The challenge with this project was to transform a very traditional house into something more modern and suited to the lifestyle of a young couple just starting a new family. We achieved this by lightening the overall color palette with soft grays and neutrals. Then we replaced the traditional dark colored wood and tile flooring with lighter wide plank hardwood and stone floors. Next we redesigned the kitchen into a more workable open plan and used top of the line professional level appliances and light pigmented oil stained oak cabinetry. Finally we painted the heavily carved stained wood moldings and library and den cabinetry with a fresh coat of soft pale light reflecting gloss paint. Photographer: James Koch

A growing family and the need for more space brought the homeowners of this Arlington home to Feinmann Design|Build. As was common with Victorian homes, a shared bathroom was located centrally on the second floor. Professionals with a young and growing family, our clients had reached a point where they recognized the need for a Master Bathroom for themselves and a more practical family bath for the children. The design challenge for our team was how to find a way to create both a Master Bath and a Family Bath out of the existing Family Bath, Master Bath and adjacent closet. The solution had to consider how to shrink the Family Bath as small as possible, to allow for more room in the master bath, without compromising functionality. Furthermore, the team needed to create a space that had the sensibility and sophistication to match the contemporary Master Suite with the limited space remaining. Working with the homes original floor plans from 1886, our skilled design team reconfigured the space to achieve the desired solution. The Master Bath design included cabinetry and arched doorways that create the sense of separate and distinct rooms for the toilet, shower and sink area, while maintaining openness to create the feeling of a larger space. The sink cabinetry was designed as a free-standing furniture piece which also enhances the sense of openness and larger scale. In the new Family Bath, painted walls and woodwork keep the space bright while the Anne Sacks marble mosaic tile pattern referenced throughout creates a continuity of color, form, and scale. Design elements such as the vanity and the mirrors give a more contemporary twist to the period style of these elements of the otherwise small basic box-shaped room thus contributing to the visual interest of the space. Photos by John Horner

photography by Trent Bell

This hand painted, classic kitchen brings together sophistication with practical family living. The traditional features of an Aga, panelled chimney, ornate mantle and butlers sink sit beautifully alongside the contemporary colour palate, American style fridge freezer and modern drop pendant lighting. Dark granite has been used for the worktops around the wall units with a contrasting travertine worktop on the island unit. There is plenty of storage including under the island and above the fridge. www.rencraft.co.uk

Joe Fletcher Photography

View towards garden door from master bathroom Rick Ueda, photographer

Kristin Zwiers Photography

ASID: First Place, Entire Residence, 2010 Design and furnishings by Lucy Interior Design; Architect: SALA Architects - Eric Odor; Contractor: McNulty Homes; Photo Stylist: David Anger; Photographer: Susan Gilmore www.lucyinteriordesign.com - 612.339.2225

This luxury kitchen is visually stunning and highly functional. The brushed limestone island serves as a prep area, buffet, and a great place for the kids to do homework while dinner is being prepared. Alder cabinetry is fully customized for storage. Lower cabinet drawers provide greater accessibility and ease of use. Two dishwashers provide easier clean up for large groups.

Living room with fireplace and view to front aspect. Torquay, South Devon. Colin Cadle Photography, Photo Styling Jan Cadle. www.colincadle.com

D. Gilbert

The shower is universally designed and has no curb or step at its entry. The drawer pulls are also designed for easy use. A Bonisolli Photography

View from Guest House Garage toward Parking court. Cathy Schwabe, AIA, Designed while at EHDD Architects. Photograph by David Wakely

The master suite in this luxury Raleigh home features: two tier trey ceiling with built in rope lighting around the inside perimeter, dual French door access to the backyard, sitting area, future bar, walk in closet, and his and her bath. Raleigh luxury home builder Stanton Homes.