We’ve used the core principles of sustainable design and firescaping in this breathtaking garden: permeable hardscape elements, proper grading and infiltration zones that solve the existing drainage problems and absorb the stormwater runoff, a plant palette of predominantly California native plants and an ultra-low water Kurapia lawn, organic soil building, and efficient drip irrigation with a smart timer.

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

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.

Open Graded crushed stone base with proper drainage grid was installed to effectively address water accumulation. Quality Permeable Concrete Paver Patio was installed to successfully absorb any rain water AND re-route raising ground water to the new drainage system. Another water problem solved, and Owners gained a beautiful hard surface patio to enjoy.

Slipped Shed Studio South Dartmouth Builder: Scoop Jones design team: Tim Hess, Design Principal Nathan Sawyer, Justin Mellow all for DSA Architects photographs: Tim Hess This simple painting studio includes living quarters for an artist and frequent weekend guests. A familiar vocabulary of traditional forms and materials slants gently toward the sun and views up the Slocum River. The cantilevered roof and upper story shelter the glass from high summer sun.The concrete floor absorbs energy from low winter sun during the daytime to release it at night. Walls of exposed studs inside are wrapped and sealed with a continuous plane of insulation applied outside the structural sheathing.

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.

This mattress has quilted top layer from extremely plush ultra-soft Eden fiber and memory foam. Outlast fabric absorbs excess heat, for regulation of body temperature, for a long and deep sleep. • Viscose Fabric • Outlast Fiber cover • Memory Foam Padding • Super Soft Eden Fiber • Memoryfoam Layer • Eliosoft Layer • Extra Eliosoft Layer • Removable Cover • Dry Cleanable Twin: W 39" x D 75" x H 12" Twin XL: W 39" x D 80" x H 12" Full: W 54" x D 75" x H 12" Queen: W 60" x D 80" x H 12" King: W 76" x D 80" x H 12" California King: W 72" x D 84" x H 12" from thefurnituretoday.com

Sunrose adds the warm glow of red, gold, green and off white. There is no need to compromise beauty for durability. Our Ultra Durable indoor/outdoor rugs are amazing. They resist stains from food, pets, and liquids, while adding color, texture and interest to all your living spaces. This amazing absorbent material leaves the surface below dry with most moderate spills. To clean, simply run under water in your sink or use a hose.

A beautiful bathroom transformation complete with new countertops fabricated & photographed by Down East Fabrication! (www.downeastfab.com) Click "Website" for Colonial White granite slab options for your project!

Lush greens, cool slate, vibrant burgundy and tropical tan invoke images of a Zen-like paradise. There is no need to compromise beauty for durability. Our Ultra Durable indoor/outdoor rugs are amazing. They resist stains from food, pets, and liquids, while adding color, texture and interest to all your living spaces. This amazing absorbent material leaves the surface below dry with most moderate spills. To clean, simply run under water in your sink or use a hose.

This kitchen was fabricated by The Beveled Edge! Check out their work: https://bevelededge.net This kitchen's countertops have Magma granite with a polished finish.. Search "magma" granite, see more granite of this family or other stone options: http://www.stoneaction.com Learn more about granite to see if it’s right for you: Granite countertops can last a lifetime. It contains no harmful chemicals and do not emit harmful radiation or gasses. Granite is heat resistant and is one of the most heat-resistant countertops on the market. You can place a hot pan out of the oven directly onto the countertop surface. Experts do recommend the use of a trivet when using appliances that emit heat for long periods of time, such as crockpots. Since the material is so dense, there is a small possibility heating one area of the top and not the entire thing, could cause the countertop to crack. Granite is scratch resistant. You can cut on it, but it will dull your knives! Granite scores a seven on Moh’s hardness scale. Granite countertops are considered to be a low maintenance countertop surface. The likelihood of needing to be repaired or resurfaced is low. Granite is a porous material. Most fabricators will apply a sealer to granite countertops before they are installed which will protect them from absorbing liquids too quickly. Many sealers last more than 10 years before needing to be reapplied. When they do need to be reapplied, it is something that most homeowners can do on their own as the process is similar to cleaning. Darker granites are very dense and sometimes don’t even require a sealer. When it comes to pricing, there are a lot of variables such as edge profile, total square footage, backsplash, etc. Don’t be fooled by the stereotype that all granite is expensive. Lower-range granites will cost less than high-range laminate. Though granite countertops are not considered “low range” in pricing, there are a lot of affordable options. If you are looking for something truly unique, consider an exotic granite. Some quarries are not easily accessible and/or only able to be quarried for short periods of time throughout the year. If these circumstances exist in a quarry with gorgeous stone, the price will be driven upward. You won’t find a lot of solid patterns or bright colors, but both do exist. Also, watch for a large range of color and pattern within the same color of stone. It’s always a good idea to view the exact slab(s) that will be fabricated for your kitchen to make sure they are what you expected to see from the sample. Another factor is that many exotic types of granite have huge flowing waves, and a small sample will not be an accurate representation of the whole slab. Granite countertops are very resistant to chemicals. Acids and bases will not harm the material.

This beautiful master bathroom gives not only visual pleasure but a complete bathing experience. The air jet bathtub has a heated seat, back and neck, also with a drop of oil over a heated element the oils are absorbed directly through the skin. The custom designed cabinetry has a beauty and strength to it as well as providing plenty of storage.

Composed of 90% stone and 10% resin and polymer adhesives, Quartz is a wonderful choice for many reasons. Unlike granite, Quartz offers a beautiful homogeneous flow of colour and pattern. There is no guessing how your large piece will look once installed. Quartz is actually non-porous therefor antimicrobial and does not need to be sealed. They are heat resistant to about 200 degrees Celsius. If damage happens to occur it can be repaired by sanding down the surface. The main composite is hard quartz mineral. This is a strong durable surface resistant to scratches and can even dull your knives without causing damage to your counter. Quartz does resist impact quite impressively. Due to its composition the polymers and resin offer a flexible elastic type of shock absorber. There are many fabricators to chose from all offering a variety of colours and patterns. Chose Vicostone for surfaces that are inspired by natural granite or HanStone or Zenith Quartz for continuous smooth patterns.

Temporary Wallpaper doesn’t fade, doesn’t absorb odors or dust, gives extra sound & heat insulation, allows partial repairs, and is re-usable! This Silk Liquid Wallpaper comes in variety of compositions and colors and will always look great on your walls!

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.

Rustic and refined meet to give a mountaintop home in Portola Valley, California, classic charm. They say the best things in life come to those who wait. So when a Bay Area couple purchased a rare set of adjoining lots overlooking Windy Hill in Portola Valley, they made frequent visits to the site where they absorbed the views while listening to the land as they contemplated building a home there. The intent: to create a home that would celebrate the scenic beauty of the San Mateo County region. Long before the design process began, the couple committed themselves to preserving as many trees on the land as possible. These trees, two majestic, centuries-old Blue Oaks in particular, ultimately became the impetus for the home’s orientation and the inspiration for its design. Detailed discussions and brainstorming sessions led the owners to discover their own unique tastes: “cozy” and “rustic“ while “contemporary, but not minimal.” The result? Sophisticated style comprised of simple, honest materials.

Photography by Caroline Laye
Living room - large contemporary formal and open concept medium tone wood floor living room idea in Philadelphia with white walls, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround

This 1924 beauty deserved a well planned and carefully detailed main level remodel. My goal for this project was to restore some of the original design flavors and mix with modern day living and materials. Removing the wall between kitchen and dining space allowed the Gravelly Lake view to be absorbed from every angle. By carrying similar colors, styles and materials around the different rooms the home now has a cohesive style.

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