A before and after photo tells a fast story. A dated room on one side. A finished, functional space on the other, but the real story sits in between.
That is the part most homeowners never see. The planning. The trade-offs. The decisions that turn a tired room into one that works.
The ND Interiors before and after gallery is full of these stories. Let’s break down what actually changes across those projects, and why.
Kitchens: The Most Requested Transformation
Kitchens dominate the gallery, and that tracks with national data. According to the 2026 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study, 76% of renovating homeowners add specialty built-in features to their kitchens. Pantry cabinets are the top choice, used by 47%.
Dated cabinetry is typically replaced with functional storage. Layouts often open up toward adjoining living areas. Finishes are usually upgraded for durability first, style second.
One of our projects includes a dedicated butler’s pantry. That is a growing request nationally. Houzz reports that nearly 1 in 10 renovating homeowners now add one, mainly to keep clutter out of sight and gain extra storage. Butler’s pantries in the study commonly include small appliance storage, a prep counter, and enclosed cabinetry.
The takeaway: A kitchen transformation is rarely just a new countertop. It is usually a rethink of how the space is actually used, day to day.
Bathrooms: Small Footprint, Big Impact
Bathroom projects show a different kind of change. Square footage is often fixed. There is no room to expand.
So the transformation typically comes from smarter use of the space that already exists. Storage gets built in rather than added on. Lighting shifts from a single overhead fixture to layered, task-specific sources. Fixtures and finishes update the room without changing its footprint.
These are often the projects that surprise homeowners most. A small bathroom can look and feel considerably larger, without a single wall moving.
Living, Dining, and Everyday Spaces
Living rooms, family rooms, and dining spaces make up another large share of the gallery. These projects tend to be less about construction and more about furniture, layout, and flow.
A room that once felt formal or underused is often reworked to support how a family actually lives. Furniture is scaled to the room. Lighting is layered rather than singular. Custom pieces, when used, are built to fit a specific space rather than forced into it.
This is where custom furniture and millwork tend to make the biggest visible difference. A built-in banquette, a tailored media wall, or a fitted bookcase can solve a layout problem that off-the-shelf furniture cannot.
The Common Thread Across Every Project
Every project in the gallery, regardless of room type, tends to follow the same underlying process. Assess the space. Understand how it is actually used. Then design toward that reality, not a generic template.
That approach traces back to how ND Interiors was founded. Nancy Davilman spent 14 months on-site renovating her own century-old Larchmont Manor home before launching the design studio in 2012. She learned the trades, the timeline, and the full arc of a construction project by living through one herself.
That hands-on design process shapes how every project in the gallery gets projected, budgeted, managed, and finalized.
Why These Transformations Involve a Professional
It is tempting to assume a before and after gallery shows what a homeowner could achieve alone. National data suggests otherwise.
According to the 2026 U.S. Houzz Renovation Plans Report, more than 9 in 10 homeowners plan to work with professionals on their 2026 renovations. That share rises further on projects over $50,000. Kitchen and bath designers are among the most commonly hired specialists.
As Forbes reported on the same Houzz research, homeowners often want a butler’s pantry less for entertaining and more for everyday storage and decluttering. That kind of insight typically comes from someone who has managed dozens of similar projects, not a single renovation.
A professional designer usually catches problems before they become expensive. Plumbing constraints. Load-bearing walls. Lead times on custom pieces. These are the details that rarely show up in a “before” photo, but often determine how smooth the after becomes.
How to Use the Gallery Before You Reach Out
Browsing a before and after gallery works best with a plan. A few practical steps can help:
- Save the projects that resonate. Note which rooms feel closest to your own goals.
- Look past the finishes. Pay attention to layout changes, storage solutions, and lighting choices.
- Bring your pain points, not just your Pinterest board. What frustrates you about the space now matters as much as what you want it to become.
- Keep budget realistic. Scope and budget typically shape outcomes more than style preferences alone.
Every project in the gallery started as a homeowner’s own version of “before.” The goal is a space that works for how you actually live, not a copy of someone else’s project.
Ready to See What’s Possible in Your Own Space?
If a project in the gallery caught your eye, that is a useful starting point for a conversation. Nancy and the ND Interiors team can walk through what a similar transformation might look like for your home, your budget, and your timeline. Send an inquiry to get started.
