The previous owner was an inside smoker of 60 years, walls were stained with nicotine and a strong smell filled the home. Special preparation was needed to properly seal the substrate to block all nicotine stains and prevent tar from absorbing into our finish coat. A special shallac primer was used which blocked all stains and stench and provided a sound surface for our finish coat to adhere to. After painting was completed it couldn't be noticed it had been filled with with 60 years of daily smoking.

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.

Image provided by 'Ancient Surfaces' Product name: Antique Thick Limestone Countertops, AKA Foundation Slabs. Contacts: (212) 461-0245 Email: Sales@ancientsurfaces.com Website: www.AncientSurfaces.com 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 nothing and can stand up to anything you can throw at them. Virtually 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 countertops. Make your kitchen fun and enjoy the best countertops available on earth by securing some of those slab cuts today.

New master bath built by absorbing space formerly used for a loft area outside the Master Suite.
Trendy bathroom photo in St Louis

Bob Capazzo Photography
Example of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped dark wood floor kitchen design in New York with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

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

COOL IMAGE WITHOUT THE UNDER CABINET LIGHTS ON TO SHOW THE EFFECT THE BRONZE HAS ON THE ROOM WITHOUT HIGHLIGHTING GIVING CALMB ABSORBED DEEP FOCUS.
Home design - mid-sized eclectic home design idea in New York

An up-close view of the curved stairway and stone feature wall. Also loving the additional lighting to illuminate the stairway in the dark. Stone can be so dark and absorb quite a bit of light so the lights along the stairs is a great safety feature as well as design feature.

Craftaforms' ACUFORMS range is a collection of decorative acoustic panels engineered for both sound performance and visual impact in residential and commercial interiors. Each panel combines effective noise reduction with distinctive surface textures, making acoustic treatment an integral part of the interior design rather than an afterthought. Designed for specification by architects, interior designers, and acoustic consultants, ACUFORMS panels are suitable for open-plan offices, meeting rooms, hospitality spaces, home theatres, and public areas where sound control and aesthetics are equally important. Material: High-performance acoustic substrate with decorative surface finish Applications: Offices, meeting rooms, hotels, restaurants, home theatres, auditoriums Suitable for: Commercial and residential acoustic treatment projects Browse the full ACUFORMS collection at craftaforms.com

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

This contemporary rug in lime green and teal coordinates with today's most popular decorating schemes. Bring fresh style and texture to your outdoor space. These rugs are made from synthetic fibers that resist staining, fading, mold and mildew. Our outdoor rugs are made from nylon that resists staining, fading, and mold/mildew. Our unique marine backing application on our nylon outdoor rugs allows the water to pass through the rug instead of absorbing it, much like the carpet you find on boats. Printed on the same machines that manufacture one of the worlds leading brands of printed carpet, this rug is extremely durable and vibrant. This technology allows the use of multiple colors to create a rug that is wonderfully designed and applicable to any room in your home. Crafted completely in the USA, this rug is made from durable stain resistant nylon.

Inspiration for a transitional home theater remodel in DC Metro

Over a span of two years we completed several projects at this Tokoma Park, Maryland property. We cleaned up the backyard, renovated an existing swale, and installed water loving plants. The following year, we replaced the old pea gravel driveway with a permeable paver driveway. While doing the driveway we encountered spongey clay that was saturated from a leaking water line. We had to install concrete piers down to virgin soil to bear the weight of the walkway. The driveway excavation had to take into account the root zones of large trees. To avoid the surface roots we used a minimal excavation design. Our ultimate goal with this project was to ensure that the new walkways provided a safe and comfortable path for the homeowners and guest to get from their cars to porch whether parked along the street or in the driveway. To provide an extra layer of security, we added low-voltage lighting to accent trees and light the walkway, which were programmed to come on at dusk and turn off automatically at dawn. The new plantings are native species including River Birch, Swamp Hibiscus, Blue Flag Iris, and Common Rush, that are adapted to growing in wet soils. The permeable paver driveway will reduce runoff by storing rain in gravel base while allowing it to be absorbed into the soil below. The paver surface eliminates the tracking of pea gravel into the house while allowing heels to walk on it without sinking in. The swale handles runoff from all the uphill properties and the gravel keeps it from becoming a soggy mess. 
 During seasonal months, snow and leaf removal are greatly eased by having a hard surface to shovel or rake. The permeable pavers used are Techo-Bloc Villagio in Shale Grey and we installed a granite Belgian block border. We replaced existing broken concrete walkway with new curving flagstone walkway and connected the front steps to the driveway and side steps. All projects were consulted with the City of Takoma Park’s Urban Forest Manager, and the Montgomery County Historical Preservation Commission.

The primary bathroom was expanded by absorbing the adjacent guest bath to create a four-zone spa sanctuary. This view captures the freestanding soaking tub beneath a crystal chandelier, dual custom vanities in a warm stained finish, marble-look tile walls and the built-in sauna visible through its glass door at left. The layout divides bathing, showering, steam and sauna into dedicated zones connected by a continuous tile and millwork palette.

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.

Articulating the contrast of the soft white lighting and white elements within the room, the bathrooms hardware utilizes crisp and vibrant honey bronze brushed components to further accentuate the light. With similar warm tones, the metal absorbs the warmth of the pendant lighting, strengthening the intensity of both.

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.

James Haefner Photography
Example of a huge classic beige two-story mixed siding exterior home design in Detroit

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.