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Welcoming Guest Bedrooms

Nov 05, 2018 | Posted in How To & Decorating Tips |

 

If you have a spare bedroom in a big city like San Francisco, lucky you! For urban dwellers who want to welcome friends and relatives and maybe don’t have a dedicated extra room, or even if you do, read on for three examples of how to create welcoming guest bedrooms.

 

Transform Your Open Living Area into a Private Bedroom

 

View into a corner room with sliding perspex doors folded back. Two multicolored patterned slipper chairs with a table between are at the front. Green wall color, artwork, and shelving with collectible dishware on display are seen towards the back. To the right, a vintage dining set in blonde wood and green striped fabric. The flooring is light-colored wood.

Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Joe Fletcher

Many city homes have guest rooms that double as home offices or artist studios, especially in flexible floor plans like live-work and open-plan living. Lofts are very popular in the bay area for their flexibility, but the same openness loft residents crave can leave overnight guests feeling exposed.

View into a corner room with sliding perspex doors mostly closed, but a peek of a bed shows through. The two slipper chairs have been removed. A vintage dining set in blonde wood and green striped fabric still shows to the right. The flooring is light-colored wood.

Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Joe Fletcher

You really can have it both ways! Enjoy the openness of your space without guests, and provide a secluded guest bedroom for visitors without sacrificing your living area. The best way to approach this challenge is to choose furniture that’s easy to move around, and to clearly define and seclude the space to make it feel like a private bedroom.

View into a corner room with sliding perspex doors folded back to reveal the convertible bed dressed with fresh green and white linens. The two slipper chairs have been removed, and the side table is now perfect for books and magazines. A vintage dining set in blonde wood and green striped fabric shows to the right. The flooring is light-colored wood, and the walls are a light green shade.

Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Joe Fletcher

This San Francisco loft features sliding translucent walls that create privacy while allowing in light, and a convertible wall bed dressed with silky, luxurious linens that complement the fresh, light-green color of the walls. A moveable side table is perfect for a book or magazine.

When the guests leave, ta-da! The bed folds into the wall, the seating furniture is returned, and your living area is back to its original size.

 

Convert Your Home Office into a Serene Guest Bedroom

 

A hardworking home office converts to a comfortable guest getaway with this convertible bed, hidden behind a large custom-made blue wall cabinet. A white desk chair and a blue-and-white desk sit in front of a window with roller blinds. The light colored carpet helps with sound attenuation.

Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

In a contemporary urban condo, this workhorse office converts into a serene guest bedroom. The bold, dark-blue wall of custom-designed cabinetry not only hides a fold-down desk, but also a convertible Murphy bed! Pull down the bed and the blue disappears, to reveal buttercream walls, icy blue bedding, and white linens for a serene and welcoming space.

A hardworking home office converts to a comfortable guest getaway with this custom-made Murphy bed. Uplighting spreads light while downlighting provides a handy reading light. A shelf folds down to create a bedside table. The bed itself is dressed in soft white, yellow, and blue pillows, with an icy blue comforter. A white and silver desk chair is neatly tucked under the blue-and-white desk in front of the window with roller blinds up.

Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

Downlights recessed into the top of the cabinetry allow guests to comfortably read in bed. Below the white open shelving that neatly organizes office items, a fold-down panel becomes a convenient and thoughtful bedside table. Simple blackout roller shades allow your guests to sleep in after sunrise. Voila! Your office just converted into your guest’s home-away-from-home.

 

Vibrant and Vivacious Private Bedroom

 

Looking into a bedroom with brightly-colored and bold-patterns in tangerine and white. The Brazilian cherry floors and dark wood furniture balance and temper the orange glow, and multiple patterns mix easily due to variations in scale. Handmade raw linen curtains with a hand-painted pattern filter the morning east-facing sunlight that imbues the tangerine walls with a gentle glow.

Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

Our final example is this va-va-voom tangerine treat! It’s used solely as a guest bedroom, which makes this brightly-colored and bold-patterned room perfect for the occasional visitor. The Brazilian cherry floors and dark wood furniture balance and temper the orange glow, and multiple patterns mix easily due to variations in scale. Handmade raw linen curtains with a hand-painted pattern bring in a beautifully imperfect or wabi-sabi element. In the morning, the east-facing room captures sunlight that glows through the linen curtains, imbuing the tangerine walls with a gentle warmth.

What a lovely way to wake up! Warning: your guests may not want to leave!

 

Do you have a city home that needs a guest bedroom? Award-winning Kimball Starr Interior Design creates contemporary residential spaces that both guests and owners love! Contact us to learn how you can transform your home!

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Living Room Styles

Oct 22, 2018 | Posted in How To & Decorating Tips |

A few weeks ago we looked at dining room styles, so I thought it might be fun and useful to continue the series with living rooms, especially with the holiday entertaining season on the way. I hope this gives you some ideas of which one might be right for YOUR living room and lifestyle!

 

Vibrant Bachelor Pad

 

A retro-futuristic living room for a bachelor, with two pink B&B Italia multi-directional sofas with fuzzy throw pillows on a deep red wine-colored shag rug. An Eero Aarnio bubble swing chair hangs just in front of a large set of windows, with a patterned footstool in front. to the left of one sofa sits a clear perspex table with a burgundy table lamp.

Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

You could call this playful, eclectic condo a retro-futuristic design! Reminiscent of the 60s with the Eero Aarnio bubble swing chair, yet offering plenty of totally modern materials and finishes, this sensual bachelor pad is also easy to care for, brilliant for a person on-the-go who likes to entertain. The B&B Italia sectional lounge furniture offers multi-directional seating, and a plush crimson rug is great for large informal parties.

A retro-futuristic living room for a bachelor, with one red and two pink B&B Italia multi-directional sofas on a deep red wine-colored shag rug. To the front is a modern white dining table, two yellow kitchen chairs, and two clear green perspex modern chairs. On the wall behind one of the pink sofas is custom-made shelving and storage, with bright green wood and clear perspex sliding panels. An Eero Aarnio bubble swing chair hangs just in front of a large set of windows, with the projector screen hung just above, ready to pull down for a movie projected from the ceiling.

Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

Because this space doesn’t use a fireplace for its living room focal point, instead I custom-designed wall-mounted shelving and a media cabinet that also serves as a bar. It’s perfect for showing off my client’s cool collectibles, and hiding away the cords and cables so commonly found with boys and their toys, like the ceiling-mounted projector used for movies and games.

 

Comfortable Mid-century Meets Global Chic

 

View of a conversation corner on a blue rug, with a contemporary sofa and matching chair in grey with multi-patterned throw pillows. To the front right is a midcentury modern chair and Noguchi glass table, both with wooden frames. At the back corner is a large plant with wide fronds, and a set of French doors with light streaming in.

Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

Do you love mid-century design but want more vibrant or interesting textiles? This living room may be for you! The shapes of the contemporary furniture are streamlined and simple, like mid-century furniture. The colors and patterns of the textiles are globally inspired, bigger and bolder, while mixing in contemporary touches.

View of a grey contemporary couch with multi-colored and patterned throw pillows from several cultures and countries. Behind the sofa are a pair of yellow glass table lamps with white shades. A colorful photo of Yosemite has been turned into a large canvas, hung on the wall behind. In front of the sofa is a glass-topped Noguchi mid-century modern coffee table, styled with a vase of flowers and a few shiny containers. Some green plant fronds peek in at the far right of the scene.

Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

Mid-century is a great choice for people who like to collect and display original and reproduction furniture, and those who enjoy entertaining at home with cocktail parties or coffee and book clubs. Juxtaposing different contemporary materials like glass and wood, plus fabrics and patterns from faraway places, makes for an exciting space!

 

Contemporary Hillside Retreat

 

Looking into the living room of a San Francisco hillside retreat with light-colored walls and ceiling, to the front and right showing patterned upholstered chair with metal frame and a hot pink throw blanket covering the back, a round wooden coffee table dressed with a vase and several different shaped sky-blue shiny containers. Behind the chair is a set of stairs with black metal railings and warm wood top rails. to the right is the living room with a light colored corner sofa with chaise, covered in colorful throw pillows, and a contemporary light-colored chair with metal legs that match the corner sofa. In the center is a Noguchi-style coffee table with warm wooden support and glass top, dressed with multiple vases filled with flowers, and books. A dog sits upon the corner sofa chaise.

Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

If you love the idea of contemporary, clean lines, but don’t care for the mid-century style, then this hillside retreat’s living room may be the right choice for you. A mixture of colors, patterns, and textures provides interest, while the light-colored wall paint is the perfect background to let the colors do the talking.

Let the view be the star in this contemporary hillside retreat, showing patterned upholstered chairs with metal frames, a round wooden coffee table dressed with a vase and several different-shaped sky-blue shiny containers. A hot pink throw blanket covers the back of one of the chairs, and another tan upholstered seat to the right is covered in green-blue-brown striped throw pillows. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows and doors form the corner of the room. Outside, stools provide moveable seating on the balcony, in front of a beautiful San Francisco night view through metal railings.

Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

A variety of surfaces like the Flokati rug over wood flooring means it will never be boring or unwelcoming. The simplicity of this contemporary design allows the view to really shine. If you don’t have a view, bring in artwork and sculptures as really great conversation pieces.

 

Gentleman’s Modern Classic

A gentlemanly living room, showing blue rug over hardwood flooring, dark brown leather club chairs dressed with American flag pillows, a large modern hair-on-hide octagonal ottoman used as a table, with whiskey and ice bucket on a tray. In the foreground is a red couch with several throw pillows. The right wall has bookshelves either side of a wood fireplace surround and mantel, dressed with artwork. In front of the mantel is a flower arrangement. Light streams in from the windows straight ahead of you. Wood paneling surrounds the windows, doors, and acts as cornicing. In front of the window is a light blue chaise lounge and 3-legged side table. A pendant light hangs from the ceiling.

Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Marija Vidal

This living room would appeal to someone who values bold, rich colors, natural elements, traditional craft, and modern comfort. The masculine colors and patterns are balanced by a light paint color on the walls and ceilings. The octagonal hair-on-hide ottoman is a useful conversation piece, surrounded by more traditional furniture.

A soft white woolly rug beckons under the light blue chaise longue, offering a cozy spot to curl up with a book or take a nap on a rainy day, dressed with pillows and a throw blanket. Beside it is a delicate 3-legged table dressed with orange flowers, a book, and a round object.

Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Marija Vidal

Warm wood trim and panelling around the windows and doors tones nicely with the aged leather club chairs. The soft woolly rug beckons under the chaise lounge, offering a cozy spot to curl up with a book or take a nap on a rainy day.

Close-up image of the right arm of an aged dark leather club chair with round nailhead edging. On the seat is a folded patterned blanket, and on top of that, slightly out of focus, an American flag pillow rests against the back of the chair.

Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Marija Vidal

 

If you love one of these living room styles, or want to discuss an idea all your own, Kimball Starr can be your personal stylist! Call her today for a complimentary consultation!

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Fireplace Weather

Oct 08, 2018 | Posted in Inspirations |

Autumn is here! This time of year my thoughts turn to sweaters, raking leaves, and getting cozy by a warm fire. Here are a few of my favorite fireplace designs that my clients love, and I think you will, too!

Gentleman’s Modern Classic

A gentlemanly living room, showing blue carpet, dark brown leather club chairs dressed with American flag pillows, a large modern faux horsehair octagonal footrest used as a table, with whiskey and ice bucket on a tray. On the other side of the footrest is a red couch with several throw pillows. The rear wall has bookshelves either side of a wood fireplace surround and mantel, dressed with artwork. In front of the mantel is a flower arrangement. Light streams in from the windows on the left. Wood paneling surrounds the windows, doors, and acts as cornicing

Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Marija Vidal

I like to call this one a modern classic because the room has elements of both traditional and modern design. We styled the fireplace with art, lighting, and a flower arrangement, to make it easy to use and welcoming.

Contemporary Warm and Cozy

Bottom left of image is a small stool on a grey fluffy rug, in front of a black hearth fireplace in contemporary style, with white surround. Hung above the fireplace on the surround is an art canvas, plus vases on the hearth. Flooring is a warm wood, and the walls are cedar wood construction, in the style of a modern ski lodge.

Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Paul Dyer

A simple yet elegant design that fits today’s busy lifestyle. I custom-created the fireplace and surround to contrast with the warm, knotty cedar wood wall construction, and personalized with art and pottery. The stool and rug are perfect for getting the fire started on a chilly night.

Comfortable Mid-century

Living room showing table and 2 vintage green metal chairs at the back left corner, in front of a window. To the right, a modern grey horizontal striped fireplace without a mantel, with simple black firescreen in front. Above the fire, a turquoise blue and bright green and yellow artwork is hung. In the front of the image, a purple and white striped mid-century modern chair and matching footrest sit on a blue patterned rug. The rest of the flooring is warm wood-tones. An orange and white lattice-patterned round side table is at the very front of the view, next to the chair and footrest.

Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

Classic furniture is allowed to be the star of this living room, while the architectural fireplace is appropriately subdued. Having a fireplace without a mantel means you won’t collect clutter, showing off beautiful artwork instead. A simple metal screen stops loose sparks and beautifies the hearth.

Industrial Zen Loft

View of a living room fireplace. In the foreground, a grey chaise lounge dressed with brown pillows. A hint of a multicolored rug on the floor, with light colored wood underneath. A glowing globe light sits on the floor, to the right of the hearth, which is patterned grey with oversized-brick-like steel and stone shapes. A Douglas fir wood mantel is dressed with Asian art and sculptures, plus dried plantings that have an architectural, spikey look to them. To the left of the fireplace is a large potted plant, again with spikey leaves, and to the right is a leaning open bookshelf.

Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

Asian elements and organic surfaces appealed to this client’s understated masculine style, so I used a floating Douglas fir wood mantel to balance out the steel and stone fire surround. We finished off the fireplace design with simple plantings and art. The wood placed just inside invites you to light a fire and enjoy a peaceful evening.

If you dream of having a warm fireplace, Kimball Starr can answer your questions – contact her today!

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Loft Storage

Sep 24, 2018 | Posted in How To & Decorating Tips |

Don’t you just love the breezy, open feeling of a residential loft? What most lofts don’t offer is built-in storage, and if there’s one thing that every city-dweller needs, it’s storage for their personal items. Looking at one of my favorite examples, a San Francisco loft that won a Design Excellence Award, here’s how you can address that need to hide away the relics and tools of daily life.

Feature Built-ins

Create a beautiful place to store and display china, books, and collectibles that fits into or around an architectural element. As you can see in the photo below, we made a feature of a rolling curved bookcase that wraps around this loft’s spiral staircase, making it feel like a real treat to use the stairs. We painted the interior casework with lovely high-gloss orange paint, and the exterior facing the living room in a faded metallic stencil pattern, for a sophisticated look.

San Francisco loft contemporary circular staircase and custom bookcase that wraps around it in high-gloss orange paint inside the shelving, with white reflective patterned decorated surface facing the living area. An orange display niche on the left white wall matches the orange on the bookcase behind the silver stair railings.

Design by Kimball Starr / photo by Joe Fletcher

The entire height of the bookcase is attached with a piano hinge that swings back and forth on hidden floor casters, giving access to interior shelving and maximizing the available floor space. As seen on the left of the image above, the small recessed alcove repeats the orange color for a sense of harmony and rhythm, and the shape of the wall echoes the shape of the bookcase.

Laundry Storage

Because a loft is so open, there often isn’t a separate laundry room. It makes sense to place your laundry nearby or in your loft’s kitchen, for the best use of plumbing and electrical facilities, but how do you conceal the mess and contain the noise?

View of a contemporary residential loft kitchen with blond wood and silver metal-legged table on castors, red metal stools with a blond wood seat, and stacked white washer/dryer hidden behind a light-colored moveable curved wall that looks like a column. Behind the table are dark wood cabinets, the counter surface, and stove and microwave appliances.

Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

The washer-dryer storage solution shown above was another moveable wall concealed as a column, in the same loft. Similar to the bookcase whose shape it repeats, this faux column slides on casters to reveal a stacked washer and dryer unit right next to the kitchen, complete with interior shelves for storing laundry supplies. What could be more convenient?

 

Are you a loft owner who needs custom built-ins or other storage solutions? Let’s talk!

 

Kimball Starr Interior Design is a San Francisco award-winning loft design firm that provides contemporary design for residential interiors throughout Northern California and Nevada. Contact Kimball today for a complimentary consultation!

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Dining Room Styles

Sep 10, 2018 | Posted in How To & Decorating Tips |

When designing their home, people sometimes leave their dining room as an afterthought. Here’s why you shouldn’t do that! Your dining room is essential for entertaining, as well as showing off your style choices. Let me show you what I mean.

A glamorous transitional dining room view, through the living room, showing hints of bright pinky-red recliners at the far right and left of the image. Between we see a glamorous dining room with heavy, dark brown chairs with nailheads and a ring detail on the back. The head chairs are a different fabric, textured in purple. Coppery grasscloth wallpaper complements a triptych artwork on the rear wall showing real lotus leaves finished in copper. A rectilinear glass chandelier lights the space, adding to the sunlight filtered through brightly-colored sheers that match the living room chairs.

Design by Kimball Starr / photo by Eric Rorer

This Oakland condo was purchased by a female doctor who wanted a little more glam in her dining experience, and to still feel welcoming to both men and women.

Closer view into a transitional dining space featuring a heavy wooden table surrounded by dark brown dining chairs with silver nailheads and a metal ring detail on the backs. The head chairs are finished in a textured purple fabric. The back wall is a coppery textured grasscloth that complements the copper triptych artwork of lotus leaves. Above the table hangs a rectilinear glass chandelier, while light is filtered from the windows to the left through patterned sheers in a pinky-red color. The table has 3 vases, the outer ones containing greenery, and the centerpiece is a purple flower arrangement to match the head chairs.

Design by Kimball Starr / photo by Eric Rorer

A heavy wood dining table is a bit of a masculine piece, so balance it out with some shine, like the copper triptych artwork. That way your space appeals to all genders.

Close-up view of a glamorous transitional dining room showing a thick wooden dining table, dark brown dining chairs with nailheads and a ring detail on the back. Coppery grasscloth wallpaper complements a triptych artwork on the rear wall showing real lotus leaves finished in copper. A rectilinear glass chandelier provides sparkle overhead. Live purple flowers are the centerpiece on the table, with greenery in vases either side.

Design by Kimball Starr / photo by Eric Rorer

You can come home from a long day at the office and still throw a glamorous late-night dinner party with very little effort in a dining room like this, adding a little texture and sparkle to your evening under a fabulous chandelier.

 

Contemporary dining room as viewed through the living room, showing on the left of the image, clean, modern lines of an industrial light-colored glass dining table with dark twisted metal legs topped with two bowls of greenery, surrounded by four light blue leather dining chairs, under a contemporary glass chandelier, offset by knotty rustic cedar wood wall construction and white oak flooring, plus a contemporary custom-designed fireplace in the living room to create a cozy focal point. The living room is finished with a small stool on top of a furry rug in front of the fireplace, while the fireplace itself is finished with a black-and-white artwork that matches the one in the dining room space.

Design by Kimball Starr / photo by Paul Dyer

If you don’t like a lot of fuss, then a contemporary-style dining space might be for you.

Close-up of a contemporary dining room showing white glass elements on the statement-piece round chandelier, an extendable white glass dining table, leather dining chairs in a light blue color, and a black and white patterned artwork hung on the back wall. A sliding glass door to the right of the image brings light into the space, while the knotty cedar wood walls feels cozy and natural.

Design by Kimball Starr / photo by Paul Dyer

This dining room is streamlined by clean designs with an industrial charm, as you can see in the modern glass table with twisted metal legs, surrounded by blue leather dining chairs. Leather and glass are a very modern style choice. The table also expands, so you can seat up to 8, and the knotty cedar wood wall construction, like a ski lodge, keeps it feeling cozy.

 

Looking into a traditional dining space in the style of Americana or historic arts and crafts, shown by the wood flooring, wood trim, wainscoting and picture rail. The recessed ceiling tray is painted a crème color, to differentiate it from the curved cove painted in melon color and the walls in a sky blue. A rock crystal chandelier hangs above the dining table, covered with a blue table cloth, and the wooden chairs have custom padded seat covers in a light-colored pattern. Roman shades in off-white finish the wood-trimmed windows, while a wooden storage unit is tucked into the arched alcove to the right of the space. Light is filtered through full-length sheer curtains on the left.

Design by Kimball Starr / photo by David Duncan Livingston

If you are drawn to natural elements with some history, a traditional dining room is a good style choice for you.

View into a traditional dining room, showing a table with tablecloth, custom seat pads on 4 wooden chairs, natural grass woven roman window shades, wood flooring and wood paneling with sky blue wall paint color and a melon-colored arched wall niche with a wooden storage unit.

Design by Kimball Starr / photo by David Duncan Livingston

The beauty of the natural wood and the craftsmanship really come through in a traditional dining space like this one. Going without a rug is in keeping with the style, and makes it easy to clean up after your meal.

Closer view inside a traditional dining space featuring wood trim and wainscoting. Artwork is hung from a picture rail with black grosgrain ribbon. A rock crystal chandelier hangs above the dining table, covered with a blue table cloth and set for breakfast. Light is filtered through full-length sheer curtains with a box pleat on the right. Straight ahead is the doorway into the foyer, and to the left is the doorway to the kitchen, all finished in warm wood trim.

Design by Kimball Starr / photo by David Duncan Livingston

Splurge on something like a Schonbeck chandelier made from gorgeous rock crystals, to continue the natural elements and complement the woodwork. This dining room would be perfect for someone who appreciates the classics.

 

So there you have it, three different dining room styles to announce the look and feel of your home, and the lifestyle you prefer. If you’re not sure which style is best for YOUR home, why not request a complimentary consultation with Kimball Starr today?

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Upscale Bathroom Remodel: Before and After

Aug 27, 2018 | Posted in Before & After |

I’m often asked how to transform bathrooms that are dark and cramped into light and airy spaces. Oh, and also to make the space look high-end or upscale as well, without breaking the bank. A tall order that seems impossible, but I’ve done it here!

View of upscale bathroom remodel showing pale blue tinted wall and ceiling color, 90-degree angled white porcelain floor tiles, white wood vanity with a white counter and a mirror above with white glass sconces either side. To the left is a shower with white subway tiles and silver fixtures, and to the right is a stained glass window.

Design by Kimball Starr, photo by David Duncan Livingston

This San Francisco bathroom was drowning in dark, outdated tiling with the toilet, tub, and sink all in tan. While I appreciate the effort from the original installer to color-coordinate everything, it unfortunately hasn’t stood the test of time, as you can see below in these “before” photos I took on-site.

"Before" images of an outdated San Francisco residential bathroom with tan tub, tan sink, matching tan tiling and towel rails, plus orangey-red edge tiles that are triangles pointed down, with dingy white painted walls above. This bathroom needs an upscale remodel!

The lonely mirror looked unfinished above a motel-style tiled edge, and the lighting was severely lacking. Those triangle tiles remind me of broken teeth!

View of bathroom showing pale blue tinted wall and ceiling color, 90-degree angled white porcelain floor tiles, white wood vanity with a white counter surface, silver hardware, and a silver-framed mirror above with silver and white glass sconces either side. To the left is a walk-in glass shower with white subway tiles, a real Calacatta and Celeste marble patterned shower wall niche, complementary angled white porcelain marble-look floor tiles, and silver shower fixtures.

Design by Kimball Starr, photo by David Duncan Livingston

What a change in the “after”! To make the room feel bigger, I turned the floor tiles at a 45-degree angle, which visually widens the space and feels more welcoming, and kept the color palette to pale light tones. The angled flooring is repeated in the shower pan in a smaller-scale pattern, the repetition of materials visually elongating the entire bathroom. All the flooring is durable, stain-proof, and maintenance-free porcelain that replicates the look of Calacatta marble.

Closeup of shower wall inset niche, pattern created in pearly white Calacatta marble, shaped almost like snowflakes, alternating with speckled pale blue diamond-shaped Celeste marble, framed by off-white subway tiles.

Design by Kimball Starr, photo by David Duncan Livingston

To create a high-end look, we added a custom detail for the shower niche. We splurged on real Calacatta and blue Celeste marble, and had our custom pattern fabricated just for us. The added bonus of having the marble recessed inside the niche and on a vertical surface means there will be minimal issues with staining.

"Before" remodel image: Open window above tan square tiles with orange-red subway tile edging plus downpointing "teeth"-effect tiles in the same orange-red, and a towel rail matching the tan squares. The tiling continues around the corner into a step-in arch-fronted shower with curtain pushed back to the right side. The rest of the painted walls are off-white.

Another way I opened up and lightened the space was by relocating the toilet where the shower enclosure was previously located. That allowed us to remove all the old shower tile, add a second window for more light, and brighten up the walls with a soft shade of blue.

Corner view of bathroom showing white counter surface and white wood cabinetry with blocky silver hardware that matches the silver taps and mirror frame, and one visible of a pair of silver sconces with white glass shades. Next to the light fixture and above the silver double towel rail, are two windows at a 90-degree angle creating a light-filled corner coming in to the space - the window facing the sink is a custom stained glass feature window - and to the right side of the second window sits the toilet in its new location.

Design by Kimball Starr, photo by David Duncan Livingston

A favorite custom detail is the stained glass window. The homeowner found a pattern she loved, and we had the stained glass window fabricated for us, installed to the right of the vanity. Custom elements like this and the marble shower niche elevate a simple utilitarian area into a higher-end space that’s unique and sophisticated.

Closeup of custom stained glass window with a prairie-style pattern almost like an arrow coming down from the sky, above a silver double towel rail, and next to a sconce light fixture in matching silver with a white glass shade. The walls are a pale blue and contrast with the white trim.

Design by Kimball Starr, photo by David Duncan Livingston

Completing the bathroom with paint in a soft powdery blue color gives enough contrast to the white fixtures and finishes to make the space interesting, while maintaining the serene and airy look.

 

If you’re due for a bathroom update, and are excited to bring in custom design elements for an upscale space, contact Kimball Starr today!

 

Kimball Starr Interior Design works with homeowners all across Northern California to create beautiful “afters” of your bathrooms, kitchens, and interior spaces throughout your home!

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