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8. Curves and Sculptural Forms
Curves are making a strong comeback, whether in furniture, cabinetry, tile or mirrors. Fluted finishes, curved sofas and bubble silhouettes soften hard angles, add sculptural interest and create a sense of calm. These rounded forms also bring visual flow and comfort.
“Furniture and decor are taking on more sculptural shapes,” designer Whitney Ray of Wyeth Ray Interiors says. “From curved sofas to asymmetrical mirrors and stone tables with softened edges, these forms add visual interest while evoking a sense of calm and connection to nature. This trend bridges art and function, often blurring the line between furniture and sculpture.”
In this Los Angeles living room by Mark Design, curvy furniture, organic-shaped mirrors, a ribbed coffee table and arched console accessories highlight the trend. The shapes, palette and boucle sofa fabric also contribute to the room’s organic modern style.
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A young couple in Cambridge, England, set out to refresh their traditional home with a clean, modern sensibility while preserving its character. Inspired by the original flagstone floors and the owners’ love of Japandi style, designer Georgina Robertson, who uses Houzz Pro, created a kitchen with a large island, a warm wood storage wall, sleek gray-blue base cabinets and layered textures. Glass-front units, skylights and a thoughtful mix of lighting keep the space open and bright.
Elsewhere, a breakfast area features arched niches with custom shelving and storage, a family room shows off a refinished floor and updated fireplace, and the living room brings energy with coral sofas and a cushioned window seat. A redesigned study, utility room and bike storage add efficiency and order throughout.
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This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .
This empty-nest couple in California turned to designer Lori Ramsay to help reimagine the basic white kitchen in the wife’s Mediterranean-style childhood home, located in a San Diego master-planned community. Their goal was to honor cherished memories while improving function, storage and style in the 125-square-foot space. Ramsay kept the original footprint mostly intact but elevated the design with white-and-wood cabinetry, brass hardware, and countertops and a backsplash in striking white granite with bold veining and forest green crystals. A new peninsula adds storage, seating and a workstation sink, while the former breakfast area now houses a glamorous bar with glass-and-brass shelving.
Before Photo
“After” photos by Elizabeth Patton Photography
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: An empty-nest couple
Location: San Diego
Size: 125 square feet (11.6 square meters)
Designer: Lori Ramsay Design
Before: The nearly all-white kitchen included a short peninsula, white appliances, white solid-surface counters and basic cabinetry without hardware. A cove ceiling added to the dated look. “The cove ceiling was something I wanted to remove, but the budget wouldn’t allow it,” Ramsay says.
While the layout created an efficient work triangle between the sink, range and refrigerator, a small microwave above the range lacked proper ventilation, and the bulky refrigerator jutted into the walkway. “The kitchen functioned very well,” Ramsay says. “The primary concern was that the whole thing was dated and didn’t have style. This homeowner has great taste and the dated kitchen didn’t reflect her personality.” The wood-look laminate floor offered a visual break from all the white but was worn and ready for replacement.
After: Ramsay mostly retained the original footprint. “Every time you move something like plumbing and gas lines, it adds to the expense,” she says. She also kept the cove ceiling but had the rest of the kitchen completely gutted and rebuilt. The upper cabinets and trim are painted a warm white (Pure White by Sherwin-Williams), which contrasts beautifully with the stained rift-cut white oak lower cabinets. The two-tone combination adds depth and warmth, while rich brass pulls tie the look together. “They didn’t have adequate storage before,” Ramsay says. “We increased storage capacity and accessibility by converting lower cabinets to all drawers.”
A soft white wall and ceiling color with warm khaki undertones (Neutral Ground by Sherwin-Williams) creates a cozy backdrop that helps the cabinetry stand out. Polished Alpine granite, with bold ebony, graphite and gray veining and forest green crystals, forms the countertops and slab backsplash, adding color, movement and drama. “That was the kickoff for the kitchen,” Ramsay says. “She found that slab and fell in love with it, and that informed all the other decisions.”
Cabinetry hardware: Erika pull in warm brass, Atlas Homewares
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A white 30-inch, slide-in, dual-fuel smart range with double ovens has a 36-inch custom hood designed to coordinate with the upper cabinetry. The hood liner has LED lighting and a powerful blower that keeps odors and smoke from drifting into surrounding spaces. A white oak band brings the warmth of the lower cabinetry to the hood. “Creating the hood as a focal point elevates the design and increases functionality,” Ramsay says. “And by making the hood at least 6 inches larger, it gives the cook room and gives the hood more presence.”
In addition to the lights inside the hood, the kitchen also includes updated LED ceiling lights and undercabinet lights over task areas.
Range: Café; range hood insert: Monsoon Mini II, Zephyr
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Before Photo
Before: Previously, the large side-by-side refrigerator in a corner of the kitchen stuck out past the cabinetry. The bulky appliance sat by a doorway that opens to the family room. “I thought that needed to be cabinet-depth or built-in,” Ramsay says.
A pantry cabinet next to the refrigerator had fixed shelves inside. “It was only 12 inches deep,” Ramsay says. “That’s why you see such a disparity between the full-depth refrigerator and the pantry.”
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After: Ramsay shifted the location of the refrigerator and swapped in a white counter-depth, two-drawer French door smart fridge with gold hardware. Its location to the left meant she could add a full-height and full-depth pantry cabinet (right) for small appliances, with drawers underneath for breakfast supplies and dry goods. “Moving the refrigerator to the left and making it counter-depth made the entrance to the kitchen more spacious,” Ramsay says.
Before and After: 4 Inviting Kitchens in 120 to 160 Square Feet
An appliance garage added in the corner by the fridge helps keep the counters free of clutter. “My concern with shifting the refrigerator was that there would be a deep hole in the corner of the kitchen,” Ramsay says. “So we did two things: We dropped the upper cabinetry to the countertop and added the appliance garage. And for the lower cabinet, we did a magic corner [organizer] on the range side and added a spice pullout by the refrigerator.”
25 Genius Kitchen Storage Ideas
A 30-inch fireclay farmhouse-style workstation sink sits across from the refrigerator. It features an extra-deep single bowl and a wood cutting board that slides along a built-in ledge for added function. The faucet, finished in luxe gold, has magnetic docking and a pull-down spray. “We extended the countertop behind the sink and added cabinets on the end to allow for storage and comfortable seating behind the sink,” Ramsay says. “That became the island for them.”
To the left of the sink is a double-drawer white-and-gold dishwasher that complements the fridge. A trash and recycling pullout sits in the peninsula, perpendicular to the sink. “We couldn’t fit the trash to the right of the sink, so that was the most logical place to put it,” Ramsay says. “Because these homeowners are empty nesters, using one small oven or one of the dishwasher drawers just makes sense.” Floating rift-cut white oak shelves at the end of the upper cabinetry provide a perfect spot for plants or decorative items.
Sink: Elkay; faucet: Artesso in luxe gold, Brizo
6 Expert Tips for Banishing Kitchen Clutter
Before Photo
Before: A small breakfast area with a table and chairs sat just off the kitchen but wasn’t used regularly. “They didn’t use it often and she wanted a bar,” Ramsay says. A pot rack hung over the sink, adding visual clutter. A structural post in the space needed to remain in place, as removing it would have been too costly.
After: Removing the cluttered pots and pans gave Ramsay the opportunity to install elegant brass-and-glass pendant lights, which now illuminate the counter seating area. She replaced the table and chairs with a glamorous bar setup, creating a more functional space for entertaining. A beverage fridge in the peninsula keeps cold drinks nearby and allows guests to grab what they like without entering the kitchen. Medium brown luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring extends through the kitchen and bar area, offering the look of warm wood but with improved durability and water resistance.
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The elegant bar has raised-panel cabinetry painted a rich, dramatic green (Black Evergreen by Behr). The brass-and-glass shelving showcases the homeowners’ tequila collection. A mirrored backsplash adds depth and a touch of glamour, while the white granite countertop coordinates with the stone used in the kitchen. “Both the cabinet style and color are different from the kitchen, but the emerald crystals in the kitchen granite tied everything together,” Ramsay says. “By eliminating that table, it allowed space for entertaining.”
Custom brass shelving: Soil & Oak Design; glass shelving: RB Glass & Mirror
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NAHB’s analysis of Census Data from the Quarterly Starts and Completions by Purpose and Design survey indicates year-over year growth for custom home builders amid broader single-family home building weakness. The custom building market is less sensitive to the interest rate cycle than other forms of home building but is more sensitive to changes in household wealth and stock prices. With spec home building down and the stock market up, custom building is gaining market share.
There were 54,000 total custom building starts during the second quarter of 2025. This was up 4% relative to the second quarter of 2024. Over the last four quarters, custom housing starts totaled 184,000 homes, just more than a 2% increase compared to the prior four quarter total (180,000).
Currently, the market share of custom home building, based on a one-year moving average, is approximately 19% of total single-family starts. This is down from a prior cycle peak of 31.5% set during the second quarter of 2009 and the 21% recent peak rate at the beginning of 2023, after which spec home building gained market share. The current market share is the highest since 2022.
Note that this definition of custom home building does not include homes intended for sale, so the analysis in this post uses a narrow definition of the sector. It represents home construction undertaken on a contract basis for which the builder does not hold tax basis in the structure during construction.
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“The rugs, dining chairs and table, armoire and lighting in the dining area all share the same soft curves to create a beautiful flow through the space,” Matthews says.
A soft pendant lamp over the table provides a warm glow in the evening.
The team used Houzz Pro tools to share the design with their clients, as well as the products they specified.
“We use Houzz to manage all our projects and, in particular, the Selections boards, where clients can see all the items we’ve proposed,” Matthews says.
The Selections boards allow professionals to present items they’re considering for the project in a simple format that helps clients feel in control. They can see an image of each product and all of the information at a glance, then quickly press Approve or Decline.
Wall paint: Slate ll and Lead IV, both Paint & Paper Library
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .
“The rugs, dining chairs and table, armoire and lighting in the dining area all share the same soft curves to create a beautiful flow through the space,” Matthews says.
A soft pendant lamp over the table provides a warm glow in the evening.
The team used Houzz Pro tools to share the design with their clients, as well as the products they specified.
“We use Houzz to manage all our projects and, in particular, the Selections boards, where clients can see all the items we’ve proposed,” Matthews says.
The Selections boards allow professionals to present items they’re considering for the project in a simple format that helps clients feel in control. They can see an image of each product and all of the information at a glance, then quickly press Approve or Decline.
Wall paint: Slate ll and Lead IV, both Paint & Paper Library
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .
7. Lawn and Garden Care Service
A lawn and garden care service can take care of mowing, to be sure, but even if you prefer to cut your own grass, there may be some tasks worth hiring a pro to take care of. A gardener can help set up and maintain a drip irrigation and sprinkler system, trim hedges, prune rosebushes, and even handle seasonal leaf and snow removal. Or you may want to look for a gardener who designs gardens from scratch or has a specialty, like creating drought-tolerant landscapes or edible gardens.
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1. Treetop Suite
Designer: Mark Ciano Home
Location: Westport, Connecticut
Homeowner’s request. “My client approached me with a vision to transform her third-floor storage and kids play space into a stunning but functional home office suite,” designer Mark Ciano says. “Her vision was a multipurpose space that not only represented her style and looked fantastic but also solved many of her home office needs, including a sitting area for informal meetings, a desk area with tons of storage and a window seat she could take calls on and look at the treetops.”
Built-in storage. “I designed a full wall of built-in cabinetry, including closed storage below for supplies and any other typical office items and open shelves above for decorative items and books and panels to hang art,” Ciano says. “The built-in unit was painted just the right tone of blue, Farrow and Ball De Nimes, a muted midtones blue that denotes tranquillity. Printer space is hidden inside the built-ins, and all computer laptop cords run through the top of the desk and are neatly tacked behind the leg of the desk.”
Other special features. The desk is walnut and marble. “The walls are wallpapered in Cowtan & Tout Tabor in a neutral weave to create a layered texture but not close in the space or hit you in the face with color,” Ciano says. “We commissioned two pieces of art that sit in the built-ins behind the desk area off to the sides. My client’s dear friend is an artist on the West Coast and I worked with her on the concept, color and execution of the pieces. The lighting details were quite important. Instead of a desk lamp or recessed spots, I opted for hanging pendants over the desk.
“To separate the space and create a divider between the sitting area and desk area, I designed open custom shelving units that followed the slope of the ceiling. It creates a separation but doesn’t close spaces in. The divider bookcases are in rift-cut oak and stained with a medium-toned walnut finish. A full coffee station with refrigeration was a must because of the time she spends working.”
Designer tip. “People spend so many hours at their desk these days, I wanted my client to have a cozy window seat with treetop views if she’s reviewing contracts or just needs to take a few minutes’ break between Zoom calls,” Ciano says.
Desk: Rove Concepts; commissioned art: Reggie Stone
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When you hear the word “retreat,” what comes to mind — writing in a cabin by a lonesome lake, engaging in spiritual study or practicing yoga on the beach? How about doing a retreat in your own home? It may at first seem like an improbable idea (although that yoga-on-the-beach thing sounds pretty good), but there are some surprising positives to crafting your own retreat at home. For one thing, it’s free. For another, you can decide exactly the sort of activities you want to focus on, including things that may not be combined in most retreats (novel writing and cupcake baking, anyone?). Check out these 10 steps to designing your own retreat in the comfort of your home.
1. Decide on a Focus
Are you craving a spiritual retreat? Time to work on your craft, write, do yoga or meditate? Make a short list of the things you want to incorporate into your retreat so you can start planning.
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2. Get Your Household on Board
If you live with others, and especially if you have children, going on a retreat at home can be a challenge. Try to plan the retreat for a time when your family or housemates will be away, particularly during the day. At the very least, try to get everyone to agree to respect what you are doing. This includes not speaking to you too much if you decide to maintain silence (see No. 8) during your retreat. If you have children, it can be worthwhile to do a shorter (even a one-day) retreat when you know the kids will be out of the house.
3. Set an Intention
An intention is different from a goal. A goal might be, “I will meditate two hours each day,” whereas an intention could be, “I will be mindful and appreciate each moment.”
To set an intention for your retreat, answer these two questions:
What do you hope to gain from your retreat?
What do you hope your experience will be?Setting intentions before your retreat can help keep you focused on the experience you want to have.
4. Shop for Groceries and Plan Meals
Retreats you travel to, no matter what the focus, tend to offer fresh, healthful food — so try to offer yourself the same. Get the main work out of the way before your retreat begins, so you can focus on the good stuff.
5. Gather Other Materials
Depending on what sort of activities you will be focusing on, you may want to pick up books, instructional videos, craft supplies, notebooks and pens, a yoga mat or meditation cushions.
6. Create a Schedule
Any proper retreat has a schedule mapped out in advance, and there’s no reason you can’t do the same. Decide what time you would like to rise, eat, work on your project, read, have downtime and go to sleep each day. Of course, the beauty of having an at-home retreat is that you are free to leave your schedule as open or as structured as you like.
7. Prepare Your Space
There’s no need to go overboard cleaning and scrubbing, but beginning your retreat in a neat, clean home will help set a positive tone. Plan to spend a few hours getting rid of clutter and cleaning up before you begin your retreat.
Pay special attention to clearing away clutter and electronic devices in the bedroom so you can sleep restfully. And elsewhere in the house, put away anything that reminds you of work or things you may be feeling stressed about.
8. Try Silence
Consider going without speaking during some or all of your retreat — you may be surprised how refreshing it can feel to get a break from constant chatter.
Of course, the more people in your household, the more difficult it will be. Perhaps someone else would like to participate in silence with you, or you can enjoy a silent break during the times you have the house to yourself. And, of course, talk if you really need to!
10 Tips for a More Peaceful Home
9. Unplug
If there is one thing that seems to be a given at a retreat, it’s that you disconnect your devices. No going online and no checking your phone or tablet. If you are used to being on your devices frequently, it can be hard to do, but it’s worth trying!
10. Consider Your Media Consumption
In addition to what you might be used to seeing online, consider taking a break from the things you usually read. Be intentional about the material you choose to read or watch during your retreat. If you want to read a book or watch a film, pick one that meshes with the intention you set for the retreat.
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Crown molding, picture rails, wainscoting, hand-hewn banisters and balusters and other decorative trim brought dimension and artisanal flair to older homes. Beyond their beauty, these details often served practical purposes, including concealing imperfect seams and protecting plaster walls from scuffs and dents. While modern materials and construction methods make those functions less necessary, trim and paneling still provide a sense of craftsmanship and permanence that can instantly add character to a new build.
Your home’s architecture offers cues for the decorative trim that will suit it best. Victorians and Colonial Revival moldings tended to be taller and more ornate, for example, whereas Craftsman homes often kept trims simpler and chunkier, with visible joinery. These broader architectural styles can be broken down even further into subsets with their own signature details, so it’s important to be on the same page with your designer or architect about which style you’re after and carry it through the house for consistency.