It’s often said that the kitchen is the heart of a home and the bathroom, a sanctuary. Often, these functional spaces face the most use and abuse—and because they’re so needed and so used, the logistics of updating or renovating them can feel even more challenging. These beautifully redesigned spaces showcase just how much of an impact it can make to rise to the challenge. Whether it’s adding beautiful hand-hewn beams in a kitchen or custom, furniture-inspired cabinetry in a master bath, draw your own inspiration from these eye candy-filled spaces.



Liz Goldberg
Carolyn Leona
“This house is almost a hundred years old and located in the historical and charming Raleigh neighborhood Cameron Park. We wanted to stay true to the history of the home, keeping original windows but reworking every other detail. We added the beam to make it feel as though it is original. In this tuxedo kitchen, instead of traditional black unders  [lower cabinets], we surprised with a strong pop of blue. Taking the tile all the way up to the ceiling is a small detail with a big impact! We love how this helps the eye move up, making the ceilings appear higher—and it also feels so luxe and custom.”

Kara Cox 
Kara Cox Interiors 

  “This kitchen project is actually my personal kitchen! The house is a midcentury home, built in 1954, which had been renovated in the late ‘90s with heart pine cabinets. We gutted the kitchen and updated it with more contemporary slab cabinets and a limed oak island to match the original mid-century style of the home.  The backsplash tile is hand-painted in a mid-century tumbling block pattern and the range hood is a copper hood from Thompson Traders with a burnished brass and nickel finish. I added an antique Turkish rug as a runner for a pop of color and a little touch of cozy.”

 

 


Hadley Quisenberry
West Trade Interiors
 “The exposed beams, open shelving, and masonry wall provided just the right casual contrast to the sleek tile and stone selections, custom range hood, and stainless appliances. Blue and white is a timeless combination, but it’s also trending in a big way lately. Here we incorporated it with accents and accessories, but it’s also great in fabrics and furnishings. Lighting is another key design element in any space. Circa Lighting is our favorite resource for special fixtures, and their Darlana pendants in old white work perfectly over this expansive island.”

 

 

 

 Caren Bistany
Bistany Design
“Classic marble inspired us to keep the cabinetry a classic soft white color to blend. We wanted a transitional look on the cabinetry with furniture details but kept the cabinet doors and drawers clean with a soft bead. The warmth of the unlacquered brass adds a touch of jewelry to the cabinetry. Charlotte [Lucas] did an amazing job selecting the decorative light fixtures and mirrors to add that special touch.” — Caren Bistany



Charlotte Lucas
Charlotte Lucas Interiors
“The bones of this house are old, but we wanted the newly renovated master bath to be white, fresh, and open without feeling modern. We wanted a classic style with clean lines, simple but feminine cabinet hardware, and beautiful finishes that would patina over the years. To help create a more open feeling, layer a decorative mirror over a sheet mirror.” — Charlotte Lucas

 




Lynne Clark
Clark and Clark Interiors
 “Inspiration always stems from striking the balance of function and feel. This client, a mom of twin boys and a corporate executive, desired a luxurious, spa-like feel for her master bath. Materials make a huge difference when considering function and feel. We selected quartz and porcelain for their durable, stain-resistant, and lowmaintenance qualities. For the tub, we chose a deep soaking tub with air hydrotherapy jets and a heated back to create that spa-like atmosphere. But we kept the footprint small, so it is easy and quick to fill, making her bath time efficient. The result was a timeless master bath with a calming feel that works for not only the client but also her family.”