A curved staircase has a way of turning plain “getting upstairs” into a real moment in your home. Glass Rail for a Minimal Curve A floating curved oak stair with seamless glass rail—minimal lines, maximum warmth. If you love the curve but hate visual clutter, a glass balustrade lets the curved staircase float in the room. I’ve worked alongside installers on a glass-and-wood curve, and the clean edges make the wood grain stand out even…

A built-in room divider is my favorite way to carve out cozy zones without killing the light or the flow. Half Wall with Column Openings A classic half wall with open columns—architectural separation that keeps the room light. I’ve built a classic half wall topped with simple columns to hint at a “room within a room” while keeping sightlines open for conversation. If you’re separating an entry from the living area, this built-in room divider…

Living room shutters can totally change how your space feels—more calm, more finished, and way easier to control the sun. Tier-on-Tier Shutters for Maximum Flexibility Tier-on-tier shutters: top open for soft daylight, bottom closed for cozy privacy. I installed tier-on-tier shutters in a living room once and immediately wished I’d done it sooner—top open for daylight, bottom closed for privacy. Maybe worth checking out: Customizable Interior Wooden Shutters: Install classic wooden shutters to achieve flexible…

A modern traditional living room is that sweet spot where classic details feel fresh, not fussy. I love building this look around timeless woodwork and cozy shapes, then editing it down with clean lines and an airy palette. Add a Quiet Statement With Fluted Wood Fluted wood adds old-world craft with a crisp, modern twist—quietly bold and timeless. For a modern traditional living room wow moment that still feels classic, I love fluted wood on…

A garage rec room is basically the best kind of makeover: you keep the big open footprint, but swap the “storage vibes” for comfort and fun. Try a DIY Shuffleboard Table Build DIY shuffleboard table with a glass-smooth finish—sleek craftsmanship for a garage game lounge. For a true wow-factor garage rec room, I love a DIY shuffleboard table—long, sleek, and totally doable if you’re comfortable with straight cuts and sanding. I’ve finished one with a…

A wood floor changes the whole vibe of a living room—it’s like the room’s “base note” that everything else harmonizes with. I’ve built and styled around a lot of floors in my own projects, and these ideas will help you make your living room wood flooring feel intentional, cozy, and totally you. Matte Finish for a Lived-In Vibe Matte oak floors add instant warmth—soft, lived-in, and forgiving of everyday footprints. In real homes, I’m a…

Black, white, and wood is my go-to combo when I want a room to feel crisp and modern without getting cold. You get that clean contrast from black-and-white, and then natural wood swoops in with warmth and texture. Two-Tone Kitchen: White Uppers, Black Lowers, Wood Two-tone drama, airy and bright: white uppers, black lowers, and warm wood to unite it all. I’ve worked on a few kitchens with white upper cabinets and black lowers, and…

A great bar lounge is less about having more bottles and more about creating that cozy, “stay for one more” vibe. Rustic Bar Front With Reclaimed Wood Reclaimed wood bar front with nail holes and saw marks—warm, rustic character in clean style. A reclaimed plank front gives your bar lounge that warm, collected-over-time feeling I can’t resist. I’ve used boards with old nail holes and saw marks, and they make the bar feel instantly more…

In a studio, a good room divider is basically a magic trick: you get “rooms” without building walls. I’m always chasing that sweet spot where you get privacy and storage, but the space still feels bright and open. Sliding Panel Room Divider Warm wood sliding panel divider—open by day, close at night for instant studio bedroom vibes. I love a sliding room divider because you can open it up during the day and close it…

Grey and wood is my favorite kind of contrast: cool and calm on one side, warm and lived-in on the other. With the right mix of texture and tone, a grey and wood living room can feel both modern and seriously cozy. Grey Sectional With Wood-Leg Accent Chairs Grey sectional, airy balance: a wood-leg chair that breaks up the grey and keeps it light. A grey sectional can look huge, so I like breaking it…