Inside San Francisco’s viral dream home, the Floral House

The Designer Show House, a biennial event sponsored by the Village Improvement Association in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, showcases diverse interior and exterior design inspirations across its 6,000 square feet of space and nearly an acre of outdoor areas. This event serves as a platform for regional designers to present their expertise and offers visitors a wealth of ideas for their own homes. One featured space is a sunken living room, designed by Kate FitzGerald-Wilks of Timeless Design in Landenberg, Pennsylvania. This room embodies a West Indies aesthetic, characterized by bold lines, soft sandy hues, and rich textures. Key elements include vintage stick bamboo chairs painted black, adorned with Kuba cloth and Ralph Lauren zebra-stripe pillows on a slipcovered camel-backed sofa. A mid-century hutch is repurposed as a cocktail bar, complemented by sculptural metal and glass console tables flanking the fireplace. Wood mirrors with faux tortoise shell lean against textured wallpaper, while modern sculptures and art blend with antique books and global treasures. FitzGerald-Wilks also designed the dining room, aiming for a dramatic effect with a backdrop of 200 wine bottles and a striking Dolcetti chandelier crafted from shells and crystals, evoking sea glass. An 8-foot-long reclaimed wine rack sits atop a buffet. The room's color palette consists of soft creams and tans, punctuated by emerald green accents in the chandelier and wine bottles. Windows are framed with woven ikat print panels. An airy sunroom, conceived by Alfred Wolf Home (a new venture from Design Center of Rehoboth or DCOR), was designed to create a light-filled, contemporary transition between the house and garden. This involved removing existing French doors and window grills, painting the room in various shades of white and French gray-green, and incorporating textural elements of white canvas, iron, and marble. The family room, also by DCOR, maintained the warmth of its original paneling and fireplace stone, setting the foundation for a soft khaki and cream palette. The room is furnished with herringbone, tweed, and leather fabrics, offset by tortoise shell wood finishes and local tidal scene artwork. Mary Stewart of M. Stewart Interiors in Bear designed the upstairs hobby room, named "Just Us," intended as a shared family space for various pastimes like painting, photography, reading, chess, and Lego building. The room features updated cherished family heirlooms and is painted simply white to highlight paintings by Nadia Zychal. Nile Johnson of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, designed the second-floor paneled library, drawing inspiration from Rehoboth's laid-back yet cosmopolitan atmosphere. This space offers an updated interpretation of a classic library, decorated in layers of sandy tans. Cyndi and Ron Oronzio and Cathie Sheetz of Dreamweaver Interiors of Rehoboth Beach decorated a bedroom and bath, inspired by vibrantly patterned fabrics. They utilized Robert Allen fabrics as wallpaper for an accent wall, building the room's design around this print. The team selected fabrics for their depth, crisp patterns, contrasting textures, and detailed embroidery, incorporating a bright coral pink accent color and rhinestone embellishments for a feminine touch. Brenda Carder of blcINTERIORS of Rehoboth Beach designed a small guest bedroom, combining natural cotton and linen fabrics with metal and reclaimed wood. Crown moldings add formality. To compensate for limited sunlight, the room was kept light and bright, with a deep navy blue accent wall and touches of bright yellow for warmth. The second floor features art by Libby Zando of Zando Designs and Art Affects in Milton, alongside works by award-winning regional artists. Boardwalk Builders of Rehoboth transformed a hallway into a gallery space by adding wainscot paneling, creating an updated cottage aesthetic that visually broadened the hallway. Mark A. Polo of The Urban Dweller in Boonton, New Jersey, designed the master suite, aiming for comfort with soft textural colors ranging from taupe to blue. The furniture is upholstered to enhance the room's softness, featuring taupe draperies of embroidered sheer linen and silk edged in leather and freshwater pearls. Blonde floors are softened by a long-fiber rug. Outdoors, Erin Walls and Justin Bartels of Bella Terra Landscaping in Lincoln repurposed existing flagstone patios and walkways, adding new stones to create a Celtic-inspired design. The layout divides the space into a grand area for social gatherings and secluded nooks for quiet retreats. Creative Concepts Furniture of Lewes and Ocean View furnished the patios as outdoor rooms with bright coastal colors, including a sectional, loveseat, dining area for six, and lounge chairs, inviting visitors to envision themselves in the setting. #DesignerShowHouse #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #RehobothBeach #DelawareDesign #LuxuryInteriors #OutdoorLiving #DesignInspiration

Chasitie and Mike Walden embarked on a journey to construct a new family home in Mission Hills, drawing inspiration from a unique house they encountered in Atlanta, Georgia. Their vision was realized over three years, culminating in a contemporary residence that skillfully integrates traditional elements, making it a comfortable retreat during the 2020 pandemic shutdown. The exterior, designed by Mark McHenry with McHenry Schaffer Architecture, features crisp white stucco juxtaposed with ashlar masonry, and steel-framed windows and doors are complemented by classic carriage-house lanterns, blending modern aesthetics with neighborhood tradition. Inside, interior architect Oliver Carter orchestrated a dynamic interplay of styles. The double-height entry showcases classic black-and-white marble tiles and traditional balusters, modernized by an oversized brass-framed mirror and a sleek bench. The elevated music room, a vibrant space, hosts a timeless black baby-grand piano and a striking Dale Chihuly chandelier, exemplifying the home’s bold approach to design. Interior designer Debbie Cansler of Trapp and Company joined the project to streamline the selection of finishes and furniture, ensuring a cohesive and functional design. Among the most cherished spaces is the living room, featuring grass-green tuxedo-style sofas with white bases flanking the fireplace, anchored by a graphic geometric rug. The custom Porter Teleo wallpaper is highlighted as a central artistic element. Adjacent to the living room, and separated by glassed-in wine storage, the dining room offers a cozy and richly colored environment, perfect for entertaining. It is adorned with antique crystal chandeliers and a custom Eric Thomas-designed rift-sawn white-oak table that can accommodate fourteen guests. Mike’s office, a sanctuary during lockdown, combines a serious atmosphere with dark woodwork and law journals, lightened by Hunt Slonem’s Abraham Lincoln painting and a whimsical “honest lawyer” pillow. The kitchen was conceived as a casual and low-maintenance space, essential for a family with two children and three dogs. It features double islands topped with polished white Panda marble, providing ample room for family activities and meal preparation, with Ann Sacks tile adding a dramatic touch to the backsplash. The primary suite serves as a serene escape, characterized by deep blue Phillip Jeffries shagreen wallcovering, a custom wingback leather-upholstered bed, and a plush hand-knotted Stark rug. The en-suite bathroom is a luxurious oasis, boasting an expansive floor of honed Grigio Delcato marble tiles, custom vanities with calacatta quartz tops, and a freestanding tub set against a backdrop of Artistic Tile water-jet mosaic. The Waldens express immense satisfaction with their home, a sentiment echoed by its popularity on the recent Kappa Kappa Gamma tour, confirming Cansler's success in creating a home that resonates with the family's desires. #MissionHillsHome #ArchitecturalDesign #InteriorDesign #ContemporaryHome #HomeDecor #CustomInteriors #LuxuryLiving #FamilyHome #KansasCityRealEstate

This article highlights a modern Paradise Valley home, a collaboration between RMB Luxury Real Estate, Tomecak Design, and Bellflower Design. The initial architectural inspiration for the home came from Mark Tomecak, whose Serbian background influenced a simplistic and European modern styling. Debra Richardson, the interior designer at RMB Luxury Real Estate, designed a floor plan that prioritizes a spacious, family-friendly residence with extensive indoor and outdoor entertainment options. The core focus of the design team was to maximize every square foot to create a modern-marvel entertainer’s dream home. A key design priority was to emphasize the stunning sunsets and views of Camelback Mountain. This was achieved through the incorporation of ten-foot-high sliding doors that open on both sides, creating a seamless transition between the interior and exterior spaces. The home was sold during the drywall stage, allowing the buyers to provide input on the finishes. Lead designer Richardson employed a palette of pure whites, soft grays, and bold blacks, while secondary areas featured softer, warmer tones. The new homeowners desired a residence that matched the high-end features found in luxury properties in the Los Angeles area, particularly seeking the flexibility to transform the space into a 'swanky nightclub' for entertaining. To meet this request, an intricate sound system with multi-colored LED lighting was installed both inside and outside, creating a dynamic visual and auditory experience. The exterior entertainment area is lavish, featuring a 70-foot pool, a 12-person jacuzzi, and various seating arrangements. Key design elements and resources used in the home include Arizona Tile for kitchen countertops, island, fireplace accents, bathroom tiles, and outdoor flooring. ET2 Contemporary Lighting provided fixtures for the entryway, dining room, and primary bedroom, while Modern Forms supplied kitchen lighting. McKenzie Custom Built Cabinets crafted the kitchen cabinetry. RH Modern furnished the living room with couches, accent tables, and rugs, and the bedrooms with beds and dressers. Sherwin-Williams paints were used for the walls, and Simplicity Home Automation was responsible for the LED lighting system. The flooring in the living room is Arizona Tile’s Super White imported porcelain, complementing the RHM furniture. The finished home was well-received, even earning approval from reality television personalities Tarek El Moussa and Heather Rae Young during a tour, who praised its finishes and clever design. #ParadiseValleyHome #ModernDesign #LuxuryRealEstate #EntertainersDream #InteriorDesign #OutdoorLiving #ArchitecturalDesign #HomeAutomation #CustomFinishes

This article discusses the concept of universal design in home renovations and new construction, focusing on how adapting a home for aging in place can be a sound investment and make living easier for maturing bodies. The central idea revolves around creating living spaces that are accessible and usable by people of all ages, sizes, and abilities, thereby allowing older individuals to remain in their homes longer, a concept known as "aging in place." The article highlights that universal design elements, while beneficial for the elderly, are also attractive and practical for people of all ages. The article provides a detailed case study of a couple in North Wilmington who added a first-floor master suite to their home, specifically designed with universal design principles. This addition includes an oversized bedroom with a sitting area, a large bathroom suite with a walk-in shower and separate toilet room, two walk-in closets, an office, and a laundry room. Key design features mentioned are elevated front-loading washer and dryer, wide hallways and doorways to accommodate wheelchairs, and a separate entrance from the driveway that can be ramped if needed. The bathroom, designed by Rita Wilkins, president of Design Services in Wilmington, features amenities found in luxury hotels, such as walk-in showers and anti-scald faucets. Vanities are set at different heights, with some at 38 inches for easier use and one lower to accommodate a wheelchair user. The new bedroom boasts a 10½-foot ceiling with cove lighting and transom windows for ample natural light, and the owner's closet includes a large window seat, while his closet has a skylight, emphasizing the importance of extra lighting as vision deteriorates with age. The article emphasizes that universal design is not limited to new construction or additions. Renovations can also incorporate these principles, adding resale value and making existing homes safer and easier to live in. For instance, if stairs become an issue, a first-floor bedroom can be added, or an elevator can be installed if closets on different floors align vertically. An elevator typically requires about a 5-foot square space. The article shares an example of a Newark home where an elevator was installed to address mobility concerns, allowing the homeowners to remain in their beloved location. Other adaptations include adding handrails to stairs and hallways, installing grab bars near tubs and toilets, and adjusting the height of counters, light switches, thermostats, and electrical outlets for easier access. Traditional light switches can be replaced with rocker switches, and storage areas can be made more accessible with roll-out trays in cabinets and D-shaped handles instead of knobs. Some kitchen counters can be lowered to a desk height of 30 inches, and lever faucets are recommended over traditional turning handles. The article also suggests installing a faucet and spray hose near the stove for convenience. Flooring and furnishings are also crucial considerations. The case study home features firm chairs that are easy to get in and out of in the reading nook, and low-pile carpeting with firm padding in the bedroom, which is ideal for walkers or wheelchairs. Transitions between different types of flooring are clearly demarcated by contrasting colors. The overall message is that universal design, when implemented correctly, is stylish and blends seamlessly with the home's aesthetics, rather than making it resemble a hospital room. The article concludes by stressing that people do not have to leave their homes and neighborhoods they love simply because they are getting older, as numerous adaptations can make their current homes more livable as they age. #UniversalDesign #AgingInPlace #HomeRenovation #AccessibleDesign #HomeModifications #InteriorDesign #ResidentialArchitecture #AdaptiveLiving #HomeAccessibility