Cherry cabinets with stainless steel trim integrated with a copper heating pipe. A combination of open shelving and full height cabinetry creates a light composition with lots of hidden storage. Note the pantry beyond where the base cabinet with sliding doors conceals the cat's litter box! Photo by Heidi Solander

The 5,000 square foot private residence is located in the community of Horseshoe Bay, above the shores of Lake LBJ, and responds to the Texas Hill Country vernacular prescribed by the community: shallow metal roofs, regional materials, sensitive scale massing and water-wise landscaping. The house opens to the scenic north and north-west views and fractures and shifts in order to keep significant oak, mesquite, elm, cedar and persimmon trees, in the process creating lush private patios and limestone terraces. The Owners desired an accessible residence built for flexibility as they age. This led to a single level home, and the challenge to nestle the step-less house into the sloping landscape. Full height glazing opens the house to the very beautiful arid landscape, while porches and overhangs protect interior spaces from the harsh Texas sun. Expansive walls of industrial insulated glazing panels allow soft modulated light to penetrate the interior while providing visual privacy. An integral lap pool with adjacent low fenestration reflects dappled light deep into the house. Chaste stained concrete floors and blackened steel focal elements contrast with islands of mesquite flooring, cherry casework and fir ceilings. Selective areas of exposed limestone walls, some incorporating salvaged timber lintels, and cor-ten steel components further the contrast within the uncomplicated framework. The Owner’s object and art collection is incorporated into the residence’s sequence of connecting galleries creating a choreography of passage that alternates between the lucid expression of simple ranch house architecture and the rich accumulation of their heritage. The general contractor for the project is local custom homebuilder Dauphine Homes. Structural Engineering is provided by Structures Inc. of Austin, Texas, and Landscape Architecture is provided by Prado Design LLC in conjunction with Jill Nokes, also of Austin. Cecil Baker + Partners Photography

Freestanding bathtub - large coastal master white tile and porcelain tile double-sink, ceramic tile, blue floor and wainscoting freestanding bathtub idea in San Francisco with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, quartz countertops, a freestanding vanity, a two-piece toilet, blue walls, an undermount sink, a hinged shower door, white countertops and a niche

This beautiful bathroom is decorated in our Citrine® Quartz Calacatta Luna Stock # 105 and yes, it is very easy to maintain, because there are no angle joints, no pores and no grout lines to accumulate soap scum or mildew. Our expert installers use miter joints, which limit the use of grout or caulk and gives the aesthetics of one continuous slab. Calacatta Luna was featured in the November 2018 - Stone World Magazine - Page 71

The decision to go small is about her personal values, committing to a lifestyle, and living within her means. The move to design small is a subjective decision that weighs in on a number of factors that can’t possibly be summed up in one statement, but the obvious benefits jump to the front...easier to maintain, less cleaning, less expensive, less debt, less environmental impact, less temptation to accumulate. Her design requirements were simple, small footprint less than 1000 sq. ft., garage below the living area, and take advantage of the amazing view. It’s smaller than the average house, but designed in a way that it won’t feel like a shoebox. My client thought long and hard about downsizing her home and her lifestyle, and she couldn’t be happier

When I came to this property not only was the landscape a scrappy mess the property also had some very real grading and drainage issues that were jeopardizing the safety of this house. As recent transplants from New Jerseys to Southern California these clients were in awe of all the plants they were seeing in their neighborhood. Living on the water at the Ventura harbor they wanted to be able to take full advantage or the outdoor lifestyle and cool ocean breeze. Being environmentally conscious citizens, these clients were very concerned that their garden was designed with sustainability as a leading factor. As they said in our initial consultation, “Would want or garden be part of the solution not part of the problem.” This property is the last house on the bottom of a gently sloping street. All the water from the neighbor’s houses drain onto this property. When I came into this project the back yard sloped into the house. When it would rain the water would pool up against the house causing water damage. To address the drainage we employed several tactics. Firstly, we had to invert the slope in the back yard so that water would not pool against the house. We created a very minor slope going away from the house so that water drains away but so the patio area feels flat. The back of the back yard had an existing retaining wall made out of shabby looking slump stone. In front of that retaining wall we created a beautiful natural stone retaining wall. This retain wall severs many purposes. One it works as a place to put some of the soil removed from the grading giving this project a smaller carbon foot print (moving soil of a site burns a lot of fossil fuel). The retaining wall also helps obscure the shabby existing retaining wall and allows for planting space above the footing from the existing retaining wall. The soil behind the ne retaining wall is slightly lower than the top of the wall so that when the run on water on from the neighbor’s property flows it is slowed down and absorbed before it has a chance to get near the house. Finally, the wall is at a height designed to serve as overflow seating as these clients intend to have occasional large parties and gatherings. Other efforts made to help keep the house safe and dry are that we used permeable paving. With the hardscape being comprised of flag stone with gravel in-between water has a chance to soak into the ground so it does not flow into spots where it will pool up. The final element to help keep the house dry is the addition of infiltration swales. Infiltration swales are depressions in the landscape that capture rain water. The down spouts on the sides of the houses are connected to pipe that goes under the ground and conveys the water to the swales. In this project it helps move rain water away from the house. In general, these Infiltration swales are a powerful element in creating sustainable landscapes. These swales capture pollutants that accumulate on the roof and in the landscape. Biology in the soil in the swales can break down these pollutants. When run of watered is not captured by soil on a property the dirty water flows into water ways and then the ocean were the biology that breaks down the pollutants is not as prolific. This is particularly important in this project as it drains directly into the harbor. The water that is absorbed in to the swales can replenish aquafers as well as increasing the water available to the plants planted in that area recusing the amount of water that is needed from irrigation. When it came to the planting we went with a California friendly tropical theme. Using lots of succulents and plants with colorful foliage we created vibrant lush landscape that will have year around color. We planted densely (the images in the picture were taken only a month after installation). Taller drought tolerant plants to help regulate the temperature and loss of water from the plants below them. The dense plantings will help keep the garden, the house and even the neighborhood cooler on hot days, will provide spaces for birds to enjoy and will create an illusion of depth in a somewhat narrow space. Today this garden is a space these homeowners can fully enjoy while having the peace of mind that their house is protected from flooding and they are helping the environment.

The living Room was a challenging room for client. This large room that was never used because it was a pass through room in the house. We were able to create two separate seating areas and still allow for a walkway. They wanted to be able to hold large family gatherings in this space so we made sure to include plenty of seating (total seating for 12). We also incorporated wonderful keepsakes the client had accumulated from her world travels. The Persian rugs and the black carved storage chest became a perfect coffee table with a custom piece of glass cut to protect. The vibrant color palette paired with the black accents makes a great statement in this home.

The study is a wonderful location for a stand alone ormolu desk and tapestry chair. An accumulation of leather books and accessories are set in these custom built French green gilt bookcases.

Chiara Rose Anti-slip Armless Sofa Cover Furniture Protector Chair Size Diamond Dimensions: 29 Inch X 70 Inch BEST SOFA PROTECTOR - This Slipcover is Extremely Sturdy, as well as an Instant, Magical Solution to Renew your Old Furniture with an Elegant Look! Ultrasonically welded seams prevent ripping apart and unraveling. The Edges are Laser-Cut to give a Chenille Trim Effect. Its Velvety Texture is Soft and also functions like a Warm Pet Bed giving a Sense of Security while your Pet is Resting. Our Covers are absolutely Pet-Friendly. PROTECTIVE! Best Protection for ANIMAL SCRATCHES FUR SHED-HAIR DIRT FOOD SPILLS WEAR TEAR! STAIN PROOF! Perfect Guard against Cats Dogs Kids Children! DECORATIVE! Great Stylish Coverage and Luxury Decoration in Living, Sitting Room with Full Solid Colors and Beautiful Printed, Patterned Designs, Extra Deluxe Décor, Nice Plush Texture! New Modern Look! CUSTOM-FIT! Relaxed fitted in Wing-back, Club, Rocker, Single Chair and a Half, one two three Pillow Coach, 1 2 Seaters, Box, T cushion, L, U shape Seaters! Big Large Long Wide Couches! Leather Velour Denim Twill Linen Sofas! NON SLIDE! Slid-Resistant with PLASTIC DROP BACKING! No More Slipping Off / Sliding Over! Plastic Dots firmly Grip Upholstery! Stays in Place! No Zipper, Mat, Elastic Strap! No Pads under! EASY CARE & WASH, DURABLE, DETERRENT! Machine Washable! Easily Removable Ready Made Furniture Throws! Cheap and Inexpensive! Heavy Duty Fabric! Stretch Enough to Cloth up Perfectly and Look Form Fit! NO ARMS! Slipcovers with Armrests DON’T properly FIT IN the Armrests and always create Fitting Problems. You know, they also have an Ugly Look. But with Chiara Rose no Need to Worry about Armrests anymore! • PLEASE MAKE SURE TO READ DETAILED PRODUCT INFORMATION BELOW! ________________________________________ Product Description WHY CHIARA ROSE SOFA COVERS? Kids and Pets; We love them but we also love our furniture. Cleaning furniture is one of the most difficult chores and that’s why you need to protect it from dirt. The easiest and economical way of preserving your furniture is Chiara Rose Sofa Protector. Just put the sofa protector on your sofas (futon or couch) and stop worrying about stains and spills. It is perfect for homes with kids and pets. Pets love to scratch upholstery of the furniture. The enduring 220 gsm polyester fabric of Chiara Rose Sofa Protectors prevents tears and any kind of debris on your sofas. Its sturdy texture doesn’t let any spill and dirt penetrate the upholstery. Besides being durable, Chiara Rose Sofa Cover is suitable to all types of decoration. To express your own personal style, you can choose from a variety of color and design options that fit perfectly to your home décor. With brilliant colors and attractive patterns, Chiara Rose Sofa Covers will give your room a completely new outlook. Unlike other covers, you don’t need to remove Chiara Rose Sofa Protector when you have guests. It will both protect your furniture and become a part of your home decoration. WHY CHIARA ROSE SOFA PROTECTOR IS DURABLE? The most common problem with traditional sofa covers is that after a short time of use the stitches come apart. The edges of Chiara Rose Sofa Cover are manufactured with ultrasonic laser cut technology. This technology prevents the edges from unraveling. What’s more, the 220 gsm polyester knitted fabric is the most long lasting fabric used in furniture protectors. While being durable, this fabric gives a warm sense of touch and pleasure to sit upon. WHY CHIARA ROSE IS THE BEST ANTI-SLIP SOFA PROTECTOR? We always use the most contemporary technology to develop our products. That’s why we decided to use the patented plastic drop design on the back side of our covers to create the anti slip effect. These plastic drops firmly grip the upholstery of furniture so that the cover doesn’t slip off the seat easily. Even after your kids and pets jump on the sofa, Chiara Rose Sofa Cover holds on to your furniture. A quick adjustment is all it takes to get it back to look smooth. Chiara Rose Sofa Cover is the only sofa protector that uses this new technology. WHY IT IS EASY TO USE CHIARA ROSE SOFA PROTECTORS? No zippers, no elastic straps, no metal hooks!!! The anti-slip drops will take care of everything! , As shown on the image, just lay Chiara Rose Sofa Cover on your sofa, and tuck it between the cushion and the arms of the sofa. That’s all you need to do to put it on. Chiara Rose Sofa Protector doesn’t allow everyday dirt, pet hair and food spills reach your sofa. The pattern of the fabric prevents accumulation of dirt on it. You can easily take off this dirt. In order to get best results, use a vacuum cleaner or shake your cover off before machine wash. Chiara Rose Sofa Protector is easy care. It can be machine washed on max. 30°C or 85°F water temperature. Don’t use bleacher. Machine dryer can be used on low heat setting. To avoid wrinkles, use gentle cycle on washing machine and hang from a line while drying. If necessary, iron at low temperature.

The professionals at AEH Builders have been working in the Phoenix and Scottsdale area for over 10 years, and a team of experienced builders with a combined 150 years! Through numerous projects for both residential and commercial clients, we have accumulated an expert level of skill and knowledge.

One of the most popular hardwood floor finishing which offers Tom & Peter Flooring is provided by WOCA. If you’ve decided that you want a natural looking wooden floor that is lacquer-free, then the likelihood is that you’ve chosen oil as your way of protecting your wood and making your floor look great at the same time. WOCA for wood flooring comes in various forms and is a great way of making sure that your wood is protected, but at the same time looks natural. A highly popular as well as effective way of treating wood floors, oils effectively penetrate into the wood and in some cases harden into the surface of the floor to stop damage and to maintain the wood in its optimum condition. WOCA Oil finish hardwood flooring has taken the United States market by in 2014 and shows no signs of slowing down in 2016 and now. Here are some of the most common questions we have regarding this type of finish which we will I’m to answer in today’s my blog: Is oil finish as durable as traditional factory urethane finishes with aluminum oxide? When it comes to durability, oil finish flooring tackles the issue with a completely different method. The penetrating oil serves as protection from moisture and wear while allowing the user to feel the wood grains in their bare feet. If compared directly to factory finished aluminum oxide finish, the oil finish flooring will not perform as well to abrasion and impact. However, the beauty of this finish is the fact that it will camouflage any scratches which will inevitably accumulate over time. Will this finish evaporate over time and will this be harmful for indoor air quality? Another concern for oil finished floors its effect on indoor air quality. For on-site applications, some varieties suggest several coats which typically require the residents to be out of the home due to mild odors. However, there are factory finished UV-cured or single coat applications which lessen the downtime. Despite the odors produced during the drying process, oil finish floors rank amongst the lowest for VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions. Certain brands even boast true zero VOC. This fact alone makes oil finished floors one of the best options for green building solutions. “WOCA products are certified by independent laboratories, the German Institute for Biological Building Materials, and are in accordance with DIN–Norm 53–160. WOCA WoodCare Denmark products meet or exceed the most stringent U.S. standards for volatile organic compounds.” –WOCA Oil Finish Manufacture Does this type of finish require additional maintenance which I am not familiar with? For weekly cleaning, oiled floors use a special cleaner which contains an oil and soap mixture. After a period of 12-18 months some oil may evaporate causing the wood grains to appear dry. An additional layer of oil can be reapplied to keep the floor looking fresh. Although oil finished floors require more involvement in periodic maintenance in high traffic areas, this maintenance can be done much easier than the equivalent of an onsite sand and refinish. WOCA Master Color Oil contains pigment, which provides a single-step hardwood floor staining process. Laying down the stain and the finish in one step. This product comes 14 different colors, from Black to Extra White, and you can mix them freely to create various color palettes that will meet the demands of any job. Below are some pictures of the finished job…

An avid traveller and art collector, the client had accumulated an eclectic assortment of artwork and mixed-media pieces without a dedicated place to display them. We transformed the dining room wall into a deeply personal gallery, combining varied frame sizes, finishes and styles in an intentionally relaxed composition. Rather than appearing overly formal, the arrangement feels as though it has evolved naturally over time and can continue growing with the client’s collection. Photographer: Stephani Buchman

this concrete slab is heated directly under where the snow is likely to accumulate, will melt and drain into desired areas for runoffs.
Minimalist home design photo in Seattle

When I came to this property not only was the landscape a scrappy mess the property also had some very real grading and drainage issues that were jeopardizing the safety of this house. As recent transplants from New Jerseys to Southern California these clients were in awe of all the plants they were seeing in their neighborhood. Living on the water at the Ventura harbor they wanted to be able to take full advantage or the outdoor lifestyle and cool ocean breeze. Being environmentally conscious citizens, these clients were very concerned that their garden was designed with sustainability as a leading factor. As they said in our initial consultation, “Would want or garden be part of the solution not part of the problem.” This property is the last house on the bottom of a gently sloping street. All the water from the neighbor’s houses drain onto this property. When I came into this project the back yard sloped into the house. When it would rain the water would pool up against the house causing water damage. To address the drainage we employed several tactics. Firstly, we had to invert the slope in the back yard so that water would not pool against the house. We created a very minor slope going away from the house so that water drains away but so the patio area feels flat. The back of the back yard had an existing retaining wall made out of shabby looking slump stone. In front of that retaining wall we created a beautiful natural stone retaining wall. This retain wall severs many purposes. One it works as a place to put some of the soil removed from the grading giving this project a smaller carbon foot print (moving soil of a site burns a lot of fossil fuel). The retaining wall also helps obscure the shabby existing retaining wall and allows for planting space above the footing from the existing retaining wall. The soil behind the ne retaining wall is slightly lower than the top of the wall so that when the run on water on from the neighbor’s property flows it is slowed down and absorbed before it has a chance to get near the house. Finally, the wall is at a height designed to serve as overflow seating as these clients intend to have occasional large parties and gatherings. Other efforts made to help keep the house safe and dry are that we used permeable paving. With the hardscape being comprised of flag stone with gravel in-between water has a chance to soak into the ground so it does not flow into spots where it will pool up. The final element to help keep the house dry is the addition of infiltration swales. Infiltration swales are depressions in the landscape that capture rain water. The down spouts on the sides of the houses are connected to pipe that goes under the ground and conveys the water to the swales. In this project it helps move rain water away from the house. In general, these Infiltration swales are a powerful element in creating sustainable landscapes. These swales capture pollutants that accumulate on the roof and in the landscape. Biology in the soil in the swales can break down these pollutants. When run of watered is not captured by soil on a property the dirty water flows into water ways and then the ocean were the biology that breaks down the pollutants is not as prolific. This is particularly important in this project as it drains directly into the harbor. The water that is absorbed in to the swales can replenish aquafers as well as increasing the water available to the plants planted in that area recusing the amount of water that is needed from irrigation. When it came to the planting we went with a California friendly tropical theme. Using lots of succulents and plants with colorful foliage we created vibrant lush landscape that will have year around color. We planted densely (the images in the picture were taken only a month after installation). Taller drought tolerant plants to help regulate the temperature and loss of water from the plants below them. The dense plantings will help keep the garden, the house and even the neighborhood cooler on hot days, will provide spaces for birds to enjoy and will create an illusion of depth in a somewhat narrow space. Today this garden is a space these homeowners can fully enjoy while having the peace of mind that their house is protected from flooding and they are helping the environment.

While working on other projects for the property owner, I noticed that his skylight was leaking a lot during one of our monsoon rains. As you can see, someone else had tried patching the damage inside without successfully repairing the damage outside. He gave me the go-ahead to fix it. Got up on the roof of this 2 story apartment and discovered that the seal on the dome was failing. Took the dome off and cleaned out the old seal and dirt that had accumulated and resealed with a premium silicone. Leak fixed! The leak caused damage to ceiling around the skylight inside. Skylight is in a winding stairway, so I put up ladders and scaffolds and tore out the bad sheetrock and replaced with new. Matched the texture and paint to blend everything back in.

This project focused on restoring and transforming a historic pressed tin ceiling that had accumulated significant wear over time. Years of modifications had left the ceiling with nail holes, damaged areas, missing ornamental details, and inconsistent finishes that hid much of the original craftsmanship. Our team carefully repaired the damaged sections and rebuilt missing ornamental elements to restore the integrity of the original design. Once the repairs were complete, the entire ceiling was professionally prepared and refinished. The ceiling and exposed HVAC ductwork were finished in Sherwin-Williams “Caviar,” a deep, rich tone that highlights the intricate patterns and architectural details of the pressed tin panels. The darker finish adds contrast and depth to the space, allowing the historic texture and decorative elements to stand out rather than blend into the background. The result is a dramatic transformation that brings new life to the historic ceiling while preserving its character. What was once a worn and inconsistent surface is now a striking architectural feature that anchors the room and celebrates the craftsmanship of the original tin work.

This custom floating deck was built to solve a tricky side-yard challenge—snow accumulation, uneven terrain, and obstructed access to basement window wells. We installed a sleek, weather-resistant composite deck system that floats above the grade and steps cleanly over two basement egress windows. The deck provides a dry, level walking surface in an otherwise sloped, icy zone. It’s built with proper clearance for drainage and venting, and framed with a self-supporting platform that keeps all utilities accessible. The fascia is mitered clean, matching the modern look of the home while protecting the framing below. Details Framing: Pressure-treated joists with adjustable deck blocks—no anchoring to foundation Decking: Grooved composite planks with hidden fasteners for a seamless surface Trim: Full-wrap mitered fascia around all visible sides Features: Cutout access over egress well; integrated step; zero-penetration design Conditions: Built during cold-weather season with snow on-site and minimal disruption to landscape Result The client now has year-round access along the home—no more slipping on ice or dodging around window wells. This deck brought utility and design together in a clean, functional install that looks like it was always meant to be there.

We are here to tackle the most cluttered spaces in your house! Whether it’s a closet in the basement where things have been accumulating for years or your entire house has been overrun with clutter, we can help! In addition to getting you on track, we are available for ongoing maintenance to make sure that your new organizing strategies persist over time. Price $75 per hour or prepaid 6 hours for $400

We are here to tackle the most cluttered spaces in your house! Whether it’s a closet in the basement where things have been accumulating for years or your entire house has been overrun with clutter, we can help! In addition to getting you on track, we are available for ongoing maintenance to make sure that your new organizing strategies persist over time. Price $75 per hour or prepaid 6 hours for $400