It starts with a vision, an idea in your head of what you want your home to look like. Often that image is far from reality, and it takes work, money and a commitment to ‘decide’ on what it takes to make that vision flourish.
Remodeling or building is exciting, you can do anything you want, but knowing where to start is the hard part. There is no seamless integration between what was and what will be, unfortunately. Once you have that vision, there’s a required talent of pulling it all together. Some people have a natural instinct for this, others, not so much.
Delay not, intrepid designer! Inspiration can be found anywhere – with the internet – Pinterest, Google, and perhaps an idea from us here at Residence Joy, along with a host of other tools, you can find which style speaks to you.
Here’s a few standouts in design that set themselves apart from all the others. And not a single all white kitchen is featured. Not even one.
URBAN CHARM
Nothing short of a masterpiece is what Tammy Sheils, a Purdue educated interior designer did in her personal kitchen. Exposed brick is a timeless element. It’s raw beauty was a choice to add – this was not existing brick. Solid surface countertops along the perimeter. Details such as Butcherblock countertops on the island, with a built-in knife block and basket shelves. Notice the endcap island is a workstation – an extension of the island? And that big floor to ceiling cabinet to the right of the stove – it’s a door to the walk in pantry.
PRIMITIVE MINIMALIST
This quiet kitchen is loud with its message: less is more. No upper cabinets, no tile backsplash. An upgraded slab of marble on the lower cabinets with wood on the raised built-in buffet. With white walls, is this what the new ‘white kitchen’ looks like?
MODERN EPICUREAN
Sleek and on point, this kitchen’s delivery is gourmet. Contrasting cabinet choices, with the hood matching the generous kitchen island and the pantry cabinet. You’ve seen uppers and lowers painted different colors, Kelly’s kitchen demonstrates you can switch it up and have different colored cabinets and it doesn’t just work, it’s calm and brilliant. Not only a pioneer in design, this kitchen belongs to a trailblazer, who is also a professional designer.
COMBINED ELEMENTS
A formal dining room should reflect your personal style and flow with the rest of the house. Leona’s dining room does just that. An exposed brick arch in the kitchen introduces the formal dining room, and what a pleasant hello it is. Outfitted with a plank ceiling with recessed lighting, and a built-in with glass shelving. The natural light of the windows showcases the beauty of the room, along with the pops of color.
UPGRADED BOHO (rage against the Greige)
Wait, are those walls white? In the living room AND the dining room? Where’s the grey, where’s the greige? White walls combined with natural wood furniture accented with pops of color in the top rug. That’s right. Two rugs. This room features a trend I love – stacked rugs. The jute-like bottom rug (neutral) works like a mat in a picture frame. You can easily swap out the top rug when you need a change. The black and white art goes with everything!
Not ready to leave the greige just yet? Here’s a handy color guide to the top six Benjamin Moore choices, per sales data nationwide.
Tip: Consider your lighting when choosing a paint color. Paint a scrap piece of wood instead of trying it on your wall, and move the painted wood from room to room to see the difference lighting makes in wall color. Warm white bulbs make a huge difference compared to LED lighting.
ARTSY DREAMER
The accent wall – it’s back! Subtle decor styles this bedroom, with browns and whites and some live plants. Shannon has a stacked rug, on carpet, so you absolutely do not have to have hardwood floors to achieve this look. The botanical artwork stencil is simple to recreate with this link.
COTTAGE CHARM
This master also has an accent wall of color and stacked rugs, so of course I had to feature it in this post. Note, no matching bedroom suite, either. Nightstands have clean lines, open storage, nothing to hide. Everything is this room serves a function, with style.
MIXED MATERIALS FOR THE DESIGN WIN
Love a hexagon tiled bathroom floor! Oversized subway tiles, with charcoal grout is a modern and functional look – especially in a bath. Darker grout forgives many cleaning sins. The pattern tiled inset niche is perfect – not overpowering in this small space, it gives some pizazz. Add a natural wood vanity, with black hardware with floating shelves mounted on white shiplap. Lots of elements in this bathroom – and all will be in style for years to come.
SMALL BATH, BIG STATEMENT
You really want the patterned tile on the floor, I know you do. Good news, it looks fabulous in a small room. Tread lightly (pun intended) if you try to use a busy tile for flooring in a larger room. Here, the floor is the focal point, along with the ball foot tub. The vessel sink mounted on a piece of furniture (notice the sea glass blue knobs) merges old and new, which is exactly what this bathroom should be about.
WALL OF TILE (and mixed metals)
And here is what pattern tile looks like on a vanity wall. Fantastic! (This type of mirror is called arch framed, if you’re curious.) Floating wood shelves perch over a built-in bench. They have combined mixed metals (which I love) with the gold showerhead and sconces and nickel cabinet hardware.
SHIPLAP + SUBWAY and ROUND MIRRORS
If you upgrade just one thing in 2022, it’s got to be to a round mirror. In living rooms or bathrooms, round mirrors are very popular. This bathroom has subway tile, shiplap – but what I love the most is the dark wood shelf – it really balances the lighter colors and gives some depth.
WELCOMING FOYER
Natural accessories simplify the charm of this entryway. So many hallways and foyers choose a rug the in the shape of the room. Here a braided round jute rug in the rectangular foyer gives the space depth and interest, and makes the beautiful hardwood floors the focal point. Great example that simple design can be beautiful.
OLD WORLD CHARM
Full of old world charm, this stone fireplace creates a splendid focal point in this living area. Floor to ceiling stone work, sans hearth. A dark wood mantle showcases the floor to ceiling rock work. Accessorized by the perfect artwork and a pedestal clock, it’s the perfect place to unwind with a cup of cocoa.
COZY FOCAL POINT
Black and white, stone and wood – this old house’s previous fireplace went from eyesore to showpiece. A great example to work with what you have, paint the brick and add shiplap in same color. Accent with black and dark wood, with a pop of color here and there.
BLACK TRIM
I had to include a few exterior trends, and I especially love black painted trim. The dark trim can make a 90’s red brick house look fresh and elegant. Consider your roof color, before you commit.
GARAGE DOOR PERGOLA
Another exterior feature – the garage pergola. These can be stained wood or vinyl wrapped if you have a vinyl siding home. It adds a detail to the exterior, and works with several architecture types whether it be traditional, cottage, farmhouse – the garage pergola’s sole function is aesthetic.
Design questions? We have answers.
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I love these! The kitchens are amazing!
I love the stacked rugs! Great thing to do