Decorating with clocks is another easy way to inject style into a space without spending much money. Here’s a cool wall display I created using clocks I’ve accumulated over time. At the cottage, I didn’t have enough space to dedicate a whole room as an office, instead I created a drop zone desk in the hallway which can be used by our guests. Since I had an odd number of clocks (5 of them), I lined up the middle one with the desk and hung two on either side. I displayed the vintage clock in the middle because it was the largest, and also because it was the only one with a yellow background – two great reasons to place it center stage. For a fun contrast, I set my laptop across from an antique chair, and a vintage Royal typewriter facing a modern chair. The overall look is funky eclectic chic. Did you notice each clock shows a different time? I actually don’t have batteries in any of them. Since the guest bedroom is only a few steps away from the work station, I thought I’d be nice and not let the tic toc of each clock keep friends and family awake at night. On the other hand, if you want to set the time for each clock, make sure to insert the batteries and set the time before you hang them up. Trust me, it’ll save you lots of time and aggravation too as it can be quite a finicky process to re-hang each clock. UTRdecorating

Under Construction | Marble, Colorado |1,280 SF Rising from the pine forest, this small modern home overlooks a deep alpine valley in Central Colorado. The form originates in the golden ratio and celebrates its elemental materials. The exposed board-formed concrete base protects against deep snow accumulation in the winter. Charred cedar planks (shou sugi ban) wrap the home and provide durability and fire resistance. Raspberry Creek cascades through the property and a dense forest undergrowth provide a red and juicy harvest throughout the summer.

An extremely tiny kitchen from the late 80's badly needed updating. The original builder cabinetry was literally falling off the walls, not to mention the fact that there was ALOT of wasted space in the original layout. Small kitchens need love too and not everyone has the available budget to make them be magazine quality projects, but they can still benefit from thoughtful design and useful layout changes without breaking the bank. This kitchen was well under $10,000 before upgrades and appliances. Base Cabinets: Both blind corner base cabinets were replaced with Wood-Lazy Susans and the range was repositioned to be centered on the back wall for better aesthetics and symmetry. This also left a little room for the custom, pull-out spice rack. We shrunk the sink base down as small as possible to permit squeezing another useful cabinet in next to the dishwasher. Wall Cabinets: Where the old kitchen had standard/builder 30” tall cabinetry, we replaced this with taller 36” cabinetry which gives more storage and an updated look. The addition of a three piece crown molding to reach the ceiling enhances this updated feel and really adds the finishing touch to this space. The to-the-ceiling-crown molding also stops dust and grease from accumulating on top of the cabinetry. Countertop: Solid Granite tops provide durability and unmatched beauty in the new kitchen. Appliances: The homeowner had replaced the dishwasher about a year prior to this remodel so she kept that since it was relatively new. Brand new GE three piece appliance package replaced the other outdated and inefficient units. Even thought the old appliances still worked fine, they would have visually detracted from the new kitchen and another thing to consider is that they are pretty easy to sell when they are still in working order.

© Anthony Crisafulli 2013
Minimalist exterior home photo in Boston

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

SPATULA is a collection of double-fired ceramic tiles that combines contemporary style “Urban Chic” with handcrafts. This name comes from the tool used to spread the glaze on the bisque, which involves a manual intervention that gives an irregular and unique appearance to each piece. Double-firing is the process that produce Ceramics still made with earth dust, double-fired at more than 1000 °C (1832 °F) and glazed with a manual intervention, to give your wall that special natural touch of craftsmanship that other products do not have. This tile, fired twice, is the real Ceramics, understood as a blending of Earth, Glaze and Fire. Some deformations, irregularities, impurities and accumulations of glaze created by the Spatula are due to manual intervention and they are to be considered a value, making these pieces almost unique. Spatula collection represents the fusion of high craftsmanship with design; its warm and natural colours, including metallics, empathize the raw material of which it is composed.

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…

Peter LaBau, ArchitectA rustic exterior with contemporary detailing hints at the comfortable and well-appointed interior amenities. “I wanted to use reclaimed materials on the cladding. But for an exterior application, I was really reluctant to use something that wouldn’t last. The siding is harvested from beetle-killed trees, which they cut before it has deteriorated. So instead of fueling the massive forest fires we’ve been seeing out West, this timber sequesters that accumulated carbon. They mill it and give it a textured surface and treat it so that the wood can be re-coated in the future and will last for many years. We chose three different colors for each of the separate building sections to achieve the look the client wanted.”

This bathroom remodel took a small, outdated space and brought it up-to-date with contemporary fixtures and a cutting-edge linear shower drain. Swapping out an old, cramped, fiberglass shower with a much larger walk-in, not only improved the overall feel of the space, but made it safe and comfortable for clients even as they age. Adding more storage worked wonders at alleviating the clutter that bathrooms tend to accumulate.

Under Construction | Marble, Colorado |1,280 SF Rising from the pine forest, this small modern home overlooks a deep alpine valley in Central Colorado. The form originates in the golden ratio and celebrates its elemental materials. The exposed board-formed concrete base protects against deep snow accumulation in the winter. Charred cedar planks (shou sugi ban) wrap the home and provide durability and fire resistance. Raspberry Creek cascades through the property and a dense forest undergrowth provide a red and juicy harvest throughout the summer.

Under Construction | Marble, Colorado |1,280 SF Rising from the pine forest, this small modern home overlooks a deep alpine valley in Central Colorado. The form originates in the golden ratio and celebrates its elemental materials. The exposed board-formed concrete base protects against deep snow accumulation in the winter. Charred cedar planks (shou sugi ban) wrap the home and provide durability and fire resistance. Raspberry Creek cascades through the property and a dense forest undergrowth provide a red and juicy harvest throughout the summer.

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.

Basements & Cellars. Finishing Ideas! Turn your basement spaces into smart areas dedicated to leisure, hobbies, play areas, or entertainment. Unfinished basements are usually a headache for home and business owners, not just because of the waste of space and precious square footage, but because unused basements are more likely to deteriorate, accumulate humidity, mold, allergens, and endanger the overall foundations and structures when there is lack of maintenance. Improve and transform your space into an additional guest room, a custom-designed home office, a bar or an an entertainment room; add closets and storage space or contact us to help you with more ideas to give your basement a good make over!

Basements & Cellars. Finishing Ideas! Turn your basement spaces into smart areas dedicated to leisure, hobbies, play areas, or entertainment. Unfinished basements are usually a headache for home and business owners, not just because of the waste of space and precious square footage, but because unused basements are more likely to deteriorate, accumulate humidity, mold, allergens, and endanger the overall foundations and structures when there is lack of maintenance. Improve and transform your space into an additional guest room, a custom-designed home office, a bar or an an entertainment room; add closets and storage space or contact us to help you with more ideas to give your basement a good make over!

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.

Christy and Matt have traveled the world, picking up a love of Monet’s garden in France and many unique artifacts along the way. They had accumulated an extensive art collection of their own which expanded to include an eclectic array of folk art inherited from Christy’s mom. With an eye on downsizing, the couple realized their living environment had become cluttered. They wanted a more serene feeling in their home…like a modern version of Monet’s Garden. LiLu’s inspiration began with a new color palette, using green as a neutral and adding a mixture of vibrant colors reminiscent of a garden. Sheer drapes in the living room diffuse the natural light, almost as if the sun is being filtered through a canopy of trees. The design team also brought focus to their art collection by designing custom built-ins to display their artwork. The dark wood finish relates to the color of the custom dining table creating a cohesive composition. The clean-lined furniture features soft curves to suggest a more botanical feel. The result has brought dazzling serenity to this condo hidden among the busy streets of downtown Minneapolis. ---- Project designed by Minneapolis interior design studio LiLu Interiors. They serve the Minneapolis-St. Paul area including Wayzata, Edina, and Rochester, and they travel to the far-flung destinations that their upscale clientele own second homes in. ---- For more about LiLu Interiors, click here: https://www.liluinteriors.com/ ----- To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.liluinteriors.com/blog/portfolio-items/secret-garden/

When we first met, this client was extremely frustrated. A current contractor had left her with a yard in disarray, a project incomplete and the loss of an entire season of swimming pool use. Additionally, years of accumulated DIY projects left other potential landscape contractors overwhelmed and unwilling to take this project on. Picking up the pieces, we put together a design that would meet the client’s goals and our team set to work. We completed the retaining wall, laid a modular paver pool deck, updated the cedar deck, added privacy screening, solved drainage issues, installed LED lighting, overhauled plantings to maximize color and brought the lawn back to life. The re-defined space is a dream-come-true for our client. A yard which two years ago was a jungle of debris, is now the “go-to” gathering place for family & friends to relax and have fun.

The Zones Landscaping team started by removing all the weeds that had accumulated over time, as well as the large palms that were at the end of their lifecycle. During this project, the clients were also carrying out renovation work on their home, so Jason and his team had to cooperate and communicate with other trades on site to ensure there were no scheduling conflicts. Jason proceeded to construct a retaining wall made from timber, then established the lawn and garden parameters. The raised gardens and lawn areas had additional topsoil/ lawn mix applied before planting and contouring/sowing of the lawn was carried out. The concrete patio and paths included zinc oxide and were bush hammered and sealed with charcoal grout at the joints to give it a decorative non slip finish. Zones worked closely with both the designer and cllient when it came to plant selection, sizing, and placement. A range of subtropicals and natives were planted, including: nikau palms, westringia, hen and chicken ferns, hibiscus, cordyline negra, tractor seat plants, bird of paradise, frangipani, heuchera, coleus, as well as bedding plants for colour

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