Multi-functional home office in coastal style.

Modern Home Office by Burdge Architects and Associates in Malibu, CA. Berlyn Photography

When it comes to finding inspiration for your house or apartment design, there are a variety of routes you can take. For some, it is important to dive into the latest trends in fashion and art, using only the most popular decor pieces and embracing the color palettes seen on runways or in home and garden magazines. But for others, it’s simply about discovering what feels most like “home.” Ashley Steele, the creator of A Styled Affair, was part of the latter group. “Since my husband and I were moving into a space that was previously owned, I needed a way to make it feel like it was truly ours, and unique to us,” she told our team. A Styled Affair sprang from Ashley’s passion for fashion, and need for a creative outlet. But it soon became more than that. She developed a following, and it quickly became a place where she could share her personal style, travel adventures, and lifestyle tips. “While the blogging industry has become overwhelmed with people sharing their favorite home decor or make-up tips, I think what sets A Styled Affair apart is my commitment to stay true to my unique taste. I have always marched to the beat of my own drum – and that carries through in the clothes I wear, the decor I select for our home, and the travels I plan.” Paintzen connected with Ashley as she was settling into her new home in Boston’s Seaport District. Although she and her husband have lived in Boston for almost 8 years, they were used to smaller, more traditional spaces. Their new home is much bigger, and more modern, than any place they lived before. “I wanted to select colors of comfort, simplicity, and sophistication so we could elevate the space and make it feel more like a home.” Ashley also accurately pointed out that new construction can sometimes feel a little cold and sterile, almost industrial. “I wanted our home to feel like a peaceful oasis after coming in from the bustling city.” Ashley chose soft white paint for her walls to bring a sense of comfort and zen. With lots of wall decor, art work and carefully selected furniture, the walls serve as a clean and comfortable palette, and allowed her more freedom when making her other design decisions throughout the space. Ashley kept the overall palette fairly neutral, and incorporated “modern bohemian” inspired decor throughout the home; the final product was clean and simple, and catered to her style. We asked Ashley what she was most excited for now. “I’m most excited to continue to find new decor pieces to compliment the paint colors and decor we’ve already found for the space. We have been really patient with decorating and selected each piece really careful to make sure it is cohesive and flows from room to room. I’m looking forward to enjoying the space with my husband and dog, and entertaining friends and family in the spring and summer!” A few final questions for Ashley on her experience with Paintzen: “I would highly recommend Paintzen to anyone, especially those that live in the city. There are so many different paint companies and contractors to choose from but going through Paintzen simplified the process and made me feel comfortable that we had the right team working on our space. Their platform for booking services and choosing paint colors made the process seamless and was a great way to keep track of what we booked and chose for colors. Most importantly, the customer service team was outstanding whenever we had a question or needed to make an adjustment.” And advice she would give someone repainting their home: “Patience. I would recommend taking your time and doing your research before selecting paint colors. Lighting changes every color so make sure to bring paint swatches and samples into the space and look at it throughout the day to see the different tones that the light will pick up. I would also recommend researching color trends and recommendations for colors in the family you are looking for. We found our living room color through a blog post listing top-used colors by interior designers and it looks amazing.”

Ce grand appartement familial haussmannien est situé dans le 11ème arrondissement de Paris. Nous avons repensé le plan existant afin d'ouvrir la cuisine vers la pièce à vivre et offrir une sensation d'espace à nos clients. Nous avons modernisé les espaces de vie de la famille pour apporter une touche plus contemporaine à cet appartement classique, tout en gardant les codes charmants de l'haussmannien: moulures au plafond, parquet point de Hongrie, belles hauteurs...

Saphire Home Office. featuring beautiful custom cabinetry and furniture

The classy and upscale appeal of European stucco will never go out of style. Embellished with fieldstone accents, the Finley’s façade is as welcoming as it is eye-catching. But the real treat is inside…with a floor plan that is sure to please! The master suite was designed to be a true haven for its resident. Its private sitting room is an extension of the suite, with dimensions generous enough to house plenty of furniture or exercise equipment. Unlike many of its one-level counterparts, the Finley has two living rooms: one serving as the home’s focal point and one adjoining the breakfast area for informal gatherings.

To give this condo a more prominent entry hallway, our team designed a large wooden paneled wall made of Brazilian plantation wood, that ran perpendicular to the front door. The paneled wall. To further the uniqueness of this condo, we added a sophisticated wall divider in the middle of the living space, separating the living room from the home office. This divider acted as both a television stand, bookshelf, and fireplace. The floors were given a creamy coconut stain, which was mixed and matched to form a perfect concoction of slate grays and sandy whites. The kitchen, which is located just outside of the living room area, has an open-concept design. The kitchen features a large kitchen island with white countertops, stainless steel appliances, large wooden cabinets, and bar stools. Project designed by Skokie renovation firm, Chi Renovation & Design. They serve the Chicagoland area, and it's surrounding suburbs, with an emphasis on the North Side and North Shore. You'll find their work from the Loop through Lincoln Park, Skokie, Evanston, Wilmette, and all of the way up to Lake Forest.

Juliette JEM

Indy Ferrufino EIF Images eifimages@gmail.com

Randy Foulds

John Grannen photographer Design Kimberlee Marie Design

Beautiful blue painted cabinet with rustic wood paneleing on one wall. Storage everywhere for all of the clients needs. File drawers down below.