Los Angeles Design Blog | Material Girls | LA Interior Design

This past week I was researching inspiration for closets and built-ins for a client project that currently requires renovating two bedrooms. The closets in both rooms may be visible to the room itself, so the most ideal way to make them presentable is to make them look good! That means built-in drawers and cabinetry, nice hardware and lighting, and other decorative elements to create a stylish closet space.

{image via Tumblr}

An attic space turned closet with gold and metallic accents, wallpapered ceilings.

{image via Pinterest}

Small and narrow, but every inch accounted for.

{image via Elle Decor}

Everything is neatly concealed behind paneled doors, with a stunning entry door.

{image via Pinterest}

A full length mirror makes a narrow space appear larger.

{image via Conspicuous Style}

A dramatic high gloss black painted dressing room.

Having a walk-in pantry is a luxury.  Many of the kitchen remodels I have been designing lately have not been able to afford such a luxury due to space limitations.  Instead the client has opted for tall pantry storage, which is still essential even if it means forgoing upper and lower cabinets, and using a portion of counter space to accommodate tall pantry storage.  But with one exceptional client, she has not only room for a butler’s pantry – but also a walk-in pantry. Because this is a room in itself – the idea came into play:  how do we make this room a beautiful space? I think the images here provide some great inspiration (the above picture being my favorite)!

All images via Houzz.

Awhile back, I featured a post titled “Hanging by a rope…” – with some fun, hanging beds.  I came across another image on ohdeedoh of a room with not just one, or two – but three hanging beds! Fun!

Small spaces, transitional spaces, and spaces leading to other spaces…here are some decorative hallways and enclaves!

[Images collected and sourced over time via the Internet]

Looking for inspiration for one on my own projects, the “Idea Cottage” featured in this month’s Coastal Living magazine is full of fresh inspiration!  For a full descirption, read here.

{The Living Room}

{Kitchen}

{Dining Room}

{Guest Bath}

{Den}

{Master Bathroom}

{Courtyard}

I’ve seen many a garage in my lifetime. As a kid, I remember my cousin and I hid for hours from my brother in my aunt and uncle’s detached garage that was actually not used as a garage but used as a sort of indoor/outdoor rec room where many kid birthday parties were celebrated. That was the 70’s. Do people still do that now? Seems these days, I see homes with 3-4-5-6 car garages (I live in LA!), others with the garaged packed like a storage unit, and still others who’s garages are meticulous: the complete organized built in storage, the second fridge, space for five cars, etc. My guess is the kids aren’t playing hide and seek in the garage and the parent’s aren’t throwing kid birthday parties in the garage! That aside, the garage is still another room extension of one’s home. I think it has a lot more potential then most people make of it.

Maserati along with Architectural Digest is currently on the search for the best in architectural garages. I would think you don’t quite have to have the car collection as these garages do. But here are three of the top votes in so far:

To enter Maserati’s search for the finest of architectural garages, submit your entry here.

So what have you done with your garage?

As I was flipping thru the most recent Metropolitan Home magazine, I came across this really innovative way to create a “wine cellar” – a niche under the stairs of a residential project enclosed by glass. The design is very architectural. What a great use of space, too! It inspires me to be more creative with areas to create wine storage. I’ve seen some great ideas in restaurants, but this really makes sense of space in a residential project. The picture is featured in the October 2008 issue.