High-Rise Kitchen

Translucent glass panels and slender pulls enhance the sleek maple cabinetry in this high-rise kitchen. Bar stools are positioned under a curved countertop in granite to take full advantage of the condominium's fabulous city view.

Infused with old-world charm, this kitchen's cooking zone resembles a Colonial-era hearth, featuring a cast-iron range and brick backdrop. From the copper faucets to the tarnished bronze light fixtures, nothing looks too shiny or new here.

In this open floor plan, the kitchen opens onto the family room. To distinguish the kitchen, the range is set an angle, with the hood treated as hearth, creating a focal point. Cabinetry smooths the visual segue between the spaces, and the rooms share an earth-tone decorating scheme.

Furniture-like cabinetry and natural surfaces bring old-world style to functional design. A dramatic 14-foot-high copper hood rises over a professional cooktop on the kitchen's island. Maple cabinets were stained dark and fitted with antique-look hardware and pulls.

This kitchen reflects an appreciation of traditional cottage style. The mix of woods, the blend of inset and overlay drawer styles, and the intricate fish-shape cutouts in the upper cabinets demonstrate the attention to detail that guided the room's design.

The kitchen cabinetry is a freestyle gathering of recycled pieces, blended under and over a stone-look countertop. The salvaged store display case is home to a changing display of china and collectibles. It has been raised on furniture feet to normal counter height.

Remodeling a 1908 Victorian home borrowed space from a breakfast room to create a new kitchen with all the modern conveniences. Neutral tones, wood floors, and wide moldings make the transition between the home's original architectural features and the new space.

A dash of color is a welcome surprise in this kitchen, where the cabinets are offset by soothing aqua walls and cool stainless-steel counters. Maple floors tie this room to the rest of the apartment.

Unlike a modern great-room, the spaces in this breakfast area and sitting room are defined -- yet family and friends feel connected to everything. A two-sided fireplace warms both spaces and serves as a physical separation between the rooms.

Near the sink, an angled dishwasher forms a mini peninsula, introducing a welcome diagonal into the long narrow kitchen space. To maintain the granite's visual flow, the homeowners chose a drop-in cooktop rather than a slide-in range.

Kitchens

The energy and reflections generated by a colorful glass-tile backsplash work well against a dark concrete countertop. Other options include black granite, soapstone, or solid-surface materials. For a contemporary look, pair the glass tiles with stainless-steel countertops.



This newly updated kitchen mirrors the symmetry of the home's Federal architecture. Rustic horizontal siding, salvaged ceiling beams, and concrete pavers set a primitive tone. The granite-topped island, however, is all about modern amenities.

Because the kitchen is open to the dining and living rooms, the homeowners chose a formal look that features painted cabinetry with inset drawers, beaded details, and glass knobs. At the far end, a built-in hutch holds dishware opposite the breakfast table.

It took more moxie than money to give this kitchen its color and cost-conscious character. Most of the budget went to stainless-steel appliances. Working with other existing elements kept the budget in check.

To maximize function in this odd-shape kitchen, cabinetry starts at the widest point and runs down two opposing walls at angles. With a prep sink, a warming drawer, and storage, the 10-foot-long island narrows at the dining room end to maintain ample traffic paths.

Banquettes are an especially attractive option for informal dining. They conserve space without sacrificing comfort and link busy kitchens with a place to sit and eat, read, or do homework. This dining space features a built-in banquette with a cottage-look custom table.

This family kitchen displays it all: storage, organization, convenience, vintage charm, warmth, and a clean fresh look. The customized architectural details contribute to the beauty of this efficient workspace.

The character of an English country home took top priority in this kitchen remodel, with cabients built to look like freestanding furniture pieces. Hand-hewn ceiling beams in the kitchen and divided light windows add to the look and feel of British elegance.

Shallow ceiling beams add intimacy and warmth to this kitchen. Buttery-yellow beaded-board cabinets provide plenty of storage, including a spice drawer, a foldaway mixer stand, and large shelves for pots. Traditional soapstone countertops complement the cabinets' warm hue.

Stainless-steel appliances, custom cabinetry, and a large island add luxury and utility to this kitchen. Tumbled-marble and granite surfaces add to the room's sophisticated European look.

Decorating Gallery: Claire Murray

Romance, relaxation, beauty and aromatherapy all in your very own dream cottage bedroom. Snuggle in with Claire’s comfy bedding and Cashmere throw, read a book, turn on soft music and relax to the fragrance of Sea Star soy and palm candle. Awaken to the bright sunny day surrounded by the things you love

Foyer to Shabby Chic Master bath brings the magic of the sea into your retreat. The open space is flooded with a light airy feel that is calming and beautiful. Claire Murray Siren's song takes center stage with gentle pastels that tell the old Nantucket tale of the Sirens.

A country cottage kitchen that will be the envy of all. The essence of European charm accents this kitchen with taste of old France and a hint of spice. Sunny windows reflect off the soft eggshell walls lighting up the room with a sunny hue. Roosters and sunflowers bring the country indoors. A country breakfast can't be far off.

Rooted in the tradition of Nantucket, this nautical room is a peaceful retreat for reading, relaxation or just great conversation. Warm red tones contrast with cool sea hues and earth tones.

Color and pattern provide country backdrop for the simplicity of Claire Murray’s country breakfast nook. From Cape Cod to the heartlands these timeless designs bring the feeling of ‘home’ to the room. The contrast of stunning wood floors and furniture with the simplicity of log cabin and historical patterns brings sunlight to every morning. Accented with Claire’s La Bella Vita hand painted table accents and the happy sunflower bouquet makes your Claire Murray lifestyle complete.

Baby Love Nursery

Paint plays a big role in this lively nursery. Bold horizontal stripes on the walls in a variety of cool blues and grassy greens give the room energy and create a pondlike backdrop for an under-the-sea theme, complete with frog and fish accessories.



The canopy above the crib adds a simple but dramatic touch to this nursery. The green-and-blue polka-dot fabric was the starting point for the room's design. The silk fabric creates a serene color scheme and a formal look that matches the home's traditional decor.

Yards of dotted sheer netting were knotted and hung from the ceiling before being draped and puddled around the crib. Though it should be tied back or removed when baby begins reaching, the fabric can always be made into pretty curtains to hang at the window instead.

This soft yellow nursery creates a cheerful reminder of sunny afternoons out in the country. Quilts, soft fabrics, and a few vintage accessories accomplish this nicely.

This boy's nursery isn't typical in color or in pattern; its refreshing chocolate and blue tones and bold patterns fit seamlessly with the home's other contemporary notes. The bold swirled rug puts the whole room in motion. Its hip hues inspired the striped and polka-dot crib bedding and robin's-egg blue walls.

Inspired by leaves in the crib bedding, a painted treetop silhouette climbs the wall of this nursery, cuddling baby under a quiet canopy. Gentle colors soften the room's clean-cut modern style. In a variety of shapes and sizes, pillows and cushions rotate around the room as needed on the floor, chair, and window seat.

A cheerful apple green gingham fabric was the inspiration for this room -- a traditional but unexpected mix of pinks and greens. A coordinating fabric assortment of plaids, dots, checks, florals, and gingham mixes scales and colors to create a cozy room for baby.

This baby nursery includes pops of cheerful color as a perfect contrast for a white crib. Every detail counts in a small room like this. The room design blends old and new for a charming, one-of-a-kind look.

Kids' Room

This big-boy room is acres of fun. The farm-theme bedroom is also functional -- a play space and bedroom that can grow with its occupant. A window seat is a place to rest or play, and oodles of built-in shelves with cubbies stretch to the ceiling. An unfinished table and chairs were painted to match the room’s bright decor.

Duvets and pillows made from a bright toile and coordinating plaid bring the deep wall color to the beds. The prints also tone down the dazzling effect of white matelasse coverlets and furnishings. An oversize green check and medium stripe coordinate the shams and bed skirt.

This high-flying bedroom is a lively place for a young boy to spread his wings. A boy-friendly blue color palette is accented with red and white. The walls feature amazingly detailed drawings of painted clouds and biplanes, which are repeated in the bedding.

Embrace the bolder side of a classic pink-and-yellow palette with a vibrant nursery that's as fun as it is sweet. The crib, outfitted with floral fabrics, gets a starring role in the center of the room. A wide band of pink paint echoes the window treatments' two-tone design. It also adds a bit of fun and visual interest.

It's okay to saturate a tween's room with color. In this energetic space, peel-and-stick dots dress up the walls now, but can be removed if the occupant's taste changes. A large desk unit provides storage, and a toy box converted into a bench is a place to sit and read.

A class banner, a flag, and some snappy locker-look storage make a schoolhouse theme sing in this kids' playroom. Instead of desks and homework, lucky tots in this room get to flop into comfy chairs or have a blast playing on the hopscotch rug. Soaring in place of a window valance, felt pennants add a personal touch to the room.

Start with a great color on the walls, add lots of textures in furnishings, then drop in cool materials and accessories for a room that will keep a young boy happy through his teen years. Rugby-shirt stripes and madras were the inspiration for this colorful space.

Kids' Spaces

A timeless red, white, and blue color scheme gives this boy's room staying power. Beaded-board wainscoting, classic Roman shades, and crisp stripes on the walls also contribute to the room's longevity.

A transportation-theme room is perfect for little boy who loves things that go "vroom." Vintage posters, replicas of antique toys, and other accents support the room's theme. The striped Roman shades set the red, navy, white, and green color scheme. A new window seat and built-in cabinetry provide storage and a classic touch.

Why stick with one set of bedding? Versatile white furniture can play second fiddle to any number of solids and patterns on the bed. Although once perfect for a baby nursery, the sweet pink walls get an instant facelift with hot pink and bold orange.

A large canopy bed dominates this little girl's room. It's a plush spot to sleep, read, or hang out with friends. Coral walls and a gingham bed skirt add color and enhance the warm tones of the heart-of-pine floors.

A primary color scheme brightens this boy's bedroom, which was inspired by his beloved toy tractor collection. The bedding is tied into the farm theme with simple seamstress work: Overlapping green hills are stitched onto red pillow shams.

With a pint-size chair and a low work surface, this colorful desk is made to fit its 4-year-old owner. The modular unit includes plenty of storage space. A personalized bulletin board of corkboard and a pink feather boa border is a fun spot to display art projects.

This is a boys' room filled with classic cars and trucks. The duvet covers inspired the room's theme that includes touches of chrome and black.

Soft seating, cozy rugs, and ample storage make this a playroom as popular with kids as it is with Mom. Chalkboard paint runs around the perimeter of the room above the chair rail, offering an opportunity for kids to actually write on the walls to their heart's content!

An airy iron bed, an antique, was stripped and varnished to prevent rusting. Its simple look, as well as the companion white wood furniture pieces, keeps the attention on the bed covering and the decoratively painted wall stripes.

A boy's passion for athletics fueled this room's decorating scheme. A floor-to-ceiling wall system, which doubles as an oversize headboard, gives him a prominent place to display his sporting memorabilia. A professional cabinetmaker crafted the shelving unit from melamine and covered it in plastic laminate.

A collection of 1940s calendar prints (of boys and dogs) from online auctions inspired the look of this boy's room. The warm, faded hues of the prints were the timeless colors used to create this rich room makeover for a young boy.