Master bedroom. Alise O'Brien Photography

Lisa Weatherbee

The linear fireplace with stainless trim creates a dramatic focal point in this contemporary family room. Dave Adams Photography

Jonathon Tabensky

Top Kat Photo

John Magor Photography. This Butler's Pantry became the "family drop zone" in this 1920's mission style home. Brilliant green walls and earthy brown reclaimed furniture bring the outside gardens in. The perching bird lanterns and dog themed art and accessories give it a family friendly feel. A little fun and whimsy with the chalk board paint on the basement stairwell wall and a carved wood stag head watching your every move. The closet was transformed by The Closet Factory with great storage, lucite drawer fronts and a stainless steel laminate countertop. The window treatments are a creative and brilliant final touch.

Doublespace Photography

Stone veneer can really add highlights to your home and create visual interest when you are adding a product like Hardie Board Cement Board. It is important to find the right mixes of stone veneer and the exterior siding. Think of stone as the accent to highlight the home.

Asheville 1296 two tone kitchen

We sanded down the original hardwood floorboards throughout the property and added a lovely rich dark stain, making it both chic and cosy. The tongue and groove panelling really adds to the cosy cottage feel of the space. We replaced the fireplace hearth with warm limestone - both fresh and light. The furniture is mostly antiques. We opened up the wall between the living room and kitchen and created an archway with double pocket doors.

My client wanted to keep a tub, but I had no room for a standard tub, so we gave him a Japanese style tub which he LOVES. I get a lot of questions on this bathroom so here are some more details... Bathroom size: 8x10 Wall color: Sherwin Williams 6252 Ice Cube Tub: Americh Beverly 40x40x32 both jetted and airbath

Former closet converted to ensuite bathroom.

A steel "corner board" was used in place of the common wood corner board. The garage door was treated to blend with the house walls.

Holger Obenaus

West End of Studio Space. Cathy Schwabe Architecture. Photograph by David Wakely

Photo by Alexandra DeFurio. Aidan is a 12-year-old girl who lives with her father half of the time. Her parents are divorced and her father wanted his daughter to be at home in his new bachelor house. He wanted her to feel “understood” and validated as a girl entering into her teen years. The room therefore is sophisticated, yet still young and innocent. It may have “grown up” attributes such as chic English paisley wallpaper by Osborne and Little and a sassy “Like Forever” poster, but it is still comfortable enough to hang out on the flokati rug or on the vintage revamped chair. Aidan was very involved in providing the design inspiration for the room. She had asked for a “beachy” feel and as design professionals know, what takes over in the creative process is the ideas evolve and many either are weeded out or enhanced. It was our job as designers to introduce to Aidan a world beyond Pottery Barn Kids. We incorporated her love of the ocean with a custom, mixed Benjamin Moore paint color in a beautiful turquoise blue. The turquoise color is echoed in the tufted buttons on the custom headboard and trim around the linen roman shades on the window. Aidan wanted a hangout room for her friends. We provided extra seating by adding a vintage revamped chair accessorized with a Jonathan Adler needle point “Love” pillow and a Moroccan pouf from Shabby chic. The desk from West Elm from their Parson’s collection expresses a grown up feel accompanied with the Saarinen Tulip chair. It’s easier for Aidan to do her homework when she feels organized and clutter free. Organization was a big factor is redesigning the room. We had to work around mementos that soon-to-be teenagers collect by the truckloads. A custom bulletin board above the desk is a great place to tack party invitations and notes from friends. Also, the small Moda dresser from Room and Board stores books, magazines and makeup stored in baskets from the Container Store. Aidan loves her room. It is bright and cheerful, yet cheeky and fun. It has a touch of sass and a “beachy” feel. This room will grow with her until she leaves for college and then comes back as a guest. Thanks to her father who wanted her to feel special, she is able to spend half her time in a room that reflects who she is.

Steel Privacy Wall and Fire Pit: Landscape Architecture by Ryan Manning and Ransom Beegles: http://www.rdesignstudios.com