"Modern simplicity is the art of stripping away the excess to reveal a design that never ages."― Trina Tanner

Designer Bio

Trina Tanner | Interior Designer

With a keen eye for "stealth luxury" and a passion for minimalist architecture, Trina Tanner specializes in creating spaces that feel both cutting-edge and deeply personal. Her design philosophy is rooted in the belief that a home should be a curated reflection of its inhabitant—refined, balanced, and free of unnecessary noise.

Drawing inspiration from natural textures and modern geometry, she excels at transforming standard layouts into high-end, gallery-inspired environments. Whether it’s a spa-like residential retreat or a high-functioning modern kitchen, she focuses on the subtle details—the way light hits a surface, the tactile quality of stone, and the flow of movement—to deliver timeless interiors for the modern era.

With a signature lens that blends Contemporary Traditional warmth with technical precision, design spaces that feel both elevated and deeply lived-in. She doesn't just design rooms; she uncovers the true potential of every square inch by blending natural textures, such as white oak, with architectural accents to create environments that feel both curated and deeply personal.

My Approach

I believe that a truly elevated space isn’t defined by how much you add, but by the intentionality of every element left behind. My work focuses on Modern Simplicity—a philosophy that prioritizes high-quality textures, clean architectural lines, and a neutral, grounded palette to create homes that feel both fresh today and relevant decades from now.

We loved the collab; the results speak for themselves. Looking forward to working together again.

― Michael Thompson, City Planning and Development

Ideation

Every project deserves a strong foundation. I take ideation really seriously to meet client needs.

Planning

From floor plans to mood boards, I cover all aspects of planning so we can choose what best suits the project.

Execution

I provide dedicated oversight during project execution to ensure timely delivery and strict adherence to budget.

Tranquel Kitchen Mood

This project explores a refined 'Mushroom and Marble' palette, utilizing strategic color blocking to create visual depth. By pairing muted taupe base cabinets with airy white uppers, the space feels grounded yet expansive. The integration of a waterfall marble island and brushed gold accents serves as a luxurious focal point, bridging the gap between classic warmth and modern minimalism.

Cabinetry Modern shaker-style doors in a warm, matte taupe/mushroom finish.

Hardware Minimalist brushed gold T-bar handles and pulls.

Countertops Polished white marble (or quartz) with soft, organic grey veining.

Faucet High-arc brushed gold gooseneck faucet.

Lighting Hand-blown clear glass pendants with antique gold sockets and chain.

Flooring Wide-plank natural white oak with a matte protective finish.

The Modern Coastal Organic kitchen design seamlessly flows into this bathroom by carrying over the same core material language and high-contrast philosophy. This continuity creates a home that feels intentionally designed and cohesive.

The Material Connection

The bathroom mirrors the kitchen’s aesthetic through several key "anchor" materials:

  • Warm Wood Tones: The floating white oak vanity matches the warmth of the kitchen island and wide-plank flooring, preventing the clean white space from feeling clinical.

  • High-Contrast Hardware: The matte black hardware—from the faucets to the shower door tracks—provides the same sharp, architectural lines found in the kitchen’s geometric pendants and cabinet pulls.

  • Textural Tile Work: The vertical stack white wall tile is a direct callback to the kitchen backsplash, providing a consistent vertical rhythm throughout the home. Start describing your topic in a few words. Ensure that you stay concise and professional.

Key Performance Features

  • Plywood-Core Cabinetry: While many stock cabinets use particleboard, choosing a plywood-core option (such as high-end KraftMaid or Origin 21 lines at Lowe's) offers better structural stability and moisture resistance. It won't sag under heavy quartz countertops and holds screws more securely over decades of use.

  • Non-Porous Quartz: Unlike marble or granite, Quartz (such as Silestone is non-porous. This means it has an antimicrobial surface that naturally inhibits bacterial growth and never requires chemical sealing to prevent staining.

  • Enameled Cast Iron Sinks: The KOHLER Whitehaven features a thick porcelain enamel coating that is fired at extreme temperatures. This creates a surface that is virtually impossible to scratch and can withstand extreme thermal shock (e.g., pouring boiling pasta water into a cold sink).

  • Large-Format Marble Porcelain: The shower walls use a 24x48 marble-look porcelain, which mimics the veining of the kitchen quartz but offers superior water resistance for wet areas.

  • Matte Black Hexagon Floor: The matte black hex tile in the shower provides essential slip resistance while grounding the bright room, much like the dark charcoal cabinets anchor the kitchen.

This renovation project is a masterclass in Modern Coastal Organic design—a style that balances the sleek, clean lines of modern architecture with the warmth of natural materials.

The goal was to create a home that feels high-end and curated, yet durable enough for everyday life. By mixing textures like matte black metal, glossy ceramic, and warm white oak, the space achieves a "layered" look that prevents modern design from feeling cold or sterile.

The Design Philosophy

  • Contrast as a Tool: We used a "High-Contrast Minimalist" approach. The charcoal-grey cabinetry and matte black fixtures provide a sharp anchor against the airy white walls and light quartz countertops.

  • Organic Warmth: To prevent the black-and-white palette from feeling too stark, we integrated Spiced Oak flooring and natural wood island accents. This "grounds" the room and adds a coastal, relaxed vibe.

  • Reflective Texture: The use of the Cloe backsplash is intentional; its undulating surface catches the light differently throughout the day, adding movement to the kitchen.

Key Performance Features

Beyond the looks, this project prioritizes materials that last:

  • Quartz Countertops: Highly resistant to the "big three" kitchen killers: heat, stains, and scratches.

  • Eco-Resilient Flooring: 100% waterproof, making it a seamless choice that can run from the front door through the kitchen and into the bathrooms without transitions.

  • Enameled Cast Iron: The KOHLER sink is designed to never chip or crack, maintaining that bright white look for decades.

Shoreline Design

The "Shoreline" Design Elements

Integrating Beach and Sand textures takes the "Modern Coastal Biophilic" design and grounds it in a warmer, more tactile earthiness. It shifts the palette from purely "water" tones to the "shoreline" itself.

  • The "Sand" Palette: We swap stark whites for Warm Alabaster and Sand-Dune Beige. This mimics the sun-bleached look of the coast and makes the room feel warmer and more inviting.

  • Textural Contrast: Incorporating honed (matte) travertine or sandstone-finish quartz countertops provides a subtle, gritty texture that feels like smooth beach stones under your hands.

  • Driftwood Accents: The white oak is treated with a light grey wash to mimic the appearance of driftwood, adding a sense of history and weathered resilience to the island and butler's pantry.

  • Luxury Mudroom & Dog Wash Station: An absolute game-changer. By raising the Elevated Basin in the bath to waist height, we prioritize ergonomics, saving the homeowner from back strain. Tiling it in the same vertical stack white tile seen in the primary bathroom creates a "design thread" that connects the utility spaces to the luxury spaces.

Key Performance Features: The "Beach-Proof" Home

Living by the coast requires materials that can handle sand, salt, and sun without degrading.

  • Sand-Resilient Flooring: High-DEX Rigid Core LVP is essential. The "micro-beveled" edges prevent fine sand from getting trapped in the seams, and the wear layer is tough enough to handle the abrasive nature of sand tracked in from the shore.

  • UV-Stable Finishes: For the Seafoam and Sand cabinetry, using a catalyzed conversion varnish ensures the colors won't yellow or fade when exposed to the intense, direct sunlight often found in beachfront properties.

  • Salt-Air Hardware: All hardware—like the Brushed Gold Kitchen Faucet—should be solid brass or have a PVD coating. This prevents the "pitting" and corrosion common with standard finishes in high-salinity air.

Organic Modern and Lush Forest aesthetics

This specific look focuses on a "connection to nature" by pairing deep, earthy colors with raw, tactile materials.

The "Lush Forest" Palette

The dark green cabinetry (often called "Lush Forest" or "Kombu Green" in 2026 palettes) serves as the anchor. In modern design, these deep greens have replaced grey as the "new neutral," offering a sophisticated, moody atmosphere that still feels grounded and calm.

Biophilic Design Elements

The kitchen uses Biophilic design—a concept aimed at bringing the outdoors in. This is achieved through:

  • Natural Oak Accents: The light wood island and wall cabinets balance the dark green with warmth.

  • Expressive Stone: The marble countertops with heavy veining are a major 2026 trend, often treated as "sculptural art" rather than just a workspace.

  • Indoor Greenery: The inclusion of plants like the Monstera or Eucalyptus reinforces the organic theme.

"Understated Confidence"

The overall style reflects a move toward "Understated Confidence." This involves:

  • Mixed Materials: Combining painted surfaces, stained wood, and metallic gold hardware to create visual "rhythm" rather than a matching "boxy" look.

  • Shaker 2.0: Using classic Shaker-style doors but updating them with contemporary gold slim-line handles and minimalist glass pendant lighting.

Functional Minimalist Cues

The "wall cabinets" you requested are part of the Seamless Harmony trend, where storage is integrated into the architecture of the room to reduce visual clutter while maximizing utility.

Organic ARTY Bathroom

This bathroom explores the intersection of minimalist structure and organic warmth. By stripping away traditional bathroom clutter and focusing on a high-contrast palette of deep sage and veined charcoal, the space is transformed from a utility room into a restorative sanctuary. The design prioritizes architectural lines—from the sculptural freestanding tub to the seamless integration of matte black hardware—ensuring that every element serves both a functional and aesthetic purpose. Natural light and gallery-style accents further elevate the environment, creating a bathroom that is as much a piece of art as it is a living space.

Minimalist "Art-First" Lighting

The design intentionally moves away from traditional, bulky vanity lights in favor of a sleek, linear LED fixture integrated directly above the focal point of the artwork. This creates a gallery-like atmosphere, using light to highlight texture and color rather than just providing utility.

Nature-Inspired Monochromatic Palette

The space utilizes a sophisticated "Forest & Stone" color story. By pairing deep sage green walls with veined charcoal porcelain wainscoting, the design achieves a grounded, organic feel that bridges the gap between modern minimalism and natural warmth.

Sculptural Sanitary Ware

A major highlight of the room is the freestanding egg-shell soaking tub. Its matte white finish provides a high-contrast centerpiece against the dark, textured wall tiles, emphasizing clean lines and a "spa-retreat" functionality.

Seamless Material Integration

To maintain a modern, uncluttered look, the design features matte black hardware (faucets and flush plates) that disappears into the dark tilework. This "stealth luxury" approach ensures that the eye focuses on the architectural flow of the room rather than individual fixtures.

Trina Tanner | Interior Designer

Chesapeake, VA | (757) 550-7171 | trinaawe@gmail.com

© Trina Tanner, 2026