This show stopper, Houston Heights, impressive master bath proves just how much you can do when your space is limited. Universal Gray Sherwin Williams was used throughout the house. White shaker cabinetry with 10" chrome cabinet handles. Venatino Quartz was used to give a bit of warmth. Vintage and chrome 3 piece faucets with square undermount sinks and crystal lighting to give this place a bit of shimmer.

Reed Ewing

The home wasn't built with a bathroom, so we tried to imagine what it could have looked like had it been added in the 20's, the period of the existing clawfoot tub. The Greek key motif added some interest, the console sink saved space in this tight bath. The wainscoting is nearly entirely original, a few rotted boards got replaced using wood salvaged from elsewhere.

Design & Build Team: Anchor Builders, Photographer: Andrea Rugg Photography

The bathroom layout was changed, opening up and simplifying the space. New fixtures were chosen to blend well with the vintage aesthetic. The tile flows seamlessly from the hand-set 1" hex pattern in the floor to the cove base, subway, and picture rail, all in a matte-finish ceramic tile. We built the medicine cabinet to match the windows of the house as well as the cabinets George Ramos Woodworking built for the kitchen and sunroom. Photo: Jeff Schwilk

Wave tile shower surround with custom glass gradient glass detail. Kate Falconer Photography

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   The Klimala’s and their three kids are no strangers to moving, this being their fifth house in the same town over the 20-year period they have lived there. “It must be the 7-year itch, because every seven years, we seem to find ourselves antsy for a new project or a new environment. I think part of it is being a designer, I see my own taste evolve and I want my environment to reflect that. Having easy access to wonderful tradesmen and a knowledge of the process makes it that much easier”. This time, Klimala’s fell in love with a somewhat unlikely candidate. The 1950’s ranch turned cape cod was a bit of a mutt, but it’s location 5 minutes from their design studio and backing up to the high school where their kids can roll out of bed and walk to school, coupled with the charm of its location on a private road and lush landscaping made it an appealing choice for them. “The bones of the house were really charming. It was typical 1,500 square foot ranch that at some point someone added a second floor to. Its sloped roofline and dormered bedrooms gave it some charm.” With the help of architect Maureen McHugh, Klimala’s gutted and reworked the layout to make the house work for them. An open concept kitchen and dining room allows for more frequent casual family dinners and dinner parties that linger. A dingy 3-season room off the back of the original house was insulated, given a vaulted ceiling with skylights and now opens up to the kitchen. This room now houses an 8’ raw edge white oak dining table and functions as an informal dining room. “One of the challenges with these mid-century homes is the 8’ ceilings. I had to have at least one room that had a higher ceiling so that’s how we did it” states Klimala. The kitchen features a 10’ island which houses a 5’0” Galley Sink. The Galley features two faucets, and double tiered rail system to which accessories such as cutting boards and stainless steel bowls can be added for ease of cooking. Across from the large sink is an induction cooktop. “My two teen daughters and I enjoy cooking, and the Galley and induction cooktop make it so easy.” A wall of tall cabinets features a full size refrigerator, freezer, double oven and built in coffeemaker. The area on the opposite end of the kitchen features a pantry with mirrored glass doors and a beverage center below. The rest of the first floor features an entry way, a living room with views to the front yard’s lush landscaping, a family room where the family hangs out to watch TV, a back entry from the garage with a laundry room and mudroom area, one of the home’s four bedrooms and a full bath. There is a double sided fireplace between the family room and living room. The home features pops of color from the living room’s peach grass cloth to purple painted wall in the family room. “I’m definitely a traditionalist at heart but because of the home’s Midcentury roots, I wanted to incorporate some of those elements into the furniture, lighting and accessories which also ended up being really fun. We are not formal people so I wanted a house that my kids would enjoy, have their friends over and feel comfortable.” The second floor houses the master bedroom suite, two of the kids’ bedrooms and a back room nicknamed “the library” because it has turned into a quiet get away area where the girls can study or take a break from the rest of the family. The area was originally unfinished attic, and because the home was short on closet space, this Jack and Jill area off the girls’ bedrooms houses two large walk-in closets and a small sitting area with a makeup vanity. “The girls really wanted to keep the exposed brick of the fireplace that runs up the through the space, so that’s what we did, and I think they feel like they are in their own little loft space in the city when they are up there” says Klimala. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Carlos Vergara For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Photo by Ellen McDermott

A farmhouse bathroom with marble tile, polished nickel fixtures, and white board and batten

Fully encapsulated by tile and glass, the wet room features a free standing Maax tub, multi-function showering experience with Brizo Virage valves and body sprays as well as a useful corner seat.This project was a joint effort between J. Stephen Peterson, architect and Riddle Construction & Design.

Jay Winter

Walk In Shower, Glass Paneling, Shower Seat

Michael J. Lee

AT6 Architecture - Boor Bridges Architecture - Semco Engineering Inc. - Stephanie Jaeger Photography