Lake House With Colorful Makeover
With long, all-white hallways, wrought iron chandeliers and tile floors, this lake house felt way too cold and austere for a family with kids. To help warm the space up, designer Kristina Crestin added shiplap to the walls, replaced the lights with fun fixtures and infused each room with bright splashes of color.

From:
Kristina Crestin
Open Concept Sitting Room + Dining Room + Kitchen
This combined kitchen, living space and dining room are perfectly coordinated in this coastal design theme.
Subtle periwinkles, blues and seaglass tones dominate the space, even repeating the seaglass color on the island lighting, which was painted to match the color palette in the space and bring in a pop of color in the island area. Warm, toasty white oak shiplap was chosen to balance the practical floor tile that would take all the abuse from kid traffic.
From:
Kristina Crestin
BEFORE: Entry
From:
Kristina Crestin
Coastal Entry with Shiplap Walls
By simply changing the millwork, this entry and stair space got a huge refresh. Shiplap walls greet visitors to an immediate ‘by the water’ feel. That combined with the watery painting featuring bold turquoises and greens (that reminded designers of lily pads) drives home the coastal feel. A LED light in the glass ball on the newel post is set to a photocell - so it comes on each night when it gets dark!
From:
Kristina Crestin
Stairs with Glass Lighting
A cascade of hand blown glass lighting really fills up the tall vertical space and looks magical in the evening. The glass ball on the newel post was outfitted with an LED light and comes on each night when it gets dark.
This stair design is appropriately scaled to the space and makes excellent use of the natural light.
From:
Kristina Crestin
Living Room with Stone Fireplace
White shiplap is a stunning focal point along with the stone fireplace surround. Blue accent walls really make the bright shiplap stand out in the space. Simple chairs with blue cushions and a stone coffee table make up the rooms furnishings.
From:
Kristina Crestin
BEFORE: Kitchen
From:
Kristina Crestin
Coastal Kitchen with Navy Stools
The kitchen has a clean, coastal feel in a transitional way. Designers added color in kitchen seating areas, notably by including simple navy blue Tolix stools. Subtle periwinkles, blues and seaglass tones dominate the kitchen area, even repeating the seaglass color on the island lighting, bringing in a pop of color in the island area.
From:
Kristina Crestin
Kitchen Island with Seating for 8
A super long island is the key to fitting a quantity of people into this kitchen. Loads of space is available for eight durable Tolix stools in a navy blue accent. A pantry tucked just round the corner keeps this kitchen clean and neat.
From:
Kristina Crestin
Coastal Dining Space with Cloud Chandelier
A focal point of this coastal design is the cloud chandelier about the dining table. Designer Kristina Crestin saw it as bubbles and watery and knew it would be perfect for the space.
From:
Kristina Crestin
Kitchen Sitting Area with Wood Coffee Table and Bar
Continuing the coastal color palette from the kitchen to this sitting space, designers chose a navy sofa and periwinkle accessories to create a sitting space that is comfortable and durable enough for homework and hanging out.
From:
Kristina Crestin
Wet Bar Area with Open Shelves
Open shelves and light wood cabinetry on this wet bar have a coastal vibe and fit with the surrounding space design.
From:
Kristina Crestin
Relaxed Coastal Family Room
A large beige sectional and ottoman are casual, relaxed seating in this bright white family space. Hues of blue in the rug, curtains, pillows and accessories give the room a coastal laid-back feel.
From:
Kristina Crestin
Coffee Nook in Pantry
This pantry, with its bright turquoise wallpaper, is where all the small appliance action happens as well as a bonus refrigerator. A swinging door allows for morning breakfast and coffee to all happen and be shut behind a door.
From:
Kristina Crestin
BEFORE: Butler Pantry
This space will become a dazzling new mudroom.
From:
Kristina Crestin
Mudroom with a Touch of Shiplap
This mudroom features a simple locker design that has space for everyone. Tile floors can take the abuse from kids, pets and wet shoes. White shiplap is adorable with the traditional coat hooks. The blue pendant light is a charming touch of color.
From:
Kristina Crestin
Numbers Detail in Shiplap Hallway
This hallway connects the mudroom to the new powder room. The floor to ceiling shiplap makes this hallway something special. Designer Kristina Crestin started collecting vintage 5’s and used this hall to display them in a creative way.
From:
Kristina Crestin
Powder Room with Fish Wallpaper
Obviously, the fish wallpaper is adorable and eye-catching in this powder room. But don't overlook the other creative design in this small space. The window was strategically placed to allow a mirror to be installed and to have a unifying trim. The window sill extends, capturing the backsplash thickness. The floating vanity has a toilet paper recess for stashing multiple rolls, making it quick and easy so no one ever has to change a roll of toilet paper!
From:
Kristina Crestin
Laundry with Seaglass Blue Cabinets
Natural light floods this cheery laundry room. Seaglass blue cabinets and matching pendant lights are happy and refreshing. A sink and counterspace are always appreciated in the laundry area and this room has plenty. Rolling carts, hanging space for drying, lower storage for laundry bins that go to each room (so they aren’t crowding the floor!) and a massive upper cabinet for linen storage are thoughtful touches that will certainly make laundry less of a chore.
From:
Kristina Crestin
Massive Laundry Room with 2 Pairs of Machines
This laundry room gets the job done, featuring 2 pairs of machines, room for rolling carts, hanging space for drying, lower storage for laundry bins that go to each room (so they aren’t crowding the floor!) and a massive upper cabinet for linen storage.
From:
Kristina Crestin
BEFORE: Hallway
From:
Kristina Crestin
Restful Retreat Nook
A wasted space in the form of a dated double height covered front door area became a newly found space with the design of this cozy space. By adding a floor, designer Kristina Crestin was able to carve out this little nook. A deep, long window seat with pillows and reading lights is perfect for lounging. Bookcases were built in to the awkward sloped ceiling, creating one of the kids most favorite places.
From:
Kristina Crestin
BEFORE
From:
Kristina Crestin
Master Bedroom with Sofa at the Foot of the Bed
A navy blue sofa replaces the traditional bedroom bench in this master bedroom. Blue walls orrdinate with the navy sofa and matching bed pillows. Neutral curtains, headboard and nightstands along with a plush, beige carpet balance the space.
From:
Kristina Crestin
BEFORE
From:
Kristina Crestin
Master Bedroom with Hues of Blue
Navy Blue is the standout color in this contemporary bedroom. Neutral ceiling beams, headboard and rug brighten the blue, creating a serene, calm space.
From:
Kristina Crestin
BEFORE: Master Bath
From:
Kristina Crestin
Master Bathroom with Green Door
This bathroom features a soaking tub, glass walk-in shower and dual-sinks set in a gorgeous wood vanity. The gray wall adds color to otherwise light space, but the green door is the attention-getter.
From:
Kristina Crestin
Contemporary Gray Master Bathroom with Dual Sink Wood Vanity
This stylish master bathroom features a large wood vanity with dual sinks and chic lighting sconces flanking matching wood-trimmed mirrors.
From:
Kristina Crestin
BEFORE
From:
Kristina Crestin
Hallway with Sliding Barn Door
This view of the hallway offers a sneak peek through the sliding wood door into a bedroom with blue curtains. Blue accented baskets in the hallway connect the spaces. A black farmhouse pendant light coordinates with the door hardware and a large art print completes the look.
From:
Kristina Crestin
Nook with Window Seat and Round Table
Once a wasted space in the form of a dated double height covered front door area, this nook is now a treasured retreat. By flooring the once open space and adding a window seat, bookcases and table, this is now a cherished spot to lounge and read a book, do homework or play a game.
From:
Kristina Crestin
BEFORE: 2nd Floor Hall Bath
From:
Kristina Crestin
Powder Room with Salmon Vanity
This 2nd floor hall bath has a true before/after feature. An existing vanity was kept for the space but painted a bold salmon tone. A new sink and hardware were part of this economical makeover. By adding a fun affordable wallpaper and new light fixture, this bathroom took on new life.
From:
Kristina Crestin
Little Girls Room with Pink Rug and Twin Canopy Beds
Twin white canopy beds with matching wood nightstands furnish this bright little girls room. A lively pink rug complements the bed linens and striped curtains. White walls and a sky blue ceiling add even more dazzle.
From:
Kristina Crestin
Girls Bedroom Desk Area and Storage
A built in desk and storage shelves are the perfect homework spot in this girls bedroom. White walls and shelves contrast with the blue painted ceiling adding visual interest and pink accents match the rest of the room design.
From:
Kristina Crestin
Boys Room with Bunks
Built in bunks feature little windows, adding natural light to each bunk space. By adding a wing wall to support the bunks, a desk ledge area was created to act as a good drop zone for charging devices. The bold chartreuse green is pulled out of the rug and onto the doors and windows in the room!
From:
Kristina Crestin
Boys Bunk Room with Climbing Wall
A little boys dream room always includes a rock climbing wall! This is certainly an active way for little ones to get to their bunk. The bold chartreuse green color was matched from the rug and used on doors and windows in the room.
From:
Kristina Crestin
BEFORE: Kids Bathroom
From:
Kristina Crestin
White Subway Tile Kids Bath
The shower curtain provides a burst of blue color to the white subway tiled walls in this kids bathroom. The gray vanity and dark fixtures add color as well. Reflected in the mirror are whimsical towel hooks.
From:
Kristina Crestin
Adorable Towel Hooks In Kid Bath
We are just in love with the adorable and whimsical towel hooks used in this kid bathroom. They look like little kiddos climbling the walls.
From:
Kristina Crestin
Indoor Pool with Wood Plank Ceiling
This home features a gorgeous indoor pool with tile floors and beautiful wood plank ceiling.
From:
Kristina Crestin
Bathroom with Fun Scribble Wallpaper
Located beside the pool, this bathroom is just bright and fun. A white wallpaper with a scribble paper is whimsical and interesting. Ceilings are painted a soft, muted blue that adds color reminiscent of the sky and is relaxing.
From:
Kristina Crestin

Photo By: Jared Kuzia Photography