Michigan Retreat Four Seasons Room:

The interior of this custom Michigan retreat would not be complete without a proper four-seasons room. This large, inviting space serves as a year-round sanctuary: a cool refuge for iced tea and sunlit afternoons in summer, and a cozy haven for hot tea beside the roaring fire as snow drifts across the wooded Michigan landscape.

A vaunted ceiling defines the room’s vertical drama, drawing the eye upward and amplifying the sense of openness. The floor-to-ceiling black brick fireplace anchors the space, its deep, tactile surface providing a bold contrast to the light streaming through expansive windows. The fireplace’s scale and finish maintain continuity with the home’s interior décor, balancing raw materiality with refined detailing.

The palette and furnishings read masculine, understated, and elegant. Clean lines, rich woods, and textured fabrics create a restrained warmth—layers that invite lingering without claiming attention. Thoughtful built-ins and subtle lighting enhance comfort while preserving the room’s uncluttered composition.

Framed by the surrounding woods, the four-seasons room becomes an immersive extension of the landscape: panoramic views by day, a glowing hearth and soft lamplight by night. It is a quietly commanding space—designed for relaxed gatherings, reflective solitude, and the simple pleasure of seasonal change.

To see more of our work, or to schedule a photo shoot please visit our website. www.normansizemore.com

Private Dining Room, Harbor Inn Chicago:

Commercial interior design for hospitality can be challenging. We loved the exposed brick and finished hardwood accents in this private dining room at Chicago’s Harbor Inn. Clean lines, warm textures, and layered lighting created a welcoming, intimate atmosphere for guests. More to come.

To see more of our work or to schedule a photoshoot please visit our website. www.normansizemore.com

Contemporay Powder Room:

 Shooting powder rooms can be challenging — they’re small spaces that still need to feel expansive and intentional. For this powder room we used an ultra-wide architectural lens to convey the room’s proportions and include as much of the composition as possible, giving a clear sense of scale and flow.

The design continues the understated elegance found throughout the home: a contemporary, monochromatic palette that reads almost like a small gallery. Clean lines, carefully chosen finishes, and subtle lighting create an immediate impression of restraint and refinement the moment you step inside. This space is a quiet but confident statement within the home’s overall narrative — the work of Master Builder Joshua Schmidke. More to come. To see more of our work, or to schedule a photoshoot please visit our website. www.normansizemore.com

Home Office Transforms Into Spare Bedroom:

A second home office in this expansive custom Michigan residence by Schmidke Construction transforms effortlessly into a third bedroom. The convertible bed, crafted from the same black oak as the desk and bookcase, maintains a cohesive, refined aesthetic while maximizing functionality. Clean lines and consistent materials keep the space visually calm whether used for work or rest. Thoughtful detailing—concealed hardware, integrated shelving, and tailored finishes—ensures the conversion feels seamless and intentional. A practical, brilliant solution that balances luxury and everyday living.

To see more of our work, or to schedule a photoshoot please visit our website.  www.normansizemore.com

Michigan Retreat Bespoke Kitchen & Dining Area:

One of the most striking features of this masculine Michigan retreat is the monochromatic contemporary design, black on white.  The contrast is dramatic.  The entire home has an art gallery appeal, yet if offers comfortable spaces that are both inviting and practical.  The kitchen is no exception.  Commercial grade appliances, custom cabinetry, large center island for entertaining, preparing food, or sitting down too for a lunch or breakfast.  This space wouldn’t be out of place in a professional chefs personal home.  

Another feature of the wide open area, is that the kitchen spills out into the dining area,  which is open to the great room.  Every turn offers a unique view, with many pieces of fine are expertly placed for aesthetic and conversation.  More to come.  To see more of our work, or to schedule a photoshoot please visit our website.  www.normansizemore.com

Michigan Retreat Master Suite:

The masculine contemporary master suite of this Michigan retreat offers clean lines, abundant space, and understated elegance. The spacious bedroom features custom furniture that emphasizes proportion and restraint, creating a calm, refined atmosphere. A generous dressing area expands the suite’s functionality; bespoke black oak built-in dressers and an armoire introduce rich, warm tones and finely crafted details that elevate the room’s aesthetic. Thoughtful materials and a pared-back palette reinforce the suite’s modern sensibility while the tailored millwork, and construction provide tactile luxury. More to come. www.normansizemore.com

Shooting Stephanie:

Back in 2020 we met up with interior designer Stephanie Nickolson at her North Shore condo for a relaxed afternoon of headshots and conversation. Stephanie asked us to stop by and shoot a few portraits, and what began as a quick session turned into a favorite memory—good company, a little scotch, and plenty of shop talk between frames.

Stephanie has been practicing design for 40 years, a milestone that speaks to the depth and consistency of her work. Her projects span many areas of the design industry, and her eye and expertise have earned frequent features in this blog. Working with her is always a pleasure: she brings warmth, professionalism, and an infectious curiosity that makes every shoot feel collaborative.

We’ve got more shoots lined up with Stephanie in the coming months, so stay tuned to see more of her interiors and the creative projects she’s bringing to life.

To see more of our work, or to schedule a photoshoot please visit our website. www.normansizemore.com

Michigan Greate Room:

Continuing this morning with a secluded Custom Retreat in Michigan by master builder Joshua Schmidke. Contemporary design and impeccable construction reveal thoughtful, memorable details throughout. The Great Room’s focal point is a floor-to-ceiling, double-sided fireplace in matte black — a dramatic anchor that both defines the space and divides it from the adjoining Den area. On the library side the same fireplace creates a cozier, more intimate atmosphere, transforming the smaller room into a calm reading niche while maintaining visual continuity. More from this exceptional home to come.

To see more of our work, or to schedule a photoshoot please visit our website.  www.normansizemore.com

Michigan Retreat - Master Bath:

Continuing through this custom Michigan home, the master bath suite emphasizes clean lines and refined restraint. Minimal contemporary details are underscored by commercial-grade hardware and seamless fixtures, creating an uncluttered, spa-like atmosphere. Surfaces flow with a quiet precision—matte finishes, narrow grout lines, and discreetly integrated storage maintain the room’s streamlined silhouette.

Adjacent, the closet and dressing room are equally considered. A solid black walnut built-in dresser anchors the space with warm, natural grain and a tactile weight that contrasts the bath’s cooler materials. Thoughtful organization and generous drawer depth offer practical ease for daily routines, while the finish and joinery elevate the moment of getting ready into a deliberate, composed ritual. Together the suite and dressing area strike a balance of comfort and contemporary discipline.

To see more of our work, or to schedule a photoshoot please visit our website. www.normansizemore.com

Contemporary Michigan Retreat - Home Office:

One of the many standout rooms in the custom Michigan retreat is this home office. The black walls and ceiling create a dramatic, enveloping backdrop that highlights the clean lines of the black-framed sliding doors. A handmade modern hardwood desk and custom lowboy bookcases provide both function and fine craftsmanship, their warm wood tones balancing the dark architecture. A mid-century 1960s–style orange office chair and porcelain lamps introduce a modern-retro accent, adding color and personality without competing with the room’s restrained palette. More to come.

To see more of our work, or to schedule a photoshoot please visit our website. www.normansizemore.com

Michigan Retreat - Kitchen and Dining Room:

Just a couple of teaser shots of the kitchen and dining area from this custom home, by Schmidke Construction. We will be featuring this Michigan retreat room by room. Stayed tuned. Lots more to come. To see more of our work, or to schedule a photoshoot, please visit our website. www.normansizemore.com

Art Gallery Living Room:

Just a glimpse of one of Davia Karla’s modern-contemporary interiors: a monumental canvas commanding the wall, a floating fireplace anchoring the living space, rich hardwood floors warmed by hand‑woven carpets. Bespoke contemporary furnishings and an artful mix of iron, plaster, wood, and textiles create a gallery‑like atmosphere—clean lines, tactile detail, and thoughtful contrasts throughout. More to come.

To see more of our work, or to schedule a photoshoot please visit our website. www.normansizemore.com

Hinsdale Studio:

We photographed this Hinsdale studio for renowned designer Davia Karla. This compact space offers a small glimpse into the artistic pulse of Davia’s work—thoughtful composition, refined material choices, and unexpected moments of texture and color. We’ll be sharing more of her projects in upcoming posts.

Some favorites below. To see more of our work, or schedule a photoshoot please visit our website. www.normansizemore.com