Outdoor kitchen by Design Galleria Kitchen and Bath Studio; photo credit: David Christensen

“We’re excited to have so many renowned designers and partners contributing to this year’s 11th annual event, making this home truly breathtaking,” says Elizabeth Ralls, publisher of Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles. “We’re also proud to partner with our local beneficiary, Solidarity Sandy Springs, to support their mission of providing access to fresh, nutritious food to those affected by food insecurity.” 

Dining room by Helen Hanavich Design with Bungalow Classic; photo credit: David Christensen

The 11th annual Southeastern Designer Showhouse will be open to the public starting Thursday, April 16th. Attendees are invited to explore the home inside and out, experiencing each designer’s signature work throughout the property. The Showhouse will be further activated through a series of events, including a designer panel, gardening class, floral arranging workshop, spring tablescape demonstration, and more. 

Laundry room by BIRD Interiors; photo credit: David Christensen

The Showhouse, located at 4881 Powers Ferry Road Atlanta, GA 30327, will be open to the public for tours Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. through May 10th. Tickets must be purchased in advance online and the full schedule of events can be found at SoutheasternShowhouse.com. No on-site parking is allowed, shuttle parking is provided; for additional information, please visit SoutheasternShowhouse.com. 

Scullery by Claudia Stimmel Interiors; photo credit: David Christensen

Featured Designers & Sponsors: 

• Media Day Sponsor – PDI 
• Foyer + Primary Alcove – Anna Booth, Anna Booth Interiors 
• Stair Hall, Main- and Lower-Level Hallway, Lower-Level Powder Room – Renee Chiarelli, The Design Editors 
• Dining Room – Helen Hanavich, Helen Hanavich Interior Design in collaboration with Randy & Courtney Tilinski of Bungalow Classic (honorary chairs) 
• Study + Vestibule – Chris Holt, Holt Interiors 
• Living Room – Kim Mauney, Kim Mauney Interiors 
• Primary Bedroom – Lauren Lowe, Lauren Elaine Interiors 
• Primary Bathroom + His-and-Her Closets – Meredith McKenzie, The Selective Design 
• Kitchen, Scullery, Breakfast Room, Powder Room, + Interior Specifications – Claudia Stimmel, Simplicity a Southern Lifestyle in collaboration with Bell Cabinetry through Construction Resources 
• Family Room – Jimmy Stanton, Stanton Home Furnishings 
• Mudroom, Powder Room, Friends’ Entry – Dorothy McGhee, McGhee Studios 
• Outdoor Kitchen & Covered Porch – Suzanne Kasler, Suzanne Kasler Interiors in collaboration with McKinnon and Harris 
• Outdoor Kitchen – Matthew Quinn, Design Galleria Kitchen and Bath Studio 
• Jr. Primary Bedroom + Bathroom – Betsy McBride Sehgal, Harrison Design 
• Bedroom + Bathroom #1 – Layton Campbell, J Layton Interiors 
• Bedroom + Bathroom #2 – Marianna Lane, Marianna Lane Interiors 
• Bedroom + Bathroom #3 – Bowdre Longo, Bowdre Longo Interiors 
• Second-Level Lounge – Isabel Ladd, Isabel Ladd Interiors 
• Upper Hallway + Laundry Room – Sarah Knochel, Bird Interiors 
• In-Laws Suite, Back Stair Hall, Bathroom #6 – UpCountry Home 
• Game Room + Bar – Alexandre Fleuren, Alexandre Fleuren Interiors 
• Golf Simulator – Gabrielle Picard, Gabrielle Picard Designs with Southern Simulator 
• Exercise Room + Wellness Center – Claudia Stimmel, Simplicity a Southern Lifestyle with Modern Gym Design

The post The 2026 Southeastern Designer Showhouse appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Business.

Material,Texture and Color

The first material chosen by the Honeycomb team was the fluted travertine tile from Clé. Its rounded profile echos the curves of the 11-foot coved ceiling. “It really set the tone for everything else in the space,” said Lovato, who added that the clients embraced the bold choice.

The designer specified 12×12 black marble tiles for the flooring, complementing the black marble bar- and table-tops. Rich walnut cabinetry at the bar and the banquette completes the palette.

Layered materials and thoughtful detailing give the bar an inviting yet elevated presence. The assertive wood grains and softly ribbed surfaces ground the space, while aged brass fixtures and sculptural lighting add a subtle sense of refinement.

Beverage Bonanza in the Lounge

Pro-quality beverage storage and dispensing systems abound in the lounge, ensuring hosts can attend to their guests’ every request. The back bar is fitted with a Perlick beer tap and a pair of undercounter refrigerators. A 115-square-foot, temperature-controlled wine room is separated from the lounge by a glass wall, ensuring a view of more than 300 bottles of white, red and rosé vintages.

Lovato credits the clients with one of the lounge’s most distinctive features: the Champagne vending machine (again, originally seen on one of their European journeys). They customized the unit with their personal logo, and offer tokens for guests to use to get their own single-serve bottle.

By blending old-world charm with clean, modern lines, Lovato’s lounge design strikes a perfect balance: intimate, timeless and effortlessly sophisticated, it’s ideal for lingering conversations and everyday indulgence.

Sources

Design: Ariana Lovato AKBD, Honeycomb Interiors Tile Installer: Copher Tile and Stone Photography: Lisa Maksoudian Photography Beer Tap: Perlick Cabinets: Barnick Cabinetry Cabinet Hardware: Top Knobs Countertops: Pacific Shore Stones Flooring: Bedrosians Lighting: Visual Comfort Paint: Benjamin Moore Refrigerators: Sub-Zero Switch Plates: Forbes and Lomax Tile: Clé Wine Vending Machine: Moët & Chandon

The post Luxe Lounge and Wine Cellar appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Business.

The existing backyard structure measured approximately 258 square feet on the main level and 124 square feet at the loft. At the time of the renovation, the space was being used for storage; prior to that, it had functioned as an arts and crafts workshop. Historically, the building originated as a carriage house, and later received a porch addition, which was eventually enclosed to create additional interior space.

Overall, the structural and foundation integrity were in good condition. The building had electrical service and a gas line serving a fireplace, but no water, sewer or HVAC connections.

The primary challenge was accommodating multiple programmatic needs – workspace, living area, guest accommodations and full bathroom – within the very limited footprint. The designers addressed this through a highly efficient layout, strategic space planning and careful coordination of utility locations to maximize functionality without compromising comfort.

The clients no longer desired a fireplace, and its removal allowed the architects to significantly improve the efficiency and flexibility of the limited floor area. Eliminating it opened up the plan and made room for more functional living space.

Local Requirements for an ADU

In Washington, DC, a fully enclosed bedroom is not strictly required for an ADU of this type. Given the compact footprint and the clients’ preference for flexibility, the Anthony Wilder team incorporated multi-functional furniture, such as a sofa bed, to accommodate sleeping needs.

The utility connections from the main house dictated the placement of the wet bar and full bathroom, allowing for an efficient and cost-effective infrastructure layout.

A bowed ridge beam in the roof structure presented a challenge. Because the design called for an expanded dormer and larger window openings, the architects took the opportunity to replace the ridge beam to properly support the existing rafters while improving the overall geometry of the ADU.

Sources

Design: Stephanie Terrazas; Shannon Kadwell, CMKBD, Allied ASID; Mike Marion; Anthony Wilder Design/Build Photography: John Cole Photography Cabinetry: American Cedar & Millwork (kitchen), Rejuvenation (bath) Cabinet Hardware: Plank Countertop: Petra Stone Faucets: Signature Hardware Lighting: Shades of Light (bath sconces) Sinks: Elkay Tile: Vallefuoco Toilet: TOTO

The post Creating a Flexible & Functional ADU appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Business.

Lessons in Wabi-Sabi 

The Scottsdale designer has said the Tuscan style is common in her area and that she’s being asked to replace it for a lot of clients. Dark, off-the-shelf cabinetry, polished-granite countertops, beige walls and stone-emulating tile floors defined the space, a far cry from the client’s aesthetic preference of Japandi minimalism. But, with an HOA forbidding changes to the Mediterranean-style exterior, Lerner strove to marry these competing languages so it would feel like the same home inside and out. The happy medium they landed on was wabi-sabi, which Lerner says celebrates natural materials and organic shapes and creates an overwhelming sense of calm as well as a lived-in feel.  

Staying within the existing kitchen’s footprint, her team demoed the old millwork and a window over the original sink, which was filled in to provide more usable space. Custom dark-stained oak cabinetry climbs up to the ceiling on two sides, creates one long work counter on the filled-in window side, and forms two islands at the room’s center. Altogether, they increase storage by 30% and respond to one of the client’s asks: to keep small appliances hidden and off the counter. Swaths of basalt-cream Sapienstone, a nod to the desert city’s sand, form the countertops and lend to the calm wabi-sabi feel, while the material’s soft satin finish addresses a second client ask – to eliminate shiny finishes. 

Since this request extended to metallic surfaces and objects, the designer paneled all the appliances, save for the range and ovens, and utilized push-to-open hardware. (The only exceptions are the fridge and freezer units, which sport discrete, long and slim bar-style pulls stained to match the millwork.) The custom plaster hood over the range, ivory zellige-tile backsplash and limewashed walls and ceiling stick to this directive while also leaning into the wabi-sabi principle of finding beauty in imperfection, cleverly announcing that nothing is cookie-cutter here. 

Striking a Balance 

The old kitchen had a single square island close to the cook wall, but it left the remaining space empty and looking lopsided. Lerner swapped it out for a pair of rectangular islands. Moving the sink from the perimeter to one of the islands enhanced flow and opened the opportunity to create the single uninterrupted worktop along the former sink wall. Meanwhile, the second island provides a dedicated seating counter unimpacted by cooking prep work. A favorite of the designer’s, irregular woven-rope pendants dangle above each island.  

“They’re very organic shapes that fit the wabi-sabi aesthetic,” said Lerner. “Custom and original pieces come with an extra-large price tag, but these fixtures still give that collected look while staying within our client’s budget.”  

Rounding out the kitchen’s new-found palette are white oak floors; a warm welcome compared to the old dark stone-mimicking tiles. Quite pleased with the results of her work, which also included the living room and other non-private zones, the client had her return to remodel the primary bathroom. 

A Quiet Place 

The house’s original Tuscan aesthetic was truly amped up in the old primary bath: The dated vanities, drop-in tub surround and walk-in shower all donned a mosaic border with a scroll design, for instance, and beige travertine-evoking tiles cladded the floors, some of the walls and an arched entrance to the shower. To stay within budget, the team kept all the plumbing in place but ripped out all the fixtures, finishes and shower enclosure to start anew.  

The revamped bath echoes the calming wabi-sabi character of the kitchen through limewashed walls outside of the shower, dark-stained oak vanities, clean lines and lack of sheen. As the client is enamored by the look of integrated elements, Lerner designed single-piece countertops with integrated sloping sinks for the vanities. Cement is also picked up by a new freestanding tub in one corner of the bath and gray porcelain tile flooring throughout.  

The design team recreated the old shower archway, alluding to the house’s original Mediterranean vibe, and clad its soffit with black marble–simulating porcelain tiles, which continue onto the shower walls. Arches repeat in the vanity mirrors, faucets, new shower enclosure window and integrated shelving niche at the tub, but beyond referencing Mediterranean architecture, they serve another purpose. Knowing that one day the client will introduce a significant other, Lerner made sure to add softer elements into the primary bath so it wouldn’t read too masculine. All the arches, limewashed walls, ovoid tub and rounded alabaster pendants above the vanities contribute to this effort.  

According to the designer, the client hasn’t singled out one favorite element of his new bath, but he emphatically approves of the overall uniqueness of the wabi-sabi aesthetic here and throughout the house. Finally, his first house feels like home. 

Sources

Designer: Lauren Lerner, Living with Lolo General Contractor: A-Team Construction Photographer: Stephanie Studer KITCHEN Appliances: Monogram Backsplash: Zia Tile Countertops: Sapienstone Pendants: Palachek Plumbing: Brizo & Rohl Stools: Four Hands Wood Floors: Bedrosians BATHROOM Countertops: Sapienstone Mirrors: Four Hands Pendants: Lucent Light Shop Plumbing: Brizo & Rohl Roman Shade & Fabric: Schumacher Tile Floors: Bedrosians Tub: Native Trails 

The post Before & After: Wabi-Sabi Design in Arizona  appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Business.

The enormity of the project would have alienated most potential buyers, but for an experienced designer, the blank slate was a bonus.  

“There was a sort of kitchen design, but I was not in agreement with whatever had been planned,” said Carver, lead designer at Pensacola-based In Detail Interiors. “I didn’t have to rip out anything, and I was able to customize every aspect of the house.” 

Without making structural changes, Carver, aided by her father and now-husband, took on some of the work herself, renovating the kitchen, two bathrooms and three bedrooms. About eight months after buying the home, she moved in.  

Personal Taste in the Kitchen 

The cottage-style house had only a small living room that opened to the kitchen and no space for a dining table. Carver chose to forgo the long island that had been planned in the kitchen in favor of a square island where seating allows diners to face each other. 

Another constraint she faced was her budget, and she worked to keep material and installation costs low when possible. While the island features a pricey marble, the perimeter countertops are a leathered black granite that looks like soapstone but was less expensive. Carver laid the zellige-look backsplash tile herself.  

Knowing she wanted a dramatic range, she prioritized that and waited for sales to purchase other appliances. Above the range, a plaster hood was transformed by a faux finisher In Detail Interiors works with often.  

Carver’s industry knowledge helped her complete the project, and because it was her own home, she enjoyed the freedom to design a space that was atypical of the white and blue kitchens indicative of the coastal area.  

“We don’t always get to do a moody look,” she said. “The darker cabinets with darker countertops and a bold marble – those materials were something I wanted to try.” 

Meant to Be 

In the guest bathroom, Carver again achieved a detailed, intentional look by leveraging her design expertise to enhance cost-effective product and material selections. To begin, she purchased the vanity at The Home Depot, but she changed the pulls, topped it with a basic Carrara marble countertop and had the fabricator add a shaped backsplash with scallops on the sides.  

“It was not much more expensive, but the impact is significant,” said the designer.  

The shower features the same zellige-look tile used in the kitchen in another color, offering a handmade feel with an interesting glaze. The floor tile is one that had come up as an option on multiple projects but was never selected by a client, and Carver was excited to use it in her own home. In fact, the style is such a perfect fit that she was asked whether it was original to the house more than once.   

Her Own Client  

Completing a renovation of her own home gave Carver a new appreciation for what clients go through when they face decision overload.  

“As a designer, you see so many things, and you get excited about so many things,” she said. “It’s hard to narrow it down. It’s hard to commit when there are so many ways you can go.” 

But her knowledge allowed her to balance her budget while executing a project that looks purposeful, not inexpensive. She has since sold the house – she took the range with her – and was pleased that it sold fast despite, or perhaps because of, its dramatic kitchen.  

Sources 

Designer: Libby Drew Carver, Lead Designer, In Detail Interiors Photographer: Steven Gray KITCHEN Backsplash: TileBar Bar Stools: Four Hands Countertops: Black Mist Antiqued & Calacatta Vagli Cabinet Paint: Benjamin Moore Cabinet Hardware & Pot Rail: Pepe & Carols Cabinets: Paulk Woodworking Dishwasher: Whirlpool Faucets: Rohl Flooring: original red oak Hood: Paulk Woodworking with Big Finish Plaster Application Lighting: Regina Andrew Range: Hallman Roman Shade: Fabricut Refrigerator: LG Sink: Lowes Ventilation: Kobe BATHROOM Countertop: Carrara Marble Faucets: Delta & Kingston Brass Flooring: Bedrosians Lighting: Hudson Valley Lighting Mirror: Gabby Home Paint: Benjamin Moore Shower Tile: TileBar Showerhead: Delta Sink: Kraus Vanity: The Home Depot 

The post The Lived-in Look in Pensacola, Florida appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Business.

Converting a Raw Basement Into a Code-Compliant ADU

The project started with grinding and sealing the original concrete floor to make it level for easy installation of finish materials, and providing as much ceiling height as possible to meet the code height requirement of 7 feet. Additionally, the original waste drain needed to move, requiring a portion of the concrete floor to be jackhammered up to provide a positive connection for the specified shower drain and other plumbing fixtures.

Next came installing a 2″ x 6″ interior perimeter framing wall for R-21 insulation, removing the forced-air furnace and air handler in favor of ductless mini splits (there are two installed in the ADU with three more on the upper floors of the home) and the code-required egress windows and window wells – which have the added benefit of providing natural light to the subterranean space. The brick fireplace structure could not be removed and was clad in framing and drywall.

The staircase connecting the basement to the main floor of the home was rebuilt to meet code requirements for tread/riser depth and height. If desired, a locking door can be installed at the bottom of the staircase, but for the near term the space is intended for a family member with impaired vision.

Adding ADA Design Elements to the ADU

Once the structural and code-compliant aspects of the project were met, the design came to fruition as a wheelchair-accessible abode. The compact space feels generously proportioned with a fully functioning kitchen and plenty of storage/counter space that can accommodate two people (or a wheelchair user) and a wet-room-style bathroom that is safe, accommodating and has sufficient room for a caregiver, if needed.

The combined entry, dining room and living room facilitates socializing and entertaining with comfort and ease. The ‘private’ office/dressing room (including a thoughtfully organized closet) and bedroom provides a beautifully structured separation between the ADU’s public and private spaces. The linen closet has interior lighting and can be accessed from both the living room and the bathroom. The coat closet has been divided to provide specific storage needs beyond coats such as a vacuum and brooms.

The materials throughout the ADU were selected for their high durability and low maintenance characteristics, especially the linoleum and porcelain tile flooring, quartz countertops and maple cabinetry. The colorful finishes and thoughtful lighting create a bright, beautiful and inviting interior in a geographical area known for gray skies. High-contrast materials were used to facilitate wayfinding and ease of identification.

The homeowners are currently using the space while a master suite addition is built onto their home. Once the addition is complete, they will be eagerly awaiting the arrival of a family member to occupy the ADU.

Sources

Design: Molly McCabe, AKBD, CGP, CAPS, CLIPP, McCabe By Design LLC Photography: Emily Barrows Photography KITCHEN Cabinets: Dura Supreme Cabinet Hardware: Top Knobs Cooktop, Dishwasher, Oven: Bosch Faucet: Moen Flooring: Marmoleum by Forbo Refrigerator: Fisher & Paykel Sink: Ruvati Tile: Arizona Tile BATH Cabinets: Dura Supreme Cabinet Hardware: Top Knobs Faucets, Shower Fittings, Towel Ring: Grohe Flooring: Crossville Lighting: Paris Mirror Shower Seat: Freedom Showers Balance Bars: Moen Sink: Nameeks Tile: Marca Corona, Ann Sacks Toilet: Kohler Washer/Dryer: GE Profile LIVING/DINING AREA Flooring: Marmoleum by Forbo

The post Accessible ADU in a Basement Setting appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Business.

As many a story goes, it was through a friend of a friend of a friend that Ethan Greenfeld, founder and principal designer at Ethan Charles Design, came to work on this home renovation project in Woodland Hills, Calif. The nondescript circa-1930s house presented two major problems for the client: The homeowner, a working mother, had to share the house’s only full bathroom with her two teenage boys, for one. Second, she is an avid cook of healthy cuisine but had to contend with a small, dysfunctional galley kitchen.

Above: A new wall of cabinetry and island doubled the storage, and the countertop space was tripled in the new kitchen. The flush-mount range hood keeps all the sightlines open. Photo: Public 311 Design

Crafting Her Personal Space

It was partly due to addressing the first issue that the designer was able to resolve the second one. Working with a local architect, the project team demolished a small space just outside the kitchen that comprised a powder room, tight laundry room and open pantry. They replaced it with a 1,000-square-foot addition that would house a new laundry room, a second full bathroom, plenty of storage and, most importantly, a primary suite with its own bath. Finally having a bathroom to herself, the client asked for a spa-like relaxing environment, and Greenfeld complied, implementing all the necessary bells and whistles – a soaking tub, multiple showerheads and a washlet toilet. It’s the shower that steals the show, however.

Adding a bit of color while still keeping things natural, the designer specified pale-pink tiles in an H shape for the shower walls of the master bath. White zellige floor tiles, brushed-gold plumbing fixtures and a white oak vanity round out the mix. Photo: Public 311 Design

“Shower tile is one of my favorite things, and I had always wanted to do a pink bathroom,” said Greenfeld.

When he asked the client about using pink in the bath, he received a resounding “yes.” In his hunt for the right tile, Greenfeld stumbled upon a pink-hued, H-shaped one from Fireclay.

“You really don’t see tile in this shape,” he said, adding that it reminded him of the Hermes “H.”

As each tile must be painstakingly applied individually, the shower walls – including an inset shelf – are truly a labor of love. Gold fixtures and fittings installed here read a bit like rose gold thanks to the tile reflection.

Originally, the homeowner had requested farmhouse style for her personal bath but Greenfeld refused because he feels farmhouse is dead and buried. He convinced her instead to go with a more natural, organic and contemporary take on farmhouse. The tiles used on the floors throughout – as well as on walls by the soaking tub – honor that take with their white brick format but are zellige in make, adding an artisanal look. Meanwhile, instead of slab fronts on the white-oak vanity, the designer chose a slatted surface, which echoes beadboard walls one might see in farmhouse-style bathrooms.

Home Renovation Creates an Open Space

With the new addition positioned to the side of the house off the existing kitchen and dining room, the designer took advantage by carving a sliver of the addition’s footprint to nudge the width of the dining room and kitchen just a bit. Then he removed the wall between kitchen and dining, creating one visually bigger and brighter space.

The revised parameters enabled the design team to install a new side wall of floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, with space enough to perfectly fit the new refrigerator. These cabinets function as a new pantry the homeowner now has direct access to while cooking, as well as a place to stash some cookware that might otherwise create clutter. For instance, there’s an appliance garage for items that would typically take up counter space – such as a coffeemaker, blender and toaster – with a lift-and-retract door, a base that slides out and an interior light. This simple touch is the client’s favorite part of the kitchen, according to Greenfeld.

The sink-wall countertop wraps around a corner and extends into the former breakfast nook. Here, a beverage fridge and pass-through windows provide easy access to the outdoor deck. Photo: Public 311 Design

Along the sink wall, new base cabinetry topped by a quartz countertop extends to a recessed section that was previously a breakfast nook. Here, new pass-through windows create a direct connection between a beverage fridge in the extended counter and the backyard deck. All the perimeter cabinetry was finished in a light-green tone the designer is admittedly now obsessed with. This came about because the homeowner likes neutrals but also a slight pop of color. The same zellige tile from the primary bath, but in a creamier tone that complements the chosen green, makes up the backsplash.

Center of Attention

The removal of the galley wall that separated the kitchen from the dining room not only opened sightlines but freed up space to implement a 5-by-8-foot island. Constructed from rift white oak, the island contains a six-burner range and storage and supports a quartz countertop, bringing the usable surface-area total from 24 to 75 square feet.

As for a range hood above the burners, the designer was strongly against one that hangs down because they impede the line of sight. And a downdraft unit would have taken up too much cabinet space. In the end, he specified the Zephyr Lux Island range hood, which doesn’t at all protrude. The result is a clean-lined design where the hood almost disappears into the ceiling.

With this remodeled kitchen, the client finally has more than enough storage and functionality for everyday routines, as well as a visually open and spacious backdrop for entertaining at home.

The existing kitchen was a galley with limited storage and counter space, the latter of which was riddled with smaller appliances and cookware because of the lack of storage. This made it a dysfunctional room for the client, an avid cook.

The new kitchen is completely open to the dining area and features an island, side wall of cabinetry and extended cabinetry in the former breakfast nook, now rendered redundant. The addition’s primary bath features all the creature comforts the homeowner desired, including a generous shower, soaking tub, washlet toilet and double sink vanity.

Sources for Home Renovation in Woodland Hills

DESIGNER: Ethan Charles Design; PHOTOGRAPHY: Public 311 Design KITCHEN CABINETS: A Cut Above Woodworks; COUNTERTOPs: Q Quartz; DISHWASHER & REFRIGERATOR: Bosch; FAUCET: Brizo; FLOORING: Karastan; HOOD & WINE FRIDGE: Zephyr; MICROWAVE & RANGE: Monogram; PAINT: Benjamin Moore; SCONCES: Hudson Valley Lighting; SINK: Shaws; TILE: Riad Tile BATHROOM CABINETS: A Cut Above Woodworks; COUNTERTOPS: Stone Industry; FAUCETS & SHOWER FITTINGS: Brizo; FLOORING: Riad Tile; HARDWARE: Top Knobs; PAINT: Benjamin Moore; SCONCES: Hudson Valley Lighting; SHOWER WALLS: Fireclay Tile; SINK: Kohler; TOILET: TOTO; TUB: Signature Hardware

The post Home Renovation Transforms a 1930s House in Woodland Hills, California appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Business.

High Point = A Turning Point

Two years ago, I lost a project I was fully qualified to lead. It was new construction, a second home and 90% in my wheelhouse. The deciding factor was furnishings. I addressed them too lightly in the scope and fees, and another designer focused on furnishings won the project. It was a hard lesson and a clarifying one. If I wanted to serve clients holistically, my offerings needed to reflect the full experience of living in a space.

Expanding With Intention

I am not making an overnight leap into full-home furnishing. I am expanding deliberately by beginning in and around the rooms I already know intimately. I am layering in tables, seating, cushions and pillows, rugs, blinds, accessories and the soft goods that elevate the spaces in which I have long specialized. It feels a little like going back to school, except I am bringing 28 years of business systems, technical knowledge, client trust and industry experience with me.

One of my favorite purchases this year was a glass and metal table from Charleston Forge. When it shipped from North Carolina, I suddenly needed to navigate receivers, freight logistics and white-glove delivery. This is an entirely different workflow from cabinetry arriving directly to a residence. I leaned on colleagues through the Northwest Society of Interior Designers, the only regional trade association in the Pacific Northwest, where I will be serving as president next year. They offered immediate guidance and connected me with a trusted local receiver. The value of a broad, engaged network was unmistakable.

What I Saw at High Point Market: The Rise of Neuroaesthetics

The theme running through High Point this year was neuroaesthetics, the study of how our environments influence emotional and cognitive well-being. It is a natural evolution of the wellness design principles I teach, including biophilia, universal design, sustainability, environmental health, air and water quality and WELL Building methodologies.

I attended an all-day workshop on the neuroscience of design, and it reinforced what many of us in kitchen and bath already practice instinctively: We are designing for the human nervous system, not just the visual composition.

Roberta Schilling Collection. Photo: Paula Kennedy

One standout showroom piece captured this beautifully. It was a sculptural art installation designed to double as acoustic treatment (above). I shared it online with a sentiment that feels true to where our industry is heading: Art doubles as function for wellness in the comfort of our spaces.

Design Trends Supporting the Shift

Charleston Forge. Photo: Paula Kennedy

Across Market, several themes aligned with this wellness-focused direction:

• Organic shapes and soft geometry
• Mixed materials such as glass, metal, stone and warm woods
• Performance fabrics and durable textiles
• Natural textures with biophilic influence
• Pieces that blend sensory comfort with aesthetics

These were not just trends. They were reflections of how people want to feel in their homes.

Looking Ahead

Kitchen and bath will always be the center of my professional world. NKBA and KBIS are my anchors, the association and show that shaped my entire career. High Point Market is a natural extension that allows me to complete the spaces I design with depth and intention.

This year’s HPMKT did not just expand my product knowledge. It deepened my commitment to designing homes that support wellness, comfort and creative expression. After 28 years, this evolution feels less like a reinvention and more like a homecoming, arriving at a fuller, more holistic version of the work I have always loved.

—Paula Kennedy, CMKBD, CLIPP, CACC is the founder of Timeless Kitchen Design, located in the greater Seattle area

The post How High Point Is Shaping My Next Chapter appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Business.

Wide-Open Spaces 

Although the existing kitchen was spacious at about 260 square feet, its choppy layout of disjointed countertops and quirky components – such as a triangular island at the room’s center – proved impractical and disruptive to the natural flow of prepping and cooking. It also didn’t give the wife the direct line of sight she desired to watch over the children while working in the kitchen. Finally, the combined countertop space was insufficient, especially should the cooking turn into a family affair.   

To tackle all these issues, Davilman worked with KTM Architect, who helped open and rejigger the first-floor plan substantially. In addition to ripping out and repositioning the home’s main staircase, the team opened the dining room by taking down two walls: one that demarcated a hallway between the dining and family rooms and another that separated the dining room from the staircase and an adjacent alcove space. The wall separating the kitchen from the dining area was also demolished to provide seamless flow between cooktop and tabletop. With these key spaces now open to each other, the project teams were able to carve out spaces at the back of the kitchen for a laundry room and butler’s pantry – which added significant storage and prep space – without making the kitchen feel small.   

Singing the Blues 

The teams removed the existing yellow-toned wood cabinetry and countertops, which were made of a dated greenish-black granite, as well as appliances and fixtures to make way for gleaming white cabinetry anchored by quartzite with blue, gray and white swirls.   

“I really wanted the clients to choose and fall in love with a slab, but we didn’t know how prominently we were going to feature it, as we were still in the design phase,” said Davilman.   

Once the clients chose it, however, the designer felt a stone so striking belonged behind the cooktop, as well as on the island. After cladding the cooktop’s backsplash, she used the rest of the stone to top the extra-deep island – creating an overhang where the children could do homework or play – and wrap down one side all the way to the floor.   

The sink wall, to one side of the island, has a ceramic tile backsplash that appears white but actually has a very pale green-blue undertone. In the butler’s pantry, the backsplash switches over to white, but the cabinets are drenched in a vibrant and lighter navy blue. Here, and elsewhere along the kitchen’s perimeter, the countertops are white engineered quartz. Opposite the sink, on the other side of the island, white-paneled fridge and freezer units blend in with the kitchen cabinetry and sit next to new wall ovens.   

As the kitchen overlooks the dining room, the dining chairs reference the stone centerpiece with blue, gray and white back fabric, while the seats are upholstered in a textile with metallic sheen. This carries over into the dining room’s new wet bar (formerly the staircase-adjacent alcove), where eye-catching  shimmery, almost metallic blue tiles clad the wall above a hammered stainless sink.   

Room to Bathe 

Like the kitchen, the primary bath suffered from an outdated palette and inefficient layout. Wedged in the corner between the drop-in tub and toilet was a tight shower with an awkward angled entry. A makeup table accompanied by a massive mirror took up nearly the entire window-side wall, and the overall palette was very beige. Fortunately, the design team was able to work within the existing bath footprint after removing all these impediments.   

One of the clients’ requisites was a standalone soaking tub. Davilman said the wife really is a bather who actually uses the tub and doesn’t just have it for show. What she didn’t care for, however, was the extra-wide makeup table. So,with that removed, the designer positioned a new soaking tub along the window wall which, gained another window opening in lieu of the makeup table’s oversized mirror. A more appropriately sized table and wall mirror now sit in place of the old drop-in tub, while the toilet was shifted into the corner where the old shower stood. This move made space for a larger steam shower facing the windows.  

Bling once again finds its way into the design, this time in a carved and hand-painted marble shower wall tile that possesses gold undertones and catches the now abundant sunlight. To complement these tiles, the homeowners chose a glass mosaic that has some beige but mixes it with a lot of pearlescent browns, gold, bluish-gray and ivory for the shower ceiling and shelf niches.   

“The clients really didn’t shy away from color, and they loved the depth and richness of color in this product, said Davilman.   

The only element to stay in its predecessor’s spot, the all-new double vanity features cabinetry that picks up on the mosaic’s deep dark coffee brown. And tying the bath design altogether, the designer added the finishing touch of a “frame” around the vanity mirror composed of the very same mosaic.  

In terms of lessons learned on this project, Davilman said one thing that was reinforced on is how important great communication is among all the team members.   

“No matter how perfect plans look on paper, there are always items that come up once you’re into the construction phase, and it’s important to be able to quickly brainstorm together and make proper decisions,” she added. “Having your team of architect, builder and designer working together from the start ensures a smoother process overall.  

Sources

Designer: ND Interiors Architect: KTM Architect Photographer: Julie Leffell Photography KITCHEN Backsplashes: AKDO & Everest Marble Cabinetry & Hood: Majestic Kitchens & Baths Cooktops & Oven: Wolf Countertops: Everest Marble & PentalQuartz Dishwasher: Bosch Dining Room Chandelier: Modern Forms Faucets: Delta & Kohler Freezer & Fridge: Sub-Zero Hardware: Sietto Hardware & Top Knobs Microwave: Sharp Pantry Fridge Drawers: GE Monogram Pendants: Laura Kirar Sinks: Blanco & Nantucket Sinks BATH Cabinetry: Majestic Kitchens & Baths Countertop & Shower Seat: PentalQuartz Faucets, Shower Fixtures & Tub Filler: Brizo Floor Tile: AKDO Hardware: Top Knobs Mosaics: Terra Tile and Marble Sconces: Visual Comfort & Co. Shower Wall Tile: Elalux Tile Sinks: Kohler Tub: Fleurco 

The post Dated and Confused 1980s Kitchen and Bath Transformation appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Business.