Bathroom
3. Office. Squeezing out room for a home office can be tough when you have a smaller floor plan, but if you’ve got enough square footage on a stair landing, this can make for a good spot. Here, a modest built-in desk, open bookcases and task lighting create an efficient workstation. This setup could function well as a work-from-home niche or a homework station, depending on your household’s needs. If you’re not remodeling or building: This is one of the simpler options to implement even without a remodel, as you don’t have to use built-ins. You could use a freestanding desk and wall-mounted shelves to create a similar setup.
For example, in the landing at the end of the hallway pictured here, built-in cabinetry along with a banquette creates a cozy alcove. While the bench offers a place to sit and read, the shelves add a place to store and display books and photos. White panel molding completes the charming, built-in look.
1. Whimsical Designers: Carly Nemtean and Lauren Poetker of Carriage Lane Design-Build Location: TorontoSize: 32 square feet (2.9 square meters); 4 by 8 feet (1.2 by 2.4 meters)Homeowners’ request. Create a new laundry space — with a sink, hanging racks, storage and a sink — after incorporating the existing laundry room into a new addition. Style. “The laundry space is, above all else, whimsical,” designer Carly Nemtean says. “We kept the cabinetry and counters clean and simple but installed a fun fig wallpaper that is oversized in pattern so it shines.” Special features. Sliding pocket doors that close off the area. Rod for hanging and drying clothes. Lots of storage for cleaning supplies. “It’s a flexible space that is incorporated into the walls and niches so that every space is usable,” Nemtean says.Designer secret. “I feel that all spaces need to add that touch of whimsy to make it original,” Nemtean says. “Uh-oh” moment. “Creating the laundry room in this space was the easy part,” Nemtean says. “Figuring out how we were going to conceal it, and how that would function with ease, was difficult. We came up with many ideas but no good solutions until we put our heads together a...
2. Glazed: soft and shimmery. If you love the pared-back look of subway tile but want an even softer feel, go for a glazed finish, as shown here. The shiny, uneven surface reflects the light to give a shimmery look that’s perfect for a tranquil, traditional-style bathroom or kitchen. The square tiles here are laid in a brickwork pattern, so the difference between this look and subway tile is slight — an ideal compromise for die-hard fans.
The designer transformed the master bedroom by adding a window seat and more closet space and opening the ceiling to expose the vaulted roofline. A black four-poster bed provides visual contrast against the white walls.
Pitts reconfigured the updated guest room by removing closets to make room for two double beds. The board-and-batten walls extend from the living areas into the bedrooms. A wood sunburst mirror hangs on the white wall between the two beds and visually connects to the wood ceiling.Find sunburst-style mirrors
Shower. A 16-inch rain shower extends from inside the skylight well, reminiscent of a natural outdoor shower. “The crazy, beautiful idea of setting a large rain shower up into the skylight made this bathroom playful and luxurious,” Linnebach says. “It was one of those ‘Can we really do that?’ moments that really excited everyone. We took a risk, and now it’s the homeowner’s favorite feature.”Linnebach added a concealed vent in the skylight well to make sure moisture didn’t get trapped up there.Faux-wood tiles on the shower floor, walls and ceiling create a rich, organic feel without the hassle of maintaining real wood in a wet area. Linnebach meticulously placed each faux-wood tile so it would be almost impossible to spot individual tiles. The slender slat-like tiles on the floor mimic the look of a tatami mat. The other tiles are concrete.Large-format reuse concrete wall tile: Provenza Floors; Etic in Ulivo faux-wood tiles: Atlas Concorde; shower fixtures, Raindance wall bar and C-Therm trim: Hansgrohe
Photos by Paul LinnebachBathroom at a GlanceWho lives here: A single woman who loves traveling and Asian styleLocation: Minneapolis Size: 125 square feet (11.6 square meters)Designer and builder: Paul Linnebach of Mantis Design + BuildScope of work. A full, down-to-the studs renovation that included the removal of a large bathtub and a partial wall. The shower was relocated to directly beneath a skylight, and a small space that previously housed a shower became a linen closet. A new vanity features a built-in hamper and accessory drawers for maximum efficiency of space. Style influence. The homeowner, whom designer and builder Paul Linnebach describes as “bright, warm and full of life,” loves traveling and Asian style. For the design, Linnebach took inspiration from his own travels to Bali, Indonesia, “where the showers and bathrooms are so connected and a part of the surrounding nature,” he says. George Kovacs Hidden Gems flush-mount light in chrome: Minka Aire via Houzz; custom-built mirror and vanity; Italian Design Collection center pulls in matte black: Schaub; 1446-CWH sinks: Decolav; Metris 260 faucets: Hansgrohe; concrete-effect floor tile in matte beige: Fioranese
If you’re unsure how to inspect or paint your cabinets, consider hiring a professional for the job. Regardless of who is doing the work, good luck with your kitchen update and happy remodeling!Your turn. Have you painted your kitchen cabinets? Show us how they look by sharing a photo in the Comments.MoreHow to Reface Your Old Kitchen CabinetsRead more painting storiesShop for painting tools
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