Captivating kitchens and beguiling baths to inspire your next redo.

Remodeling these practical powerhouses consistently tops the list for adding value and enjoyment to homes—with as much as a 70% potential return on investment, according to the National Association of Realtors. “It is important to balance function with aesthetics in kitchens and baths,” says interior designer Esther Boivin. “You want these spaces to be timeless and efficient, and that involves selecting durable, quality materials. Fostering a positive energy flow in the layout also creates a pleasing experience that promotes overall wellness.” We asked Boivin and other local designers to share their favorite oases, which include bold color palettes ,efficient fixtures, practical solutions and luxurious finishes.

Boivin transformed the kitchen of a Desert Mountain home, utilizing the existing floor plan to design a sleek, contemporary space. The remodel features contemporary cabinetry, accent lighting and high-end materials—including a quartzite backsplash and range hood. The luxury aesthetic continues into the adjacent bar area with cascading waterfall melted glass countertops and an illuminated crystal backsplash. “Pictures do not even do it justice,” Boivin says of the completed kitchen. “It’s even more beautiful in person.”

A wall and range hood of sparkling quartzite make a dramatic statement. The bottom of the hood glows, thanks to backlighting. “I did not want to overdo it by lighting the whole wall, so I just did a little LED strip around the edge of the range hood,” Boivin says.

A linear chandelier with pendants of varying lengths hovers above the kitchen island, with countertops crafted with a blend of glass and stone. Matte acrylic cabinetry and wood floors add a warm, organic feel.

This spalike modern Mediterranean primary bath envisioned by interior designers Mandy Sherman and Caroline Swaback boasts a soft yet upscale palette. “The owners were inspired by Spanish and Moroccan motifs,” Sherman says. Complementing the neutral backdrop, light terra cotta flooring and brass hardware and fixtures create a refreshing, timeless ambiance. “The small moments of sage green in the tilework provide a soft accent and highlight the surrounding desert landscape—and carefully curated plumbing fixtures act as the jewelry,” Swaback says.

To breathe life into a previously whitewashed farmhouse-style kitchen, interior designer Emily Yeates opted for a bold transformation. She painted the ivory cabinetry a fresh shade of olive green, replaced the countertops and introduced a vibrant, three-dimensional tile for the backsplash. “The owners have personalities,” she notes, “and the house should reflect that.”

Interior designer Jaimee Rose aimed for an earthy, organic feel in this cream-colored kitchen, focusing on texture and tone over contrast. The use of chalky plasters, leathered stone and chunky, imperfect Zellige tile adds character and depth to the space, while arched passageways and bullnose corners introduce softness and curves, fulfilling the owners’ desire for a welcoming atmosphere. “It feels like a deep sigh each time you walk in,” Rose remarks.

In this charming Paradise Valley guesthouse bathroom, interior designers Isabel Dellinger Candelaria and Nikka Bochniak have created a vibrant oasis with an array of patterned terra cotta tiles. “It was a small space,” Bochniak explains, “so to liven it up, we used a mixed palette as a focal point, keeping with the Santa Barbara style in the main home.”  Stained wood cabinetry, white quartz countertops and polished nickel fixtures provide a subtle yet sophisticated contrast to the bold tile statement.

This space plays triple duty as a guest and pool bath and powder room, thanks to its location in the main entry hall of the home and access to the backyard. Interior designer Shelagh Conway closed off an adjacent wine cellar to accommodate an expansive shower featuring custom tile. “The owners wanted a relatable design aesthetic for both guests and kids,” Conway says. “The star tiles were the perfect choice. We also created an outdoor courtyard with a privacy wall and pergola to integrate with the yard outside the shower, and a bench for changing or holding wet towels when coming from the pool.”

A spec home provided interior designer Kristen Forgione a canvas for creativity, allowing her to explore a striking new aesthetic. “We had the freedom to push the boundaries and infuse this kitchen with a moodier, edgier vibe,” she says. “Think New York City penthouse with bold marbles, dark cabinets and modern lighting.” The space is accentuated by oversized disc pendant lighting, sleek quartz countertops, a marble-slab backsplash and custom polished-brass and glass shelves that add playful contrast.

For this kitchen remodel, interior designer Amy Klosterman shifted from cool grays to dark wood tones. “The warmer hues are perfect matches for rich metallic finishes, and the dimensional hood is a captivating focal point,” she states. The owners’ vision included textural interest, artfully patterned quartzite countertops and a visually subdued backsplash. The hood, crafted from a dimensional medium-density fiber material, features a custom metallic finish, while the back-painted matte glass backsplash panels offer low maintenance and a subtle balance to the countertops.

A vintage midcentury modern aesthetic inspired this primary bathroom redo. Using a blend of warm, earthy tones, vibrant patterns and natural wood finishes, interior designer Shelbie Plautz transformed a once choppy, cramped layout into a cozy yet sophisticated haven. “This bathroom is unique because it combines modern design with touches of color and pattern,” she says. Hexagonal terra cotta flooring, brass fixtures and black finishes add elegant contrast. “The custom vanity is a statement piece with its detailed craftsmanship, and the finishes give vibrancy but still offer an overall feeling of tranquility,” adds the designer.

Homeowners sought the expertise of interior designer Lauren Lerner to convert their desert retreat from builder-grade to extravagant. In the bathroom, Lerner faced the challenge of updating the space on a realistic budget while maintaining a high-end feel without requiring a full renovation. “We focused on upgrading the plumbing and enhancing the area with mirrors, lighting and accessories,” she explains. Warm wood and brass accents complement the contemporary “vacation vibe” throughout the home.

Sources

Interior designer: Esther Boivin, Allied ASID, Esther Boivin Interiors, Scottsdale, estherboivininteriors.com. Cabinetry and bar shelving: Linear Design, Scottsdale. linearfinewoodworking.com.  Melted glass bar countertops: World Glass Design LLC, Scottsdale, (480) 577-5888. Wood flooring: Premiere Wood Floors, Scottsdale, premierewoodfloors.com. Kitchen countertops: geoluxe.com.

Builder: American First Builders, Scottsdale, americanfirstbuilders.com. Interior designers: Caroline Swaback and Mandy Sherman, Studio V Interiors, Scottsdale, studiovinteriors.com. Tile: Tabarka Studio, Scottsdale, tabarkastudio.com; Craftsman Court Ceramics, Scottsdale, craftsmancourt.com. Plumbing fixtures: Waterworks, Scottsdale, waterworks.com; catchpoleandrye.com.

Remodeling builder: Rebuild The Block, Phoenix, rebuildtheblock.net. Interior designer: Emily Yeates, Urban Revival, Phoenix, urbanrevivalphx.com.

Architect: Cosan Studio, Scottsdale, cosanstudio.com. Builder: Tinker Development, Scottsdale, tinkerdevelopment.com; AllHaus, Scottsdale, allhaus.com. Interior designer: Jaimee Rose, Jaimee Rose Interiors, Phoenix, jaimeerose.com. Wall and hood plaster: Compound Concrete, Phoenix, compoundconcrete.com. Wall sconces: verellen.biz.

Architect: Mark Candelaria, AIA, Candelaria Design, Scottsdale, candelariadesign.com. Builder: Greg Hunt, GM Hunt Builders & Remodelers Inc., Phoenix, gmhuntbuilders.com. Interior designers: Isabel Dellinger Candelaria and Nikka Bochniak, Earth and Images, Phoenix, earthandimages.com. Tile: Arizona Tile, Tempe, arizonatile.com.

Interior designer: Shelagh Conway, Triple Heart Design, Buckeye, tripleheartdesign.com. Tile: ziatile.com.

Architect: John Anthony, John Anthony Drafting & Design, Phoenix, jadrafting.com. Builder: E&S Builders, Scottsdale, esbuildersaz.com. Interior designer: Kristen Forgione, THELIFESTYLEDCO, Phoenix, thelifestyledco.com. Cabinetry: Rysso Peters, Scottsdale, (480) 946-0088. Backsplash: Galleria of Stone, Phoenix, galleriaofstoneaz.com. Countertops: Arizona Tile, Tempe, arizonatile.com. Faucet and pot filler: devolkitchens.com. Shelves: palmerindustries.com.

Interior designer: Amy Klosterman, Allied ASID, AB Design Elements LLC, Scottsdale, abdesignelements.com.

Interior designer: Lauren Lerner, Living With Lolo, Scottsdale, livingwithlolo.com. Plumbing fixtures: build.com. Lighting: Sun Lighting, Tempe, sunlighting.com.

Interior designer: Shelbie Plautz, Treasure in the Detail, Gilbert, treasureinthedetail.com. General contractor: The Contractor Guys, Tempe, thecontractorguysaz.com. Cabinetry: The Public House Creative, Phoenix, publichousecreative.com. Tile: Bedrosians Tile & Stone, Scottsdale, bedrosians.com. Vanity sconce lighting: Lucent Lightshop, Phoenix, lucentlightshop.com.