Beach style eat-in kitchen photo in Philadelphia with stainless steel appliances, subway tile backsplash, a farmhouse sink, granite countertops, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash and black countertops

Casey Dunn
This is an example of a mid-sized cottage porch design in Austin with decking.

Located in the picturesque San Luis Drive neighborhood, the Okimoto Residence was a major remodel and addition. What started as a minor facelift, the project underwent a series of design iterations to address the growing family's needs. The clients wanted a clean and contemporary home that wouldn't stick out in this typically traditional San Luis Obispo neighborhood. The final design was a 4 bedroom home with a large great room and play room. A 9' x 16' pocketing slider door opens the great room to the lush backyard which sits directly adjacent to the San Luis Creek. Smooth trowel stucco, a standing seam metal roof, and a texas limestone clad spine wall blend seamlessly with the warmer trim accents and clear cedar eaves. On the interior, the thoughtfully selected finishes provide a clean and inviting space that compliment the young, growing family's lifestyle.

Julie Mifsud Interior Design www.juliemifsuddesign.com/
Inspiration for a timeless gray tile freestanding bathtub remodel in San Francisco with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets and gray walls

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.

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.

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.

Mid-sized trendy dark wood floor great room photo in San Francisco with a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace and gray walls

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 look of white marble with the practicality of granite is what this client wanted, along with a gorgeous and functional room, of course—the answer to this requirement: White Macauba Quartzite countertops. Bob Narod, Photography.

This classic, inviting kitchen marries dark and light, organic and industrial, and traditional with touches of modernity to yield a most functional, beautiful space. White Macauba mined quartzite countertops masquerade as marble without the worry of staining or maintenance. The TV cabinet at the left complements the full overlay recessed panel cabinets of the kitchen with completely planar inset doors in Java stain on cherry wood. All design, materials, and contracting by Gardiner, and all construction and installation by his crews.

Craig Kronenberg used simple materials and forms to create this family compound. The use of stained siding, a stone base and a standing seam metal roof make this a low maintenance home. The house is located to focus all rooms on the river view. Photographs by Harlan Hambright.

Inspiration for a country entryway remodel in Boston

Located in the picturesque San Luis Drive neighborhood, the Okimoto Residence was a major remodel and addition. What started as a minor facelift, the project underwent a series of design iterations to address the growing family's needs. The clients wanted a clean and contemporary home that wouldn't stick out in this typically traditional San Luis Obispo neighborhood. The final design was a 4 bedroom home with a large great room and play room. A 9' x 16' pocketing slider door opens the great room to the lush backyard which sits directly adjacent to the San Luis Creek. Smooth trowel stucco, a standing seam metal roof, and a texas limestone clad spine wall blend seamlessly with the warmer trim accents and clear cedar eaves. On the interior, the thoughtfully selected finishes provide a clean and inviting space that compliment the young, growing family's lifestyle.

Located in the picturesque San Luis Drive neighborhood, the Okimoto Residence was a major remodel and addition. What started as a minor facelift, the project underwent a series of design iterations to address the growing family's needs. The clients wanted a clean and contemporary home that wouldn't stick out in this typically traditional San Luis Obispo neighborhood. The final design was a 4 bedroom home with a large great room and play room. A 9' x 16' pocketing slider door opens the great room to the lush backyard which sits directly adjacent to the San Luis Creek. Smooth trowel stucco, a standing seam metal roof, and a texas limestone clad spine wall blend seamlessly with the warmer trim accents and clear cedar eaves. On the interior, the thoughtfully selected finishes provide a clean and inviting space that compliment the young, growing family's lifestyle.

Located in the picturesque San Luis Drive neighborhood, the Okimoto Residence was a major remodel and addition. What started as a minor facelift, the project underwent a series of design iterations to address the growing family's needs. The clients wanted a clean and contemporary home that wouldn't stick out in this typically traditional San Luis Obispo neighborhood. The final design was a 4 bedroom home with a large great room and play room. A 9' x 16' pocketing slider door opens the great room to the lush backyard which sits directly adjacent to the San Luis Creek. Smooth trowel stucco, a standing seam metal roof, and a texas limestone clad spine wall blend seamlessly with the warmer trim accents and clear cedar eaves. On the interior, the thoughtfully selected finishes provide a clean and inviting space that compliment the young, growing family's lifestyle.

Located in the picturesque San Luis Drive neighborhood, the Okimoto Residence was a major remodel and addition. What started as a minor facelift, the project underwent a series of design iterations to address the growing family's needs. The clients wanted a clean and contemporary home that wouldn't stick out in this typically traditional San Luis Obispo neighborhood. The final design was a 4 bedroom home with a large great room and play room. A 9' x 16' pocketing slider door opens the great room to the lush backyard which sits directly adjacent to the San Luis Creek. Smooth trowel stucco, a standing seam metal roof, and a texas limestone clad spine wall blend seamlessly with the warmer trim accents and clear cedar eaves. On the interior, the thoughtfully selected finishes provide a clean and inviting space that compliment the young, growing family's lifestyle.

The Lighting was selected by the client and refinished to coordinate with the new color scheme. The foot prints from the previous to new are very similar, just a few minor adjustments to make cabinets more functional for cooking, and improve storage. The whole desk area was custom cabinets designed specifically to address the clients usage and organizational needs. cubbies, file drawers, wine storage, shallow pencil wide drawer, garage to hide landing space for briefcase, phones, etc.

Located in the picturesque San Luis Drive neighborhood, the Okimoto Residence was a major remodel and addition. What started as a minor facelift, the project underwent a series of design iterations to address the growing family's needs. The clients wanted a clean and contemporary home that wouldn't stick out in this typically traditional San Luis Obispo neighborhood. The final design was a 4 bedroom home with a large great room and play room. A 9' x 16' pocketing slider door opens the great room to the lush backyard which sits directly adjacent to the San Luis Creek. Smooth trowel stucco, a standing seam metal roof, and a texas limestone clad spine wall blend seamlessly with the warmer trim accents and clear cedar eaves. On the interior, the thoughtfully selected finishes provide a clean and inviting space that compliment the young, growing family's lifestyle.