circular floor tile adds dimension to the space.

This young married couple enlisted our help to update their recently purchased condo into a brighter, open space that reflected their taste. They traveled to Copenhagen at the onset of their trip, and that trip largely influenced the design direction of their home, from the herringbone floors to the Copenhagen-based kitchen cabinetry. We blended their love of European interiors with their Asian heritage and created a soft, minimalist, cozy interior with an emphasis on clean lines and muted palettes.

Designed by Banner Day Interiors, these minty green bathroom tiles in a subway pattern add just the right pop of color to this classic-inspired shower. Sample more handmade colors at fireclaytile.com/samples TILE SHOWN 4x8 Tiles in Celadon

A classic black and white bath, in a 1910 home photo by Michele Lee Willson

The blue subway tile provides a focal point in the kids bathroom. The ceiling detail conceals an HVAC access panel. Blackstock Photography

A totally modernized master bath

An Arts & Crafts Bungalow is one of my favorite styles of homes. We have quite a few of them in our Stockton Mid-Town area. And when C&L called us to help them remodel their 1923 American Bungalow, I was beyond thrilled. As per usual, when we get a new inquiry, we quickly Google the project location while we are talking to you on the phone. My excitement escalated when I saw the Google Earth Image of the sweet Sage Green bungalow in Mid-Town Stockton. "Yes, we would be interested in working with you," I said trying to keep my cool. But what made it even better was meeting C&L and touring their home, because they are the nicest young couple, eager to make their home period perfect. Unfortunately, it had been slightly molested by some bad house-flippers, and we needed to bring the bathroom back to it "roots." We knew we had to banish the hideous brown tile and cheap vanity quickly. But C&L complained about the condensation problems and the constant fight with mold. This immediately told me that improper remodeling had occurred and we needed to remedy that right away. The Before: Frustrations with a Botched Remodel The bathroom needed to be brought back to period appropriate design with all the functionality of a modern bathroom. We thought of things like marble countertop, white mosaic floor tiles, white subway tile, board and batten molding, and of course a fabulous wallpaper. This small (and only) bathroom on a tight budget required a little bit of design sleuthing to figure out how we could get the proper look and feel. Our goal was to determine where to splurge and where to economize and how to complete the remodel as quickly as possible because C&L would have to move out while construction was going on. The Process: Hard Work to Remedy Design and Function During our initial design study, (which included 2 hours in the owners’ home), we noticed framed images of William Morris Arts and Crafts textile patterns and knew this would be our design inspiration. We presented C&L with three options and they quickly selected the Pimpernel Design Concept. We had originally selected the Black and Olive colors with a black vanity, mirror, and black and white floor tile. C&L liked it but weren’t quite sure about the black, We went back to the drawing board and decided the William & Co Pimpernel Wallpaper in Bayleaf and Manilla color with a softer gray painted vanity and mirror and white floor tile was more to their liking. After the Design Concept was approved, we went to work securing the building permit, procuring all the elements, and scheduling our trusted tradesmen to perform the work. We did uncover some shoddy work by the flippers such as live electrical wires hidden behind the wall, plumbing venting cut-off and buried in the walls (hence the constant dampness), the tub barely balancing on two fence boards across the floor joist, and no insulation on the exterior wall. All of the previous blunders were fixed and the bathroom put back to its previous glory. We could feel the house thanking us for making it pretty again. The After Reveal: Cohesive Design Decisions We selected a simple white subway tile for the tub/shower. This is always classic and in keeping with the style of the house. We selected a pre-fab vanity and mirror, but they look rich with the quartz countertop. There is much more storage in this small vanity than you would think. The Transformation: A Period Perfect Refresh We began the remodel just as the pandemic reared and stay-in-place orders went into effect. As C&L were already moved out and living with relatives, we got the go-ahead from city officials to get the work done (after all, how can you shelter in place without a bathroom?). All our tradesmen were scheduled to work so that only one crew was on the job site at a time. We stayed on the original schedule with only a one week delay. The end result is the sweetest little bathroom I've ever seen (and I can't wait to start work on C&L's kitchen next). Thank you for joining me in this project transformation. I hope this inspired you to think about being creative with your design projects, determining what works best in keeping with the architecture of your space, and carefully assessing how you can have the best life in your home.

This was a dated and rough space when we began. The plumbing was leaking and the tub surround was failing. The client wanted a bathroom that complimented the era of the home without going over budget. We tastefully designed the space with an eye on the character of the home and budget. We save the sink and tub from the recycling bin and refinished them both. The floor was refreshed with a good cleaning and some grout touch ups and tile replacement using tiles from under the toilet.

main bathroom

VISION AND NEEDS: Our client came to us with a vision for their family dream house that offered adequate space and a lot of character. They were drawn to the traditional form and contemporary feel of a Modern Farmhouse. MCHUGH SOLUTION: In showing multiple options at the schematic stage, the client approved a traditional L shaped porch with simple barn-like columns. The entry foyer is simple in it's two-story volume and it's mono-chromatic (white & black) finishes. The living space which includes a kitchen & dining area - is an open floor plan, allowing natural light to fill the space.

A 1946 bathroom was in need of a serious update to accommodate 2 growing teen/tween boys. Taking it's cue from the navy and gray in the Moroccan floor tiles, the bath was outfitted with splashes of antique brass/gold fixtures, Art Deco lighting (DecoCreationStudio) and artwork by Space Frog Designs.

This 1956 John Calder Mackay home had been poorly renovated in years past. We kept the 1400 sqft footprint of the home, but re-oriented and re-imagined the bland white kitchen to a midcentury olive green kitchen that opened up the sight lines to the wall of glass facing the rear yard. We chose materials that felt authentic and appropriate for the house: handmade glazed ceramics, bricks inspired by the California coast, natural white oaks heavy in grain, and honed marbles in complementary hues to the earth tones we peppered throughout the hard and soft finishes. This project was featured in the Wall Street Journal in April 2022.

Updated hall bathroom.

The client came to us looking for a bathroom remodel for their Glen Park home. They had two seemingly opposing interests—creating a spa getaway and a child-friendly bathroom. The space served many roles. It was the main guest restroom, mom’s get-ready and relax space, and the kids’ stomping grounds. We took all of these functional needs and incorporated them with mom’s aesthetic goals. First, we doubled the medicine cabinets to provide ample storage space. Rounded-top, dark metal mirrors created a soft but modern appearance. Then, we paired these with a wooden floating vanity with black hardware and a simple white sink. This piece brought in a natural, spa feel and made space for the kids to store their step stool. We enveloped the room with a simple stone floor and white subway tiles set vertically to elongate the small space. As the centerpiece, we chose a large, sleek tub and surrounded it in an entirely unique textured stone tile. Tactile and warm, the tile created a soothing, restful environment. We added an inset for storage, plenty of black metal hooks for the kids’ accessories, and modern black metal faucets and showerheads. Finally, we accented the space with orb sconces for a starlet illusion. Once the design was set, we prepared site measurements and permit drawings, sourced all materials, and vetted contractors. We assisted in working with vendors and communicating between all parties. This little space now serves as the portfolio piece of the home.