Search results for "Absorbance" in Home Design Ideas

These homeowners loved to host, but their original layout was completely failing them functionally. Through our guided process, we transformed the space into a transitional masterpiece, layering crisp stacked cabinets with a character-stained oak island and a hidden forest green pantry. We backed the entire build with our Ownership Promise, absorbing the technical and logistical risks so they could navigate the renovation with absolute peace of mind. The outcome is a master-grade entertainment hub that delivers daily inspiration and a profound sense of pride the moment guests walk through the door.

Wallpaper Installation – Guest Room in Santee
Create a welcoming retreat for visitors with professional guest room wallpaper installation in Santee. As your local wallpaper specialist, I design comfortable, stylish spaces that make guests feel at home with:
✔ Guest Room-Specific Expertise
Durable vinyl wallpaper that withstands frequent use
Peel-and-stick options for easy seasonal updates
Sound-absorbing textures for privacy
✔ Santee-Tested Solutions
Fade-resistant finishes for sunny East County rooms
Easy-to-clean surfaces for hassle-free maintenance
Low-VOC materials safe for all guests
✔ Complete Guest Room Services
Accent walls behind beds or seating areas
Ceiling treatments for added dimension
Wallpaper repair for existing installations
Why Santee Homeowners Choose Us:
✔ 1-Day Refresh – Ready before guests arrive
✔ Free Design Consultation – Help selecting versatile styles
✔ Military Discounts – Honoring local service members
✔ Pet-Friendly Materials – Safe for visiting animals
Popular Santee Guest Room Styles:
• Modern Farmhouse – Neutral tones with subtle textures
• SoCal Casual – Beachy blues and warm sands
• Mountain Retreat – Rustic woods and cozy plaids
• Bold & Eclectic – Vibrant patterns for personality
Serving All of Santee – From Carlton Hills to Magnolia.

A small courtyard garden in San Francisco.
• Creative use of space in the dense, urban fabric of hilly SF.
• For the last several years the clients had carved out a make shift courtyard garden at the top of their driveway. It was one of the few flat spaces in their yard where they could sit in the sun and enjoy a cup of coffee. We turned the top of a steep driveway into a courtyard garden.
• The actual courtyard design was planned for the maximum dimensions possible to host a dining table and a seating area. The space is conveniently located outside their kitchen and home offices. However we needed to save driveway space for parking the cars and getting in and out.
• The design, fabrication and installation team was comprised of people we knew. I was an acquaintance to the clients having met them through good friends. The landscape contractor, Boaz Mor, http://www.boazmor.com/, is their neighbor and someone I worked with before. The metal fabricator is Murray Sandford of Moz Designs, https://mozdesigns.com/, https://www.instagram.com/moz_designs/ . Both contractors have long histories of working in the Bay Area on a variety of complex designs.
• The size of this garden belies the complexity of the design. We did not want to remove any of the concrete driveway which was 12” or more in thickness, except for the area where the large planter was going. The driveway sloped in two directions. In order to get a “level”, properly, draining patio, we had to start it at around 21” tall at the outside and end it flush by the garage doors.
• The fence is the artful element in the garden. It is made of power-coated aluminum. The panels match the house color; and posts match the house trim. The effect is quiet, blending into the overall property. The panels are dramatic. Each fence panel is a different size with a unique pattern.
• The exterior panels that you see from the street are an abstract riff on the seasons of the Persian walnut tree in their front yard. The cut-outs illustrate spring bloom when the walnut leafs out to autumn when the nuts drop to the ground and the squirrels eats them, leaving a mess of shells everywhere. Even the pesky squirrel appears on one of the panels.
• The interior panels, lining the entry into the courtyard, are an abstraction of the entire walnut tree.
• Although the panel design is made of perforations, the openings are designed to retain privacy when you are inside the courtyard.
• There is a large planter on one side of the courtyard, big enough for a tree to soften a harsh expanse of a neighboring wall. Light through the branches cast playful shadows on the wall behind.
• The lighting, mounted on the house is a nod to the client’s love of New Orleans gas lights.
• The paving is black stone from India, dark enough to absorb the warmth of the sun on a cool, summer San Francisco day.
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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.

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.

Wallpaper Installation – Basement in Arlington Heights
Transform your underutilized basement into a stunning living space with professional wallpaper installation designed for Arlington Heights homes. As your local wallpaper specialist, I specialize in creating beautiful, functional below-grade spaces with:
✔ Basement-Specific Expertise
Moisture-resistant vinyl wallpaper and fabric-backed options
Specialized adhesives for concrete or paneled walls
Pattern matching that accommodates uneven surfaces
✔ Arlington Heights Solutions
Materials tested for Chicagoland's seasonal humidity changes
Light-enhancing finishes to brighten windowless areas
Sound-absorbing textures for entertainment spaces
✔ Complete Basement Services
Feature walls for home theaters or game rooms
Ceiling treatments to elevate low ceilings
Wallpaper repair for existing installations
Why Arlington Heights Homeowners Choose Us:
✔ Free Moisture Evaluation – Critical for basement installations
✔ HOA Compliance Knowledge – Familiar with local community standards
✔ 1-2 Day Transformations – Efficient project completion
✔ Flexible Scheduling – Work around your family's routine
Popular Arlington Heights Basement Styles:
• Modern Entertainer – Sleek metallics or geometric patterns
• Cozy Library – Rich textures and warm tones
• Sports Den – Team colors and memorabilia displays
• Rustic Retreat – Faux wood or stone appearances
Serving All of Arlington Heights – From downtown condos to suburban family homes.

The new owners were looking forward to living in their new home with an open floor plan, tall vaulted ceilings, and great views. It featured a large Great Room with two big French Doors separating the Dining Room from the Master Bedroom.
But after only a few months they identified a major design flaw: Each of the French Doors had ten glass windows with two large windows above each door. (Check out our before and after designs, traffic flow diagrams and photos of this project.) Glass windows and doors allowed sound and light from guests or the TV in the great room to easily sneak into the bedroom. With unique work and sleep schedules (he’s a pilot, she’s a registered nurse) this design wasn’t working.
Then there was a traffic flow design flaw: The Master Bedroom had a second entrance from a hallway. To get into the bedroom from the hallway you needed to walk down another claustrophobic hallway.
To get from the Master Bedroom to the Master Bath begin at the most remote corner of the bedroom and down a hallway between two closets. Once inside the bath, a huge triangular Jacuzzi dominating the space.
So, from a privacy and traffic flow perspective, this home had some major design issues.
When Craig Weber first met with the owners, he listened to their ideas and concerns. The owners trusted Craig to come up with the most efficient and most effective solution to this design dilemma. He offered a solution that resolved the bed-bath traffic flow problem, offered some bedroom room privacy, and updated the bath.
First, the two French Doors and windows were removed. A new wall was built with sound-absorbing materials, making the Great Room and Dining Room more comfortable spaces for entertaining while creating the bedroom privacy the owners craved.
Solving the Bedroom/Bath traffic flow problem began with removing the two existing closets. The bath door was relocated next to the hall entrance, and then a new walk-in closet was added adjacent to the hallway entrance. The solution offered easy access to and from the bath, closet and hallway without a hint of claustrophobia.
The Master Bath underwent a major transformation designed for convenience and comfort – especially during long, cold Minnesota winters.
Most everything from the former bath was torn out, beginning with the giant Jacuzzi.
A new bathtub that is wider and deeper than the standard size was installed with brushed Nickel fixtures. It’s the perfect place to relax with a glass of wine and candles.
Warm floors are a Minnesota “must have.” The bath’s new ceramic floor features in-floor electric heat. Getting in and out of the tub is easy and comfortable.
The new walk-in shower again features in-floor heating and a place to sit. The most interesting feature of this shower may the custom ceramic tile installed with unique patterns.
A new vanity Cambria Bradshaw countertops features two under-hung ceramic sinks with matching brushed Nickel fixtures.
Tall ceilings and three glass windows near the ceiling flood the room with natural light. A new energy-efficient window frames an ornamental stained glass window created by the owner’s father – a great personal touch.
A quiet place to sleep. A private dining room for entertaining. A Master Bath to die for. And easy traffic flow. The owners couldn’t have been more delighted with the outcome. And Lilly, their cat, loves it too.

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.

We were approached with a request to design the furnishings for an existing ‘finished’ apartment. The intention was to move in relatively fast, and the property already had an existing marble floor, kitchen and bathrooms which had to be kept. The property also boasted a fantastic 270 degree view, seen from most of the apartment. The clients had a very important role in the completion of the project. They were very involved during the design process and through various decoration choices. The final design was kept as a rigid guideline when faced with picking out all the different elements.
Once clear of all previous furniture, the space felt cold and bare; so we immediately felt the need for warmth, and raw, natural elements and textures to complement the cold marble floor while visually tying in the design of the whole apartment together.
Since the existing kitchen had a touch of dark walnut stain, we felt this material was one we should add to the palette of materials to contest the stark materials. A raw cement finish was another material we felt would add an interesting contrast and could be used in a variety of ways, from cabinets to walls and ceilings, to tie up the design of various areas of the apartment.
To warm up the living/dining area, keeping the existing marble floor but visually creating zones within the large living/dining area without hindering the flow, a dark timber custom-made soffit, continuous with a floor-to-ceiling drinks cabinet zones the dining area, giving it a degree of much-needed warmth.
The various windows with a stupendous 270 degree view needed to be visually tied together. This was done by introducing a continuous sheer [drape] which also doubled up as a sound-absorbing material along 2 of the 4 walls of the space.
A very large sofa was required to fill up the space correctly, also required for the size of the young family.
Services were integrated within the units and soffits, while a customized design in the corner between the kitchen and the living room took into consideration the viewpoints from the main areas to create a pantry without hindering the flow or views. A strategically placed floor-to-ceiling mirror doubles up the space and extends the view to the inner parts of the apartment.
The daughter’s bedroom was a small challenge in itself, and a fun task, where we wanted to achieve the perception of a cozy niche with its own enclosed reading nook [for reading fairy tales], behind see-through curtains and a custom-ordered wall print sporting the girl’s favorite colors.
The sons’ bedroom had double the requirements in terms of space needed: more wardrobe, more homework desk space, a tv/play station area… “We combined a raised platform area between the boys’ beds to become an area with cushions where the kids can lay down and play, and face a hidden screen behind the homework desk’s sliding back panel for their play station”. The color of the homework desk was chosen in relation to the boys’ ages. A more masculine material palette was chosen for this room, in contrast to the light pastel palette of the girl’s bedroom. Again, this colour can easily be changed over time for a more mature look.
PROJECT DATA:
St. Paul’s Bay, Malta
DESIGN TEAM:
Perit Rebecca Zammit, Perit Daniel Scerri, Elyse Tonna
OTHER CREDITS:
Photography: Tonio Lombardi
Styling : TKS

We made that vision come to life in the interior with Grey matte lacquer kitchen cabinets that absorb the natural lighting.
Example of a large minimalist galley medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen design in Miami with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, marble countertops, gray backsplash, marble backsplash, colored appliances, no island and gray countertops
Example of a large minimalist galley medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen design in Miami with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, marble countertops, gray backsplash, marble backsplash, colored appliances, no island and gray countertops

This photo was taken when it finally rained. The swale will catch the water and slow it down to be absorbed into the water table. This garden has little supplemental irrigation.

This project started as a kitchen remodel but evolved into a partial redesign and home refresh. Both interiors and exteriors were reimagined to update this traditional Spanish home into a transitional retreat.
The common area floorplan was redesigned to absorb the previously underutilized formal spaces into everyday areas. A large walk-in pantry was added while the kitchen flows from the family room to the dining area, with sightlines from the front and back of the home.
Architectural elements such as ceiling details and the central staircase were redesigned to fit the home's original character while still feeling updated. The bedrooms and bathrooms were revitalized upstairs with all-new finishes, making the entire home feel fresh and new.
An overall neutral color scheme means this home will remain timeless and continue to serve this family for years to come. Simple elegance defines this home. It's the perfect mix of subtle details, ornate craftsmanship, and contemporary elegance.

THE SETUP
“You have to figure out how to rebuild a life worth living,” Basia Kozub’s client says. Her husband passed away suddenly three years ago. Holidays with family became more important, and she found herself struggling with a 37-year old kitchen that was falling apart. “I made a decision to move forward,” she says. “I went, ‘You know what? I’m redoing the kitchen.'”
The big task of getting started was as easy as having a conversation – literally. Basia was on the job, helping the client sort through priorities, wishes and ideas. Basia’s client is 5′ 4″, likes keeping an eye on the kiddoes in the backyard and wanted certain things to have their own place.
THE REMODEL
The objectives were:
Enlarge and open the space
Find a classic look that incorporates blues
Upgrade to easy-to-use appliances
Hide an office space within the space
Ample storage for dishes
Design challenges:
Uneven window alignment on the back wall
Original kitchen smaller than desired, stuctural concerns if walls to be moved
Keep folks close – figure out seating for entertaining
Main sink in corner is ideal, but windows are hard to reach
Lots of storage needed for dishes, glass collection, pantry items, bar bottles and office supplies
Specific storage needs for oft-used spices and utensils
THE RENEWED SPACE
Design solutions:
Replace back wall windows, establish window size continuity
Take out two walls to open up the space, tall shallow cabinet and a tall filler added to conceal a new header
Large island that seats six easily
Custom corner sink cabinet with recessed edge allows vertically challenged homeowner to reach the windows
Mindful storage planning features: plenty of cabinets, pull-out bar bottle storage, file drawers & cubbies with pocket doors for office appliances, magic corner pullouts, and appliance garages with pocket doors
Shelf behind range for easy access to daily-use spices and oils. Also: spice and utensil pullouts on either side of range
The clients says every priority and wish box got checked. The highly functional design absorbed everything that used to be in that area of the house, but now those things are out of the way.
“In the past, we were all spread out when we gathered for the holidays, because we had to spread out. Now, we’re all in here together, including my 92-year old mother. We’re visiting, cooking, laughing… everyone is here. And I’m really learning how to use these appliances. This kitchen has given me a whole new life.”

I made it more inviting by adding floor tiles, an outdoor rug and outdoor furniture in white, so as not to absorb the sun.
Patio container garden - small tropical backyard patio container garden idea in Orlando with decking and no cover
Patio container garden - small tropical backyard patio container garden idea in Orlando with decking and no cover

The concept and design of the hotel and restaurant was done in collaboration with Sean MacPherson to transform the aging but extraordinary property into an authentic surf shack. The architectural goal was to create simplicity out of natural materials while allowing the physical expansiveness of the location to shine through. This involved extracting the design down to the wood structure, framing, and elements. Locally sourced cedar lines the rooms, absorbing the summer and early fall quality of light, allowing the inside and outside to blue and age together in natural harmony. The perfection of the space embodied in the imperfections.

FLO-0800-BLK-BLK - Floral - Bamboo Pendant - 32 - Black Stain
Floral designed three years after Coral light, is based on a geometric polyhedra forms. The intricate form is made from just one single component repeated 60 times. Floral was designed to offer a softer more decorative offering alongside Coral which is more structured.
KOU-0750-NAT-AQU - Kōura - Bamboo Pendant - 30 - Natural (Side A) - Aqua (Side B)
Koura was inspired by woven baskets and also from the curled form of the New Zealand native fresh water shrimp, koura, which is its Maori name. Like our other lights Koura is available in a wide range of sizes from small and intimate to very large and dramatic
KIN-0600-NAT-YEL - Kina - Bamboo Pendant - 24 - Natural (Side A) - Yellow (Side B)
Kina references the inner shell of the local salt water sea-urchin called kina in Maori. David saw a kina shell in Antarctica – an exquisite jewel sunk in a tiny hollow in the sea ice. The shell had absorbed enough warmth from the sun to melt the ice around it.
COR-0600-NAT-NAT - Coral - Bamboo Pendant - 24 - Natural
Coral is based on one of the geometric polyhedra that have interested David since he was a boy. The intricate form is made from just one single component repeated 60 times. Originally designed purely as an experiment, it only became a light later when David tried to find a use for it by putting a bulb inside. This was a pivotal moment. What followed was a whole new direction in exploring lighting structures made from minimal shell-like skins which also act as patterned shadow- makers.

In the adjacent room we designed this space for a laid-back, lounge-y hangout for napping, Netflix and gaming for three young boys and Dad. This moody statement room for cocooning in the dark was designed with equal parts comforting and equal parts handsome.A variation of the same wood tone turns into fluted wall paneling in the adjacent room. Carmel leathers, and wool fabrics reminiscent of mens business suits soften the space. Our motion recliner sofa with reclining seats on three areas so everyone in the family recline on movie night. Custom black fluting on the walls envelopes the television which spans across one entire wall for game time. The fluted paneling on the walls is also acoustically absorbing, allowing fun for the kids but also some quiet time for Mom. Chill time for all accomplished. Whatever the time spent, the space lends itself to physical and mental calm. When you leave you feel recharged and ready to be back in the light-in bright rooms with other people.

A Piece of Carpet is a mature carpet with a playful charm, made of 100% wool felt. The shape and size are adaptable to the interior, which gives you the possibility to play around with your interior settings. With this carpet you also create an exciting, safe and soft playground for kids, without having to do concessions in the aesthetics of your interior design.
The puzzle tiles are made in three layers, carefully stitched together by hand in the Netherlands. The top layer is made of a carpet quality wool felt with a Scotchgard treatment which makes it dirt and water repellent. Wool felt also absorbs sound and heat. The bottom layer is made of a foam with anti-slip coating, which keeps the carpet in place and prevents you from slipping. Through this, a comfortable carpet is created.
Each set consists of a series of puzzle tiles in 5 different shapes. For example it is possible to make a square carpet, a rectangular carpet, a cornered layout, or you can leave the sides ‘unfinished’. The possibilities are endless!
design by Arjan van Raadshooven & Anieke Branderhorst
photo credits by Leolux /Pode, photography by Lukkien

The new field stone overflow channel for the newly installed rain garden that will let the excess water from a deluge that fills the rain garden be directed towards the lawn to be absorbed into the ground. The newly planted plants will grow and mature over the next growing season.

https://www.mogulinterior.com/collections/rustic-furniture
The primitive country decor style can be seen in old door sideboards with earthy textures and accent tables, vintage carved wall reliefs, cabinets made from reclaimed woods with carvings of natural elements like sunrays and floral elements. Rustic farmhouse and barn decor is also a variation of this style that plays with handmade furniture and antique doors with brass and iron embellishments. Rustic vintage barn doors leading into the study or study set against the white walls gives the old colonial plantation feel. Cabinets that are intricately carved or simple with a geometric diamond, the colors are deeply absorbed into the grains of the wood, a feel so nostalgic that brings in dancing corn fields and romantic nights of looking at the stars.
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