The planks are beautifully laid in a staggered pattern, creating a seamless, natural look. The smooth, even surface provides both comfort and practicality, while the underlayment offers excellent moisture protection, which is especially important in a basement setting. The sound-absorbing quality of the underlayment further enhances the room's acoustics, making the space feel more inviting.

The project involved opening the ceiling on the ground floor of a 1930s duplex and replacing the plaster finish with a gypsum ceiling system. Aluminum electrical wiring was also replaced to conform to current standards, and the existing lighting was exchanged for new pot lights in all rooms. Once the ceilings were opened, an acoustic, soundproofing insulation system was installed to absorb interior noise from the second floor of the duplex. The soundproofing system consists of blown wool insulation, padded with a thin layer of air between it and the gypsum ceiling finish, along with the installation of resilient bars.

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.

Soler Architecture converted the two-story guest wing of the owner’s residence into a working professional sound studio.

New kitchen absorbs butlers pantry in order to create a larger kitchen with more storage. Plumbing and appliances were re-assigned to new locations.
Inspiration for a transitional dark wood floor home bar remodel in Dallas with marble countertops and marble backsplash

This young family purchased their first home in 2021, and let's say it was full of original 1970s charm - i.e., nothing had been done to this house in the past 50 years. We had recently completed a project for a family member, so they called us in to help. During our initial consultation, they shared a modest project budget, and we explained that we wouldn't be able to accomplish much on such a limited budget. Several weeks passed, and they ultimately raised their funding, and we signed on for the job. Even after doubling their budget, we still had our work cut out for us. The original kitchen was very small in comparison to the square footage of the home, and opening up the space meant we needed to add two structural beams between the first and second stories. These homeowners already had one small child, and were expecting another in the coming months. They also have large families in the area, so creating an ample gathering space for multiple cooks was crucial to the final layout. Some of their wish list items included a bar and a large island with plenty of seating. They also wanted the kitchen open to the family room. This home had a formal and informal dining area, so we opted to absorb the casual eating area into the newly expanded kitchen floorplan. We relocated their laundry room to create an extended family room, which included the new bar area. We were also able to use the under-stair space to create a kitchen pantry. The kitchen transformed from 115 sq. ft. to a spacious 260 sq. ft., all within existing poorly used space. We were able to create clear sightlines to the backyard and pool from the new kitchen and family room, perfect for a young family. Aesthetically speaking, our clients wanted a neutral space that could grow and change with their family. We kept the expensive items like cabinets, countertops, and tile in classic finishes like whites and navy blues, while we had more fun with things like the faucet, hardware, and light fixtures that could easily be updated over the years. The finished product is a warm, clean, family-friendly space that invites you to come in and pull up a chair.

Cool Paint is a paint roof cover that absorbs the warmth of the sun to keep the roof and the surrounding area cooler. The roof lasts longer and the temperature in the interior is more comfortable. Once the service is implemented, it starts to pay for itself. Cool Paint is weather-resistant and non-dissolvent. The cooling effect has a value (measured according to ASTM E1980) of SRI (Solar Reflectance Index). The SRI value of Cool Paint is 89. Therefore, a Cool Paint covering is 72% of sunlight and returns 87% of the heat to the atmosphere rather than the underlying air. Most solar heat reduces the difference in the roof temperature between day and night, summer and winter. The roof's lifetime is extended by constantly lower temperatures.

The home creates a balance between modern architectural design and the incredible scenery surrounding it by preserving much of the natural landscape and taking advantage of natural sunlight and air flow. Plans were drawn using passive house principles – showing a continuous insulation layer with appropriate thicknesses for the Montana climate around the entire conditioned space to minimize heat loss during winters and heat gain during summers. Overhangs and other shading devices allow the low winter sun into the building and keep the high summer sun out. Glo European Windows A7 series was carefully selected for the Elk Ridge Passive House because of their High Solar Heat Gain Coefficient which allows the home to absorb free solar heat, and a low U-value to retain this heat once the sun sets. The A7 windows were an excellent choice for durability and the ability to remain resilient in the harsh winter climate. Glo’s European hardware ensures smooth operation for fresh air and ventilation. The A7 windows from Glo were an easy choice for the Elk Ridge Passive House project.

Moroccan interior design looks luxurious and exotic. In this project we paid attention to details, added original Moroccan furniture to the rooms and then combined them with rich colors of Moroccan decor to create unique appeal of ethnic decorating style. Moroccan Interior Decors are a creative blend of African, Arab, and Mediterranean decorating style. Moroccan decor includes ethnic motifs and decoration patterns that have been absorbed from different cultures.

A homeowner who we’d worked with previously (a bathroom we’d remodeled for him was named ‘Bathroom of the Year’ by Boston Globe Magazine in 2007.) contacted us with a new project in mind. Following a divorce and second marriage, he and his family had moved into mid-sized home that felt too cramped for two adults and four children. Working within its existing frame, we set to work creating a more functional and pleasant living experience. The family’s main gathering area is the kitchen. We began improving the space by absorbing square footage from what had been a mudroom/laundry area behind the kitchen. This allowed us to introduce an island, creating a focal point for meal prep, cooking, and socializing. New custom cabinetry increased storage. We added a homework nook for the kids. Wider openings to the foyer and the dining room made flow between spaces easier. At the home’s entry, we re-treaded and re-finished the staircase, adding new railings and newell post. An orange fiberglass exterior door contrasts playfully with the home’s deep blue exterior. Finishing the basement allowed the introduction of a new laundry area, a cozy family room/kids play space, and a workshop. In this last space we reconfigured some kitchen items that had been ordered but were unusable due to a last-minute change in plans, including a cabinet now used for tool storage and a wall panel that became a workbench. On the home’s second floor, one bedroom had been accessible only by passing through another bedroom. The family’s two teenage children had been enduring this arrangement via solutions that included placing duct tape along the floor to mark passage boundaries. We were able to give each child much-desired private space by borrowing square-footage from a closet and carving out a hallway with separate entries for each room. Another bedroom on the second floor was refreshed with a new coat of paint. Photo by Shelly Harrison

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.

The corridor to the Laundry was absorbed into the kitchen offering extra counter space and storage and a landing zone out of main view for extra supplies when hosting a group. Removing the wall separating this space from the kitchen allows seamless flow. The ceiling over the kitchen in the great room was opened to expose beams and finished to match the rest of the vaulted space. New flooring, new lighting, all new layout and finishes.

This 1924 beauty deserved a well planned and carefully detailed main level remodel. The goal for this project was to restore some of the original design elements 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.

This bespoke fitted home study and office is an exquisite multifunctional space with a dedicated workspace, media unit and library. The cabinets were custom-made and installed by us to create a superbly practical and stylish room for working, studying, gaming and watching films or TV. Our art and book-loving client commissioned Bespoke by Acorn to bring their design vision to life and the result is a stunning interior featuring built-in bookcases, a bespoke dual desk and decorative wall panels. The vertical slatted oak wood panelling provides visual interest and texture while also helping to absorb unwanted noise. DARK BLUE PAINTED BOOKCASE UNIT The bookcase cabinetry has a spraypainted finish in Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue, a premium quality, eco-friendly paint. This deep blue colour is often used in study or library spaces as it is associated with focus, calm and seriousness. Dark blue is a sophisticated shade for bookcases, creating a strong contrast with the book spines. Integrated LED lighting within the joinery prevents the space from being too dark and adds dimension and richness to the display. Illuminating shelving also makes it easier to find what you’re looking for. MADE TO MEASURE DESK IN OAK FOR TWO The large made to measure desk in oak for two features wide smooth-closing drawers and plenty of cupboard and shelving space. It’s perfectly designed for comfortable side by side working and videogaming. Cabling is neatly concealed behind a back panel under the desk. A simple push to open mechanism provides easy access. While technology is essential for productivity, cables, equipment and sockets can look untidy and impose on a design scheme. With bespoke furniture, as shown here, technology can be elegantly concealed with easy access. CREATE A BESPOKE LUXURY HOME OFFICE STUDY WITH ACORN At Acorn, we specialise in crafting bespoke fitted home study, office and library furniture for clients in Sussex, Surrey, and Kent. With our custom-made furniture you will be able to have the perfect layout and features you need.

Example of a small transitional single-wall medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen design in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Cool and contemporary shades of light and dark grey form the perfect backdrop to your living space. 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 closeup view of the audio center channel compartment. The Thiel center channel speaker rests on Vibrapod absorbers to minimize interaction with the cabinet and there is extensive acoustic foam dampening to reduce boominess and improve clarity. The black area on the fold down door is acoustically transparent cloth. To the left is more A/V gear.

Bedroom - bedroom idea in Miami

Winning Best New Home of 2013 and labeled “Passive House Perfection” by Fine Homebuilding, this 1600-square foot farmhouse achieves the highest performance standards without sacrificing aesthetic standards. The owners “learned that good design and modern aesthetics were compatible with the kind of energy we were seeking and we couldn’t be more pleased.” Beyond Efficiency coached the team in resource-efficient framing, and builder Rob Nicely incorporated practices such as 24” stud spacing and appropriately sized insulated headers to reduce lumber costs, speed construction and maximize insulation. He planned ahead by pre-insulating components such as doubled I-joists to ensure an uninterrupted thermal boundary. To achieve the strict Passive House heating demand requirements, phase-change materials (PCMs) are installed behind drywall in walls and dropped ceilings to absorb the sun’s heat from large south-facing windows and release it for passive heating once temperatures cool down. PCMs provide temperature moderation and peak load shifting benefits that were traditionally available only in heavy, high-thermal mass materials. The house is designed to use about 70% less energy than its code-level counterpart. The homeowners have reported that temperatures remain very stable throughout the home, varying no more than 2 degrees from north to south and top to bottom.