Search results for "Absorbance" in Home Design Ideas

Complementing the Home
This homeowner approached the experts at Braen Supply to help him select materials for his newly constructed home. The style and design of the house was already completed, therefore, the selected materials needed to complement the features of the home.
The homeowner’s one request was to find a patio stone that would emulate a bluestone; however, it would not absorb as much heat as bluestone, allowing swimmers to comfortably move from the pool to the patio without having to worry about shoes.
Working With the Experts
The experts at Braen Supply were able to find the perfect material to meet the homeowner’s needs and then used that to find materials for the façade, fireplace and outdoor kitchen, while still maintaining a concise look throughout the home. The materials that were selected gave the home a unique, yet classic look.

Italian Marble and Design Firm, which has developed a unique and innovative product line of glass furniture for interiors and exteriors.
We want to specify that all products are anti-breakage and do not absorb the heat of the sun as it does with all the patios furniture, sidewalks benches, and chairs found in Miami.

Moss Garden: A Living Carpet of Tranquility
A moss garden is a serene, low-maintenance landscape feature that evokes a profound sense of calm and natural beauty. Composed of vibrant, velvety mosses that thrive in shaded, humid environments, these gardens offer a soft, carpet-like groundcover that replaces traditional lawns or gravel with rich, green texture.
At Westland Design, our moss gardens are thoughtfully integrated into the overall landscape to enhance a feeling of timelessness and stillness. Whether nestled beneath the canopy of trees, edging a stone pathway, or surrounding a tranquil water feature, moss brings subtle movement and color to quiet corners of the garden.
Key qualities of a moss garden include:
Evergreen softness: Moss provides lush, year-round greenery that requires no mowing or fertilizing.
Quiet beauty: It absorbs sound, contributing to a peaceful, contemplative environment.
Natural elegance: Ideal for Japanese-style gardens or woodland settings, moss complements stone, water, and wood elements with organic harmony.
A moss garden is more than a design choice—it’s an invitation to slow down, observe closely, and appreciate nature’s quiet elegance.
Find the right local pro for your project

The main living area surrounds a wood burning stove atop a custom concrete bench.
Example of an eclectic living room design in Philadelphia
Example of an eclectic living room design in Philadelphia

Stratum Portoro is a dark marble look with fire looking gold veins that gives a luxurious and sophisticated statement. This beautiful warm color is ideal for fireplaces, countertops, bathrooms and accent walls.
The color comes in three faces giving it a luxurious natural marble look when installed while enjoying the benefits of porcelain. Unlike marble, porcelain does not stain, absorb water, crack due to heat and requires virtually ZERO MAINTENANCE compared to natural stones.
You can purchase this product as material only to be delivered as slabs from our local warehouse in Houston, TX or select our professional installation services to ensure top quality workmanship.

This master bathroom was completely renovated and expanded to reflect the airy, eclectic-modern design aesthetic we were implementing throughout the rest of this client’s home. Their existing master bath had luxurious finishes, but was a cramped and small space with a disadvantageous layout. By breaking through walls and absorbing a second bathroom behind the master, we were able to create an open, ample layout that offered the features these clients sought - a generous and bright space with a two person shower, a soaking tub, and separate vanity areas with plenty of storage.
Dave Bryce Photography

We were asked to restore a beautiful geometric Victorian tiled floor. The property had been used as a letting house and the floor had been used and abused for many years, just given an occasional mop over from time to time.
The new owners wanted to revive the colours and deal with the neglect. Step one was to put down the tile doctor pro clean alkaline cleaning solution and to let it dwell for a period of around twenty minutes.
We gave the solution plenty of dwell time before setting up our low speed rotary machine, underneath it we used a black pad to agitate and help loosen the ingrained dirt.
Once completed we set up our powerful rinsing tool which is attached to a machine fixed into our van, by doing this we do not need to dispose of any dirty water on your property but instead we take it away with us and dispose of it in the proper manner in an appropriate disposal point.
After rinsing the floor came up very well but we still felt it could be better, we used a steamer coupled with HBU Nanotech and a scraper to remove various deposits of paint and other sticky residue which had set over time.
After thoroughly rinsing the floor again we left the floor to dry for 4 days, Victorian tiles along with other earth based tiles are very absorbent and need to dry thoroughly and fully.
On our return we tested for damp ensuring the floor was dry enough to seal.
To seal the floor we used two coats of colour grow impregnating sealer, once the sealer had dried we then began sealing the floor using seal and go.
After applying several thin coats of seal and go, the floor reached the desired appearance.
A combination of Pro clean, hbu nanotech, colour grow and seal and go with a little bit of care from your local tile doctor restored this old uncared for floor back to the prime of its life.

Creating expansive outdoor living spaces beyond the pool in your country farmhouse acreage is being in a dynamic conversation with nature's beauty and artistic elements. Older pool decks were smaller and enclosed and kept you away from absorbing nature's energies. The newer back to normal is including the outdoors as an extension of the house. Creating larger spaces for outdoor dining, a fire pit, and using antique architectural elements that brings in new energy and connectivity to the open spaces.

Situated above the Vancouver skyline, overlooking the city below, this custom home is a top performer on top of it all. An open kitchen, dining, and great room with a 99 bottle capacity wine wall, this space is made for entertaining.
The three car garage houses the technical equipment including solar inverters and the Tesla Powerwall 2. A vehicle lift allows for easy maintenance and double parking storage. From BBQ season in the summer to the gorgeous sunsets of fall, the views are simply stunning both from and within the home. A cozy library and home office are well placed to allow for a more intimate atmosphere while still absorbing the beautiful city below.
Luxury custom homes are not always as high on the performance scale but this home boasts a modelled energy rating of 60 GJ/year compared with the 182 GJ/year standard, close to 70% better! With high-efficiency appliances and a well positioned solar array, this home may perform so well that it starts generating income through Net Metering.
Photo Credits: SilentSama Architectural Photography

Provided by 'Ancient Surfaces'
Product name: Antique Thick Limestone Countertops, AKA Foundation Slabs .
Phone: (212) 461-0245
Email: Sales@ancientsurfaces.com
Website: www.AncientSurfaces.com
Direct: www.AncientSurfaces.com/Foundation-Slabs.html
Those centuries old foundation Slabs were once the thick building blocks of old villas & farmhouses. Those blocks could be found at the bottom support base of many older reclaimed structures. We are passionate about milling them down to 2.5" in thickness so they could be used on counters and pool copings. Yes counters! Those thick & massive chucks of Limestone absorb virtually nothing and can stand up to anything you can throw at them.
Seemingly indestructible, they are ideal for anyone who is a great cook and who doesn’t want to worry about leaving wine rings, lime juice or oil stains on their counters while cooking or entertaining guests.
If you practically live in your kitchen which is true for many of us, you have no choice but to consider incorporating the foundation slabs as your kitchen counter tops.
Make your kitchen fun and enjoy the best counter tops available on earth by securing some of those slab cuts today.
Our thick Foundation Slabs are also ideal for any stepping stone design elements for your outdoors stairs, as stepping or landscaping stones, or as wall and pool copings able to withstand any weather pattern or condition.

A large solar panel array on the roof absorbs sunlight and powers the entire home and pool! Outside is truly paradise: Granite pool with new heater & new filter situated in a beautifully landscaped, park-like yard!

A luxurious en suite bath was created within this classic 1925 Portland bungalow by reconfiguring the second story’s original small bedrooms and tiny half bath. In this welcoming new urban boho space, eclectic finishes mingle harmoniously, integrated through subtle repetition of shapes and materials.
A furniture-style vanity sets the tone for this luxurious space, introducing materials, colors, shapes, and textures that repeat throughout. Individual walnut hexagons join to create distinctive vanity doors, offset beautifully by horizontal-grain drawers. Topping the cabinetry is a simple concrete countertop with integral sinks. An expansive framed mirror above enlarges and brightens the room. Within the mirror, sconces float, their globes a nod to the hexagons below. Champagne bronze fixtures reflect the warm walnut glow. Nestled into the back corner, a stunning shower features waterjet tiles in a double herringbone pattern, each precisely cut and laid to maintain design integrity at every surface transition. Teak floor tiles and a pebbled niche hint at the classic spa experience. Across from the shower, a large hexagonal window provides a treetop view from the free-standing tub below. The gentle oval of the tub and the beaded chandelier above provide a pleasing contrast to the strong lines surrounding it, as do the softly-shaded pebbles in the full-length niche. Shiplap wainscotting wraps the room, creating an illusion of height in the compact space. Subtle flooring and soft green walls create an understated backdrop for the bold mix of materials, unifying them into a serene oasis.
Asking a century-old home to accommodate a modern luxury bath is a tall order. Asbestos-laden plaster and flooring had to be abated. The subfloor had to be leveled and reinforced to increase strength and prevent deflection. Water lines and multiple electrical circuits had to be brought across and up without disturbing a beautifully-paneled ceiling, something we accomplished by firring out stair walls to hide the chases. Our client had visions of a leafy view from her tub, but the new layout eliminated existing windows. Placing a new window was complicated by deep eaves and flat soffits. By pushing the header into the roofline, however, we were able to accommodate a picture window. The flat soffit was replaced by an inverse hip lined with stained tongue and groove cedar, tying it to the bathroom finishes. Bringing materials up a narrow staircase became truly challenging when it was time to install the big items. However, strategic removal of drywall around the landing got the job done. Our attention to detail is showcased in the shower tile, where precise cuts were required at surface transitions to maintain the integrity of a complex double herringbone lay. The project was delivered on time.
Savvy layout choices minimized spending on structural changes. Because we were dealing with dormer space, head height was an issue. Raising the ceiling would have been complex and expensive so our design accommodated the constraints – tub on the low outside wall, shower on the full-height interior wall. The vanity spanned the spread, accommodating our petite client on the exterior side and her taller husband on the interior side. An under-eave closet was closed off to create room for both a freestanding tub and a separate shower. Rather than building replacement storage elsewhere, we simply added a new door into the closet from the primary bedroom. This was made possible by absorbing the short hallway separating the existing bed and bathroom into the primary bedroom. This new layout also created an en suite relationship between the primary bedroom and the new bath. We saved additional dollars by selecting a furniture-style vanity rather than using custom cabinetry, and the countertop with integral sinks provided a cost savings over a more traditional quartz countertop with undermount sinks. Affordable shower tiles allowed us to put more money into a dynamic tile layout. The project was delivered within budget.

45 foot long Swim Length with constant 4 foot depth.
Water Features with lighting compliments in the water below each feature. Raised retaining wall with minimal decking gives a landscape mantel to work with. This structural design allows the yard to be usable.

This trendy music studio was made with the devoted musician in mind. It's simple vinyl siding with exposed rafters houses an ideal home music studio equipped with sound proof insulated walls.

Toronto Model
Approved Miami Dade Building Code
Mahogany Solid Wood Door
Impact Resistant Glass
Multipoint Lock System
Brush Niquel Paumelles Hinges
Rocky Mountain Hardware
Natural Sikkens Finish
Mahogany Wood Molding

Our clients small two bedroom home was in a very popular and desirably located area of south Edmonton just off of Whyte Ave. The main floor was very partitioned and not suited for the clients' lifestyle and entertaining. They needed more functionality with a better and larger front entry and more storage/utility options. The exising living room, kitchen, and nook needed to be reconfigured to be more open and accommodating for larger gatherings. They also wanted a large garage in the back. They were interest in creating a Chelsea Market New Your City feel in their new great room. The 2nd bedroom was absorbed into a larger front entry with loads of storage options and the master bedroom was enlarged along with its closet. The existing bathroom was updated. The walls dividing the kitchen, nook, and living room were removed and a great room created. The result was fantastic and more functional living space for this young couple along with a larger and more functional garage.

Lighter paints that reflect, rather than absorb the light, a new contemporary fireplace wall, and a view that is gently framed by elegant sheers create the new backdrop for furniture to come. But in a nod to the architecture of the home, and with gold making a comeback, we decided to keep the existing living area chandelier

Living rooms, family rooms and other places such as (home) libraries are a great place for an acoustic ceiling. This family room appears as if it has a comfy and quiet atmosphere, which is exactly why it was a great idea to install an acoustic ceiling into it. Rather than dispersing sound, the acoustic ceiling absorbs it, creating a unique sound enhancement in the space.

This stunning luxury gym interior with bespoke mirrored cabinetry and premium slatted wood wall panelling was designed and installed by us for our client’s prime residence in Guildford, Surrey. The vertical panels are constructed in a highly durable natural light oak with a contemporary Nordic look. The neutral colours and natural oak in this room promote a serene atmosphere to allow for focus, concentration and relaxation.
Slatted wall panels for acoustics and aesthetics
The narrow slats absorb sound and reduce echo and reverberation for a comfortable and pleasant environment. An acoustic black backing adds extra soundproofing.
The sweeping curved shape of the bespoke slatted wood-clad doors are a special feature and soften the appearance of the cabinetry adding elegance to the environment. The discreet handles recessed into the edge of the doors maintain the sleek minimalist look. A practical satin matt clear finish enhances the grain and adds protection.
Handcrafted bespoke storage
The bespoke floor to ceiling fitted cabinetry features full-length safety mirrored doors with a silver finish. The mirrors provide visual feedback and enhance light and a feeling of spaciousness. Every millimetre of cabinet space has been tailored with cabinetry with storage features. These include deep pull-out drawers for heavy equipment; a custom space for golf clubs and bags; square cubby holes for trainer shoes, and rounded shelves in the curved section to organise small items. The interior of the cabinetry is lined with a hardwearing, easy to clean light grey textured laminate. The interior drawers and door backs are spray finished in Farrow and Ball Down Pipe, a stylish dark grey.

A luxurious en suite bath was created within this classic 1925 Portland bungalow by reconfiguring the second story’s original small bedrooms and tiny half bath. In this welcoming new urban boho space, eclectic finishes mingle harmoniously, integrated through subtle repetition of shapes and materials.
A furniture-style vanity sets the tone for this luxurious space, introducing materials, colors, shapes, and textures that repeat throughout. Individual walnut hexagons join to create distinctive vanity doors, offset beautifully by horizontal-grain drawers. Topping the cabinetry is a simple concrete countertop with integral sinks. An expansive framed mirror above enlarges and brightens the room. Within the mirror, sconces float, their globes a nod to the hexagons below. Champagne bronze fixtures reflect the warm walnut glow. Nestled into the back corner, a stunning shower features waterjet tiles in a double herringbone pattern, each precisely cut and laid to maintain design integrity at every surface transition. Teak floor tiles and a pebbled niche hint at the classic spa experience. Across from the shower, a large hexagonal window provides a treetop view from the free-standing tub below. The gentle oval of the tub and the beaded chandelier above provide a pleasing contrast to the strong lines surrounding it, as do the softly-shaded pebbles in the full-length niche. Shiplap wainscotting wraps the room, creating an illusion of height in the compact space. Subtle flooring and soft green walls create an understated backdrop for the bold mix of materials, unifying them into a serene oasis.
Asking a century-old home to accommodate a modern luxury bath is a tall order. Asbestos-laden plaster and flooring had to be abated. The subfloor had to be leveled and reinforced to increase strength and prevent deflection. Water lines and multiple electrical circuits had to be brought across and up without disturbing a beautifully-paneled ceiling, something we accomplished by firring out stair walls to hide the chases. Our client had visions of a leafy view from her tub, but the new layout eliminated existing windows. Placing a new window was complicated by deep eaves and flat soffits. By pushing the header into the roofline, however, we were able to accommodate a picture window. The flat soffit was replaced by an inverse hip lined with stained tongue and groove cedar, tying it to the bathroom finishes. Bringing materials up a narrow staircase became truly challenging when it was time to install the big items. However, strategic removal of drywall around the landing got the job done. Our attention to detail is showcased in the shower tile, where precise cuts were required at surface transitions to maintain the integrity of a complex double herringbone lay. The project was delivered on time.
Savvy layout choices minimized spending on structural changes. Because we were dealing with dormer space, head height was an issue. Raising the ceiling would have been complex and expensive so our design accommodated the constraints – tub on the low outside wall, shower on the full-height interior wall. The vanity spanned the spread, accommodating our petite client on the exterior side and her taller husband on the interior side. An under-eave closet was closed off to create room for both a freestanding tub and a separate shower. Rather than building replacement storage elsewhere, we simply added a new door into the closet from the primary bedroom. This was made possible by absorbing the short hallway separating the existing bed and bathroom into the primary bedroom. This new layout also created an en suite relationship between the primary bedroom and the new bath. We saved additional dollars by selecting a furniture-style vanity rather than using custom cabinetry, and the countertop with integral sinks provided a cost savings over a more traditional quartz countertop with undermount sinks. Affordable shower tiles allowed us to put more money into a dynamic tile layout. The project was delivered within budget.
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