Photo by Mike Casey The owners of this 1960s ranch house loved their house but it wasn't configured to meet their needs. The house had only two small bedrooms for the family of four, and there was no casual living space for parents and kids to hang out separately. Neither we nor the clients wanted to increase the home's energy usage. It was a tall order: could we increase the home's size without increasing its energy footprint? ADDING FUNCTIONALITY We built two small additions, one at the front of the home and one off the side adjacent to the two existing bedrooms. These new spaces provided an additional bedroom on the main level as well as a new stair down to the basement. At basement level, the additions yielded a guest room, a full bathroom and a laundry area. The existing basement, which is now easily accessible from the main floor, was refinished as a casual family room. The architect designed the new spaces to be spare and bright, replicating the mid-century aesthetic. Every detail—from the open stair, to the light maple floors, to the detailing of the bathroom vanity—echoes the vintage and character of the original home. INTEGRATING ENERGY AND DESIGN The key to meeting this challenge was a rigorous and integrated planning process with early-stage energy modeling accompanying design. As the architect (Anita Rogers) worked out the space plan, the energy consultant (Mike Duclos) analyzed how various scenarios could be combined with envelope and mechanical packages to not only hold the line on energy use but improve performance. We anticipate the plan we settled on will save 25% annually over pre-project energy use.

Photo by Mike Casey The owners of this 1960s ranch house loved their house but it wasn't configured to meet their needs. The house had only two small bedrooms for the family of four, and there was no casual living space for parents and kids to hang out separately. Neither we nor the clients wanted to increase the home's energy usage. It was a tall order: could we increase the home's size without increasing its energy footprint? ADDING FUNCTIONALITY We built two small additions, one at the front of the home and one off the side adjacent to the two existing bedrooms. These new spaces provided an additional bedroom on the main level as well as a new stair down to the basement. At basement level, the additions yielded a guest room, a full bathroom and a laundry area. The existing basement, which is now easily accessible from the main floor, was refinished as a casual family room. The architect designed the new spaces to be spare and bright, replicating the mid-century aesthetic. Every detail—from the open stair, to the light maple floors, to the detailing of the bathroom vanity—echoes the vintage and character of the original home. INTEGRATING ENERGY AND DESIGN The key to meeting this challenge was a rigorous and integrated planning process with early-stage energy modeling accompanying design. As the architect (Anita Rogers) worked out the space plan, the energy consultant (Mike Duclos) analyzed how various scenarios could be combined with envelope and mechanical packages to not only hold the line on energy use but improve performance. We anticipate the plan we settled on will save 25% annually over pre-project energy use.

Stairs from lower courtyard lead to main garden. Photo credit: Tracie McIntyre; This garden follows the architecture of the house which was completely redesigned to reflect the owner's love of Mission style architecture. Palms of various sizes are massed to provide the structure which they lack on their own. Sizeable ferns throughout the garden provide and underlying texture and dynamism. Annuals in hot colours, bananas and coleus provide seasonal thrill. The highly textured foliage of Albizzias add an exotic note and will, over time, increase the play of light and shadow in the garden. The biggest challenge was creating a relationship between the house, which sits high on the lot, and the garden. A strong sense of indoor outdoor connection was achieved from both the basement and main level of the house by creating landings and enclosed courtyards ensconced by generously filled planters that lead up to the main garden.

Photo by Mike Casey The owners of this 1960s ranch house loved their house but it wasn't configured to meet their needs. The house had only two small bedrooms for the family of four, and there was no casual living space for parents and kids to hang out separately. Neither we nor the clients wanted to increase the home's energy usage. It was a tall order: could we increase the home's size without increasing its energy footprint? ADDING FUNCTIONALITY We built two small additions, one at the front of the home and one off the side adjacent to the two existing bedrooms. These new spaces provided an additional bedroom on the main level as well as a new stair down to the basement. At basement level, the additions yielded a guest room, a full bathroom and a laundry area. The existing basement, which is now easily accessible from the main floor, was refinished as a casual family room. The architect designed the new spaces to be spare and bright, replicating the mid-century aesthetic. Every detail—from the open stair, to the light maple floors, to the detailing of the bathroom vanity—echoes the vintage and character of the original home. INTEGRATING ENERGY AND DESIGN The key to meeting this challenge was a rigorous and integrated planning process with early-stage energy modeling accompanying design. As the architect (Anita Rogers) worked out the space plan, the energy consultant (Mike Duclos) analyzed how various scenarios could be combined with envelope and mechanical packages to not only hold the line on energy use but improve performance. We anticipate the plan we settled on will save 25% annually over pre-project energy use.

Photo by Mike Casey The owners of this 1960s ranch house loved their house but it wasn't configured to meet their needs. The house had only two small bedrooms for the family of four, and there was no casual living space for parents and kids to hang out separately. Neither we nor the clients wanted to increase the home's energy usage. It was a tall order: could we increase the home's size without increasing its energy footprint? ADDING FUNCTIONALITY We built two small additions, one at the front of the home and one off the side adjacent to the two existing bedrooms. These new spaces provided an additional bedroom on the main level as well as a new stair down to the basement. At basement level, the additions yielded a guest room, a full bathroom and a laundry area. The existing basement, which is now easily accessible from the main floor, was refinished as a casual family room. The architect designed the new spaces to be spare and bright, replicating the mid-century aesthetic. Every detail—from the open stair, to the light maple floors, to the detailing of the bathroom vanity—echoes the vintage and character of the original home. INTEGRATING ENERGY AND DESIGN The key to meeting this challenge was a rigorous and integrated planning process with early-stage energy modeling accompanying design. As the architect (Anita Rogers) worked out the space plan, the energy consultant (Mike Duclos) analyzed how various scenarios could be combined with envelope and mechanical packages to not only hold the line on energy use but improve performance. We anticipate the plan we settled on will save 25% annually over pre-project energy use.

Photo by Mike Casey The owners of this 1960s ranch house loved their house but it wasn't configured to meet their needs. The house had only two small bedrooms for the family of four, and there was no casual living space for parents and kids to hang out separately. Neither we nor the clients wanted to increase the home's energy usage. It was a tall order: could we increase the home's size without increasing its energy footprint? ADDING FUNCTIONALITY We built two small additions, one at the front of the home and one off the side adjacent to the two existing bedrooms. These new spaces provided an additional bedroom on the main level as well as a new stair down to the basement. At basement level, the additions yielded a guest room, a full bathroom and a laundry area. The existing basement, which is now easily accessible from the main floor, was refinished as a casual family room. The architect designed the new spaces to be spare and bright, replicating the mid-century aesthetic. Every detail—from the open stair, to the light maple floors, to the detailing of the bathroom vanity—echoes the vintage and character of the original home. INTEGRATING ENERGY AND DESIGN The key to meeting this challenge was a rigorous and integrated planning process with early-stage energy modeling accompanying design. As the architect (Anita Rogers) worked out the space plan, the energy consultant (Mike Duclos) analyzed how various scenarios could be combined with envelope and mechanical packages to not only hold the line on energy use but improve performance. We anticipate the plan we settled on will save 25% annually over pre-project energy use.

Photo by Mike Casey The owners of this 1960s ranch house loved their house but it wasn't configured to meet their needs. The house had only two small bedrooms for the family of four, and there was no casual living space for parents and kids to hang out separately. Neither we nor the clients wanted to increase the home's energy usage. It was a tall order: could we increase the home's size without increasing its energy footprint? ADDING FUNCTIONALITY We built two small additions, one at the front of the home and one off the side adjacent to the two existing bedrooms. These new spaces provided an additional bedroom on the main level as well as a new stair down to the basement. At basement level, the additions yielded a guest room, a full bathroom and a laundry area. The existing basement, which is now easily accessible from the main floor, was refinished as a casual family room. The architect designed the new spaces to be spare and bright, replicating the mid-century aesthetic. Every detail—from the open stair, to the light maple floors, to the detailing of the bathroom vanity—echoes the vintage and character of the original home. INTEGRATING ENERGY AND DESIGN The key to meeting this challenge was a rigorous and integrated planning process with early-stage energy modeling accompanying design. As the architect (Anita Rogers) worked out the space plan, the energy consultant (Mike Duclos) analyzed how various scenarios could be combined with envelope and mechanical packages to not only hold the line on energy use but improve performance. We anticipate the plan we settled on will save 25% annually over pre-project energy use.

Photo by Mike Casey The owners of this 1960s ranch house loved their house but it wasn't configured to meet their needs. The house had only two small bedrooms for the family of four, and there was no casual living space for parents and kids to hang out separately. Neither we nor the clients wanted to increase the home's energy usage. It was a tall order: could we increase the home's size without increasing its energy footprint? ADDING FUNCTIONALITY We built two small additions, one at the front of the home and one off the side adjacent to the two existing bedrooms. These new spaces provided an additional bedroom on the main level as well as a new stair down to the basement. At basement level, the additions yielded a guest room, a full bathroom and a laundry area. The existing basement, which is now easily accessible from the main floor, was refinished as a casual family room. The architect designed the new spaces to be spare and bright, replicating the mid-century aesthetic. Every detail—from the open stair, to the light maple floors, to the detailing of the bathroom vanity—echoes the vintage and character of the original home. INTEGRATING ENERGY AND DESIGN The key to meeting this challenge was a rigorous and integrated planning process with early-stage energy modeling accompanying design. As the architect (Anita Rogers) worked out the space plan, the energy consultant (Mike Duclos) analyzed how various scenarios could be combined with envelope and mechanical packages to not only hold the line on energy use but improve performance. We anticipate the plan we settled on will save 25% annually over pre-project energy use.

Picea mariana 'Ericoides' Le jardinet

Gorgeous master bath with dramatic retro "wave" tile. Peak Photography
Example of a 1950s bathroom design in Los Angeles

After returning from a winter trip to discover his house had been flooded by a burst second-floor pipe, this homeowner was ready to address the renovations and additions that he had been pondering for about a decade. It was important to him to respect the original character of the c. +/- 1910 two-bedroom small home that had been in his family for years, while re-imagining the kitchen and flow. In response, KHS proposed a one-story addition, recalling an enclosed porch, which springs from the front roof line and then wraps the house to the north. An informal front dining space, complete with built-in banquette, occupies the east end of the addition behind large double-hung windows sized to match those on the original house, and a new kitchen occupies the west end of the addition behind smaller casement windows at counter height. New French doors to the rear allow the owner greater access to an outdoor room edged by the house to the east, the existing one-car garage to the south, and a rear rock wall to the west. Much of the lot to the north was left open for the owner’s annual summer volley ball party. The first-floor was then reconfigured, capturing additional interior space from a recessed porch on the rear, to create a rear mudroom entrance hall, full bath, and den, which could someday function as a third bedroom if needed. Upstairs, a rear shed dormer was extended to the north and east so that head room could be increased, rendering more of the owner’s office/second bedroom usable. Windows and doors were relocated as necessary to better serve the new plan and to capture more daylight. Having expanded from its original 1100 square feet to approximately 1700 square feet, it’s still a small, sweet house – only freshly updated, and with a hint of porchiness. Photos by Katie Hutchison

Royal Palms and Queen Emmas Landscape designed and installed by Construction Landscape, Jennifer Bevins 772-492-8382
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional partial sun front yard formal garden in Orlando.

Low water use planting using Arbutus unedo 'Oktoberfest' (right back), Sedum 'Autumn Joy' (right front), Pennisetum setaceum (middle front), Pennisetum Oriental (left front) and Teucrium chamaedrys 'Prostratum' (left front).

Photo by Jay Sifford.
Home design - home design idea in Charlotte

The Art of Wholesale Artificial Grass Potted Plants The demand is skyrocketing. A recent report shows a staggering 35% increase in the wholesale market for artificial potted plants in the last two years. How did we get here? DIY enthusiasts and retail designers alike are gravitating toward artificial options like never before. For instance, a pop-up shop in Austin showcased Longjin Craft’s artificial pampas grass, achieving record sales within the first week. Just imagine the impact such products can have on urban spaces where natural greenery struggles to thrive. Quality varies significantly. Some manufacturers cut corners, using inferior materials that fade or crumble within months. In stark contrast, premium brands such as Longjin Craft utilize advanced UV-resistant technology, ensuring durability and vibrant colors. The weight of high-quality polymer can feel surprising when comparing. Light as a feather? Not exactly. Some high-end options weigh substantially more, signifying their robust build. Trends and Innovations in the Market What’s trending? Sustainability, of course! Buyers are more eco-conscious. Reports indicate over 50% of consumers prefer brands that highlight their sustainability practices. Enter the world of recyclable artificial plants. Brands are innovating, shifting materials from merely synthetic to environmentally friendly composites. How can you not be impressed by this shift? The future looks greener—ironically speaking. Retailers are embracing unique selling propositions to set their brands apart. Take, for example, customizable potted plant arrangements. Imagine a landscape designer creating a bespoke setup featuring various plant species, with artificial variants like those from Longjin Craft fitting seamlessly into the surroundings. It’s a game-changer, keeping costs down while making spaces visually stunning. Practical Applications in Design Interior design is evolving. From coffee shops to luxury hotels, artificial potted grass is popping up everywhere. One case study revealed that a Southern California cafe increased customer dwell time by 25% after introducing strategically placed artificial plants. Imagine sipping your latte surrounded by lush greenery—all without the maintenance headaches. Commercial settings also benefit massively. Large office complexes are opting for artificial potted plants to create inviting environments. The rationale? Reduces maintenance costs and boosts employee morale. Can you believe a single office could save thousands annually by replacing natural greenery with artificial options? Longjin Craft has increasingly become a go-to choice for these installations, thanks to their reputation for striking aesthetics and quality.

Photo by Jay Sifford.

James T. Menge
Inspiration for a tropical landscaping in Jacksonville.

After returning from a winter trip to discover his house had been flooded by a burst second-floor pipe, this homeowner was ready to address the renovations and additions that he had been pondering for about a decade. It was important to him to respect the original character of the c. +/- 1910 two-bedroom small home that had been in his family for years, while re-imagining the kitchen and flow. In response, KHS proposed a one-story addition, recalling an enclosed porch, which springs from the front roof line and then wraps the house to the north. An informal front dining space, complete with built-in banquette, occupies the east end of the addition behind large double-hung windows sized to match those on the original house, and a new kitchen occupies the west end of the addition behind smaller casement windows at counter height. New French doors to the rear allow the owner greater access to an outdoor room edged by the house to the east, the existing one-car garage to the south, and a rear rock wall to the west. Much of the lot to the north was left open for the owner’s annual summer volley ball party. The first-floor was then reconfigured, capturing additional interior space from a recessed porch on the rear, to create a rear mudroom entrance hall, full bath, and den, which could someday function as a third bedroom if needed. Upstairs, a rear shed dormer was extended to the north and east so that head room could be increased, rendering more of the owner’s office/second bedroom usable. Windows and doors were relocated as necessary to better serve the new plan and to capture more daylight. Having expanded from its original 1100 square feet to approximately 1700 square feet, it’s still a small, sweet house – only freshly updated, and with a hint of porchiness. Photos by Katie Hutchison

After returning from a winter trip to discover his house had been flooded by a burst second-floor pipe, this homeowner was ready to address the renovations and additions that he had been pondering for about a decade. It was important to him to respect the original character of the c. +/- 1910 two-bedroom small home that had been in his family for years, while re-imagining the kitchen and flow. In response, KHS proposed a one-story addition, recalling an enclosed porch, which springs from the front roof line and then wraps the house to the north. An informal front dining space, complete with built-in banquette, occupies the east end of the addition behind large double-hung windows sized to match those on the original house, and a new kitchen occupies the west end of the addition behind smaller casement windows at counter height. New French doors to the rear allow the owner greater access to an outdoor room edged by the house to the east, the existing one-car garage to the south, and a rear rock wall to the west. Much of the lot to the north was left open for the owner’s annual summer volley ball party. The first-floor was then reconfigured, capturing additional interior space from a recessed porch on the rear, to create a rear mudroom entrance hall, full bath, and den, which could someday function as a third bedroom if needed. Upstairs, a rear shed dormer was extended to the north and east so that head room could be increased, rendering more of the owner’s office/second bedroom usable. Windows and doors were relocated as necessary to better serve the new plan and to capture more daylight. Having expanded from its original 1100 square feet to approximately 1700 square feet, it’s still a small, sweet house – only freshly updated, and with a hint of porchiness. Photos by Katie Hutchison