The large octagonal living room features transom French doors, full-height paneling, a coved ceiling, and dramatic lighting. Hand-planed and waxed to an antique finish, character grade Oak floors are laid in a Herringbone pattern. A formal French regency mantel and wet bar compel residents and guests to chat to one side while the baby grand piano and seating opposite could accommodate a chamber orchestra performance. Woodruff Brown Photography

AFTER - How to bring warmth to a large open eclectic space? Add wallpaper and window treatment

Black walls set off the room's cream furnishings and gold accents. Touches of pink add personality. A huge custom rug unifies the seating and working areas and further contributes to the hushed atmosphere. In order for this room to feel more like a retreat and less like an office, we used regular furniture pieces in non-standard ways. The client’s heirloom dining table serves as a writing table. A pair of brass and glass consoles holds printer, stationery, and files as well as decorative items. A cream lacquered linen sideboard provides additional storage. A pair of cushy swivel chairs serves multiple functions – facing a loveseat and bench to create a cozy seating area, facing each other for intimate discussions, and facing the desk for more standard business meetings.

Photos courtesy of Jesse L Young Photography

Suzi Appel Photography Bea&Co Stylist

Manufacturer: Showplace EVO Style: Maple Pierce Stain: Peppercorn Countertop (Kitchen & Bathrooms): Blue Arras Granite (Eagle Marble & Granite) Countertop (Laundry): Granito Anarelo (Rogers Cabinets Inc.) Sinks & Fixtures: Customer’s Own Designer: Andrea Yeip Builder/Contractor: LaBelle

Pete Helme Photography

This amazing, U-shaped Memorial (Houston, TX 77024) custom kitchen design was influenced by the "The Great Gatsby" era with its custom zinc flared vent hood with nickel plated laminate straps. This terrific hood flares in on the front and the sides. The contrasting finishes help to add texture and character to this fully remodeled kitchen. This hood is considerably wider than the cooktop below. It's actually 60" wide with an open back splash and no cabinets on either side. We love to showcase vent hoods in most of our designs because it serves as a great conversation piece when entertaining family and friends. A good design tip is to always make the vent hood larger than the stove. It makes an incredible statement! The antiqued, mirror glass cabinets feature a faux finish with a furniture like feel. The large back splash features a zig zag design, often called "chevron pattern." The french sconces with nickel plated shades are beautifully displayed on each side of the gorgeous "La Cornue" stove adding bling to the kitchen's magnificence and giving an overall elegant look with easy clean up. Additionally, there are two (2) highbrow chandeliers by Curry & Company, gives the kitchen the love needed to be a step above the norm. The island bar has a farmhouse sink and a full slab of "Fantasy Brown" marble with seating for five. There is tons of storage throughout the kitchen with plenty of drawer and cabinet space on both sides of the island. The sub-zero refrigerator is totally integrated with cupboards and drawers to match. Another advantage of this variety of refrigeration is that you create furniture-style cabinetry. This is a truly great idea for a dateless design transformation in Houston with raised-panel cupboards and paneled appliances. Polished nickel handles, drawer pulls and faucet hardware complete the design.

This dramatic contemporary residence features extraordinary design with magnificent views of Angel Island, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the ever changing San Francisco Bay. The amazing great room has soaring 36 foot ceilings, a Carnelian granite cascading waterfall flanked by stairways on each side, and an unique patterned sky roof of redwood and cedar. The 57 foyer windows and glass double doors are specifically designed to frame the world class views. Designed by world-renowned architect Angela Danadjieva as her personal residence, this unique architectural masterpiece features intricate woodwork and innovative environmental construction standards offering an ecological sanctuary with the natural granite flooring and planters and a 10 ft. indoor waterfall. The fluctuating light filtering through the sculptured redwood ceilings creates a reflective and varying ambiance. Other features include a reinforced concrete structure, multi-layered slate roof, a natural garden with granite and stone patio leading to a lawn overlooking the San Francisco Bay. Completing the home is a spacious master suite with a granite bath, an office / second bedroom featuring a granite bath, a third guest bedroom suite and a den / 4th bedroom with bath. Other features include an electronic controlled gate with a stone driveway to the two car garage and a dumb waiter from the garage to the granite kitchen.

Chad Chenier Photography

We replastered and repainted the kitchen and added two antique iron lighting fixtures over the island. Originally the fixtures were black and were only for holding candles. They were repainted in taupe and newly wired to add some interest and crunch to the modern kitchen.

Stu Morley

Red carpet Hollywood Walk of Fame stars with the kids names was custom made in Hong Kong.

This 1930's small kitchen was in need of expansion. It was closed off to the rest of the house and didn't fit with the modern appliances. Removing a wall and extending the kitchen into the next room created an inviting space open to the dining and family room. Replacing the white painted cabinets with natural white oak custom cabinets gave it a contemporary look with classic touches of marble patterned quartz and handmade subway tile backsplash. The open shelving keeps everyday dishes within easy reach and a place to display artwork.

About 30 pendants were hung at different heights and used to fill an otherwise open and vast space in this unique entry. The patterned hair on hide rug is a custom piece by Dedalo Living. Photo by Emily Minton Redfield

A mixture of stone and brick lends an earthy feel that allows the home to blend with the surrounding lakefront landscape. A series of bay windows on the rear of the home maximizes views from every room.

A mixture of stone and brick lends an earthy feel that allows the home to blend with the surrounding lakefront landscape. An angled courtyard garage and arched entry welcome you home. An eye-catching cupola with weather vane crowns the roof-line of this luxurious lakefront home.

This beautiful 15kg mosaic balcony table was only $60!