This living room also has yellow walls, a white framed fireplace, animal print sofa chair, patterned throw pillows, floral area rug, large ottoman, soft purple couch, wall art, and wooden table. An adjacent eating area has a round glass table, wooden sideboard, classic white chairs, chandelier, and artwork. Home located in Mississauga, Ontario. Designed by interior design firm, Nicola Interiors, who serves the entire Greater Toronto Area. For more about Nicola Interiors, click here: https://nicolainteriors.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://nicolainteriors.com/projects/creditview/

© Néstor Marchador

The family room is a light and airy alcove off the kitchen. The furnishings are comfortable and eclectic. It is understated but has a feeling of warm invitation. A collection of lamps create pools of light. Track lights illuminate the artwork. Austin-Murphy Design

The new owners of this house in Harvard, Massachusetts loved its location and authentic Shaker characteristics, but weren’t fans of its curious layout. A dated first-floor full bathroom could only be accessed by going up a few steps to a landing, opening the bathroom door and then going down the same number of steps to enter the room. The dark kitchen faced the driveway to the north, rather than the bucolic backyard fields to the south. The dining space felt more like an enlarged hall and could only comfortably seat four. Upstairs, a den/office had a woefully low ceiling; the master bedroom had limited storage, and a sad full bathroom featured a cramped shower. KHS proposed a number of changes to create an updated home where the owners could enjoy cooking, entertaining, and being connected to the outdoors from the first-floor living spaces, while also experiencing more inviting and more functional private spaces upstairs. On the first floor, the primary change was to capture space that had been part of an upper-level screen porch and convert it to interior space. To make the interior expansion seamless, we raised the floor of the area that had been the upper-level porch, so it aligns with the main living level, and made sure there would be no soffits in the planes of the walls we removed. We also raised the floor of the remaining lower-level porch to reduce the number of steps required to circulate from it to the newly expanded interior. New patio door systems now fill the arched openings that used to be infilled with screen. The exterior interventions (which also included some new casement windows in the dining area) were designed to be subtle, while affording significant improvements on the interior. Additionally, the first-floor bathroom was reconfigured, shifting one of its walls to widen the dining space, and moving the entrance to the bathroom from the stair landing to the kitchen instead. These changes (which involved significant structural interventions) resulted in a much more open space to accommodate a new kitchen with a view of the lush backyard and a new dining space defined by a new built-in banquette that comfortably seats six, and -- with the addition of a table extension -- up to eight people. Upstairs in the den/office, replacing the low, board ceiling with a raised, plaster, tray ceiling that springs from above the original board-finish walls – newly painted a light color -- created a much more inviting, bright, and expansive space. Re-configuring the master bath to accommodate a larger shower and adding built-in storage cabinets in the master bedroom improved comfort and function. A new whole-house color palette rounds out the improvements. Photos by Katie Hutchison

Michael Stadler - Stadler Studio

Custom made DVD and CD storage cabinets are built into the wall unit. Clean and uncluttered is an important part of the design.

Loft sitting room with mantle detail and built in bookcases with storage.

The family room used to be dark and was overwhelmed by a floor-to-ceiling red brick fireplace. A gas fireplace insert was added to a cultured stone fireplace. The fireplace was not centered on the wall, so three new windows and a long mantle were added to balance the wall. Vern Uytake, photographer. Sandy Hendricks, designer.

This home showcases a joyful palette with printed upholstery, bright pops of color, and unexpected design elements. It's all about balancing style with functionality as each piece of decor serves an aesthetic and practical purpose. --- Project designed by Pasadena interior design studio Amy Peltier Interior Design & Home. They serve Pasadena, Bradbury, South Pasadena, San Marino, La Canada Flintridge, Altadena, Monrovia, Sierra Madre, Los Angeles, as well as surrounding areas. For more about Amy Peltier Interior Design & Home, click here: https://peltierinteriors.com/

Millie Holloman Photography

Vacant Home staging for realtor in Carlisle PA, by Sherri Blum, Celebrity Designer and Home Stager.

This homeowner moved into a new townhome for a fresh start. The goal was to update furniture and décor with cooler neutrals and patterns to update a traditional style. She and her family enjoy their modern comforts of home in the updated kitchen, family room, and bedroom!

Custom blue Spinneybeck leather sectional sofa and purple leather ottomans on wheels.

Spectacular unobstructed views of the Bay, Bridge, Alcatraz, San Francisco skyline and the rolling hills of Marin greet you from almost every window of this stunning Provençal Villa located in the acclaimed Middle Ridge neighborhood of Mill Valley. Built in 2000, this exclusive 5 bedroom, 5+ bath estate was thoughtfully designed by architect Jorge de Quesada to provide a classically elegant backdrop for today’s active lifestyle. Perfectly positioned on over half an acre with flat lawns and an award winning garden there is unmatched sense of privacy just minutes from the shops and restaurants of downtown Mill Valley. A curved stone staircase leads from the charming entry gate to the private front lawn and on to the grand hand carved front door. A gracious formal entry and wide hall opens out to the main living spaces of the home and out to the view beyond. The Venetian plaster walls and soaring ceilings provide an open airy feeling to the living room and country chef’s kitchen, while three sets of oversized French doors lead onto the Jerusalem Limestone patios and bring in the panoramic views. The chef’s kitchen is the focal point of the warm welcoming great room and features a range-top and double wall ovens, two dishwashers, marble counters and sinks with Waterworks fixtures. The tile backsplash behind the range pays homage to Monet’s Giverny kitchen. A fireplace offers up a cozy sitting area to lounge and watch television or curl up with a book. There is ample space for a farm table for casual dining. In addition to a well-appointed formal living room, the main level of this estate includes an office, stunning library/den with faux tortoise detailing, butler’s pantry, powder room, and a wonderful indoor/outdoor flow allowing the spectacular setting to envelop every space. A wide staircase leads up to the four main bedrooms of home. There is a spacious master suite complete with private balcony and French doors showcasing the views. The suite features his and her baths complete with walk – in closets, and steam showers. In hers there is a sumptuous soaking tub positioned to make the most of the view. Two additional bedrooms share a bath while the third is en-suite. The laundry room features a second set of stairs leading back to the butler’s pantry, garage and outdoor areas. The lowest level of the home includes a legal second unit complete with kitchen, spacious walk in closet, private entry and patio area. In addition to interior access to the second unit there is a spacious exercise room, the potential for a poolside kitchenette, second laundry room, and secure storage area primed to become a state of the art tasting room/wine cellar. From the main level the spacious entertaining patio leads you out to the magnificent grounds and pool area. Designed by Steve Stucky, the gardens were featured on the 2007 Mill Valley Outdoor Art Club tour. A level lawn leads to the focal point of the grounds; the iconic “Crags Head” outcropping favored by hikers as far back as the 19th century. The perfect place to stop for lunch and take in the spectacular view. The Century old Sonoma Olive trees and lavender plantings add a Mediterranean touch to the two lawn areas that also include an antique fountain, and a charming custom Barbara Butler playhouse. Inspired by Provence and built to exacting standards this charming villa provides an elegant yet welcoming environment designed to meet the needs of today’s active lifestyle while staying true to its Continental roots creating a warm and inviting space ready to call home.

Interior Design by Ph.D. Design Furnishing & Decor by Owner Photography by Drew Haran