This 4,000-square foot home is located in the Silverstrand section of Hermosa Beach, known for its fabulous restaurants, walkability and beach access. Stylistically, it’s coastal-meets-traditional, complete with 4 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, a 3-stop elevator and a roof deck with amazing ocean views. The client, an art collector, wanted bold color and unique aesthetic choices. In the living room, the built-in shelving is lined in luminescent mother of pearl. The dining area’s custom hand-blown chandelier was made locally and perfectly diffuses light. The client’s former granite-topped dining table didn’t fit the size and shape of the space, so we cut the granite and built a new base and frame around it. The bedrooms are full of organic materials and personal touches, such as the light raffia wall-covering in the master bedroom and the fish-painted end table in a college-aged son’s room—a nod to his love of surfing. Detail is always important, but especially to this client, so we searched for the perfect artisans to create one-of-a kind pieces. Several light fixtures were commissioned by an International glass artist. These include the white, layered glass pendants above the kitchen island, and the stained glass piece in the hallway, which glistens blues and greens through the window overlooking the front entrance of the home. The overall feel of the house is peaceful but not complacent, full of tiny surprises and energizing pops of color.

One of the main features of the space is the natural lighting. The windows allow someone to feel they are in their own private oasis. The wide plank European oak floors, with a brushed finish, contribute to the warmth felt in this bathroom, along with warm neutrals, whites and grays. The counter tops are a stunning Calcatta Latte marble as is the basket weaved shower floor, 1x1 square mosaics separating each row of the large format, rectangular tiles, also marble. Lighting is key in any bathroom and there is more than sufficient lighting provided by Ralph Lauren, by Circa Lighting. Classic, custom designed cabinetry optimizes the space by providing plenty of storage for toiletries, linens and more. Holger Obenaus Photography did an amazing job capturing this light filled and luxurious master bathroom. Built by Novella Homes and designed by Lorraine G Vale Holger Obenaus Photography

Amazing front porch of a modern farmhouse built by Steve Powell Homes (www.stevepowellhomes.com). Photo Credit: David Cannon Photography (www.davidcannonphotography.com)

This spacious walk-in shower feels like it's own room thanks to the single stair entry and generous knee wall, but the partial glass wall keeps it connected to the rest of the room. An Artistic Tile Mosaic Tile adds texture and plenty of color as well Scott Bergmann Photography

Kate & Keith Photography

Werner Segarra

Create a more modern feel with wide stripes. The light bounces off the shimmery wallpaper.

This gorgeous navy grasscloth is actually a durable vinyl look-alike, doing double duty in this powder room.

Richard Mandelkorn

This guest bath features an elevated vanity with a stone floor accent visible from below the vanity that is duplicate in the shower. The cabinets are a dark grey and are distressed adding to the rustic luxe quality of the room. Photo by Chris Marona Tim Flanagan Architect Veritas General Contractor Finewood Interiors for cabinetry Light and Tile Art for lighting and tile and counter tops.

Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW This family from Wheaton was ready to remodel their kitchen, dining room and powder room. The project didn’t call for any structural or space planning changes but the makeover still had a massive impact on their home. The homeowners wanted to change their dated 1990’s brown speckled granite and light maple kitchen. They liked the welcoming feeling they got from the wood and warm tones in their current kitchen, but this style clashed with their vision of a deVOL type kitchen, a London-based furniture company. Their inspiration came from the country homes of the UK that mix the warmth of traditional detail with clean lines and modern updates. To create their vision, we started with all new framed cabinets with a modified overlay painted in beautiful, understated colors. Our clients were adamant about “no white cabinets.” Instead we used an oyster color for the perimeter and a custom color match to a specific shade of green chosen by the homeowner. The use of a simple color pallet reduces the visual noise and allows the space to feel open and welcoming. We also painted the trim above the cabinets the same color to make the cabinets look taller. The room trim was painted a bright clean white to match the ceiling. In true English fashion our clients are not coffee drinkers, but they LOVE tea. We created a tea station for them where they can prepare and serve tea. We added plenty of glass to showcase their tea mugs and adapted the cabinetry below to accommodate storage for their tea items. Function is also key for the English kitchen and the homeowners. They requested a deep farmhouse sink and a cabinet devoted to their heavy mixer because they bake a lot. We then got rid of the stovetop on the island and wall oven and replaced both of them with a range located against the far wall. This gives them plenty of space on the island to roll out dough and prepare any number of baked goods. We then removed the bifold pantry doors and created custom built-ins with plenty of usable storage for all their cooking and baking needs. The client wanted a big change to the dining room but still wanted to use their own furniture and rug. We installed a toile-like wallpaper on the top half of the room and supported it with white wainscot paneling. We also changed out the light fixture, showing us once again that small changes can have a big impact. As the final touch, we also re-did the powder room to be in line with the rest of the first floor. We had the new vanity painted in the same oyster color as the kitchen cabinets and then covered the walls in a whimsical patterned wallpaper. Although the homeowners like subtle neutral colors they were willing to go a bit bold in the powder room for something unexpected. For more design inspiration go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

The "Dream of the '90s" was alive in this industrial loft condo before Neil Kelly Portland Design Consultant Erika Altenhofen got her hands on it. No new roof penetrations could be made, so we were tasked with updating the current footprint. Erika filled the niche with much needed storage provisions, like a shelf and cabinet. The shower tile will replaced with stunning blue "Billie Ombre" tile by Artistic Tile. An impressive marble slab was laid on a fresh navy blue vanity, white oval mirrors and fitting industrial sconce lighting rounds out the remodeled space.