Mid-sized transitional master dark wood floor and brown floor bedroom photo in DC Metro with gray walls and no fireplace

Photo of a kitchen renovation feature cabinets finished in Black Licorice and Pure White lacquer. The cabinets are oversized and conceal the appliances with finished wood panels. Unique features include a wall of natural leuders veneer stone with a custom floating ventilation system as a main focal point. Complementing the cabinets are countertops of Satin Cambrian black granite and Honed Calcatta Colorado Marble. Custom hewn wood beams and hand scraped flooring warm the rooms feel against the cool gray walls. Designed and constructed by USI in Southlake Tx.

Complete renovation of existing master bathroom. Stock vanity from Ikea (Godmorgon) with custom Caesarstone top and Xylem undermount sinks. Kohler Stance faucets & shower fixtures.

Inspiration for a timeless light wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in DC Metro with white cabinets and an island

You've seen the world, tasted its finest flavors, beheld its proudest splendors. Wanderlust romanced and beauty stayed you. EXPERIENCE THE INTERACTIVE FILM. An Iconic, World-Class Destination Neighbor to the Ritz Carlton and newly built Montage, you're at home with a standard of living consistent with the world's finest resorts. Whether in its days as a private retreat for A-list celebrities or as a home to its discerning designer, Hale Ali'i has always been a generous host. Within the Kapalua resort, your complimentary shuttle drives you and your guests to local restaurants, shops, beaches, and hiking trails. Five-star restaurants, shopping, and world-famous spas call this resort community home. One of America's best surf spots is minutes north while "America's best beach" (Conde Nast Traveler) is a short walk south. The quiet, white sand beach of Oneloa Bay is a single step from your backyard just past the plumeria tree. Inspired Hawaiian Living Tastefully decorated and furnished by world-renowned designer Mary Philpotts, this Hawaiian plantation revival residence accommodates a wide range of tastes – from traditional formal to contemporary casual. Home to a wide range of the world's most coveted woods, luxury finishes, and modern conveniences, the structure is built to exacting standards. From African Sapele Mahogany cabinetry to a myriad of floor-to-ceiling pocket sliding walls, no expense was spared in crafting the finest estate on Maui's coast. Designed according to the timeless principles of feng shui, Hale Ali'i invites nature in, protects on all sides, and honors the elements. Appraised by feng shui expert Kanoe Merino and blessed by Hawaiian native and cultural advisor to the Ritz Carlton, Clifford Nae'ole, this iconic Maui estate brings life, energy, and peace to those who call it home. For Life Abundant In concert with whitewater ocean views, warm fragrant breezes, and the rolling of the Pacific, Hale Ali'i harmonizes luxurious features with a genuine spirit. It's a comfortable place, yet never taken for granted. Each feature, flower, and fauna inspires a spirit of hospitality. Investments in modern conveniences, stately finishes, and ethereal design inspire the life within. An abundant life amongst the world's most magnificent landscape. Designed according to the timeless principles of feng shui, Hale Ali'i invites nature in, protects on all sides, and honors the elements. E Komo Mai, traveler. It's been worth the wait.

Adrienne DeRosa © 2014 Houzz Inc. A massive range setup anchors the open-plan kitchen. All pieces are by Viking, including the commercial-grade vent hood complete with warming lights and shelving. Jennifer and Raymond had found it at an estate sale during the time that they were building their home. They bought it for a song, and years later were shocked when they had it appraised. "This is by far one of the best scores I have ever come across!" Jennifer exclaims. While the openness of the space works perfectly with the couple's lifestyle, there are changes ahead for surfaces and cabinetry. "Because of the color palette in the house, it no longer works with anything else," Jennifer explains. "It's only 14 years old, but time has changed and its time is up!" Range and vent hood: Viking; refrigerator: Sub Zero; cabinetry: Ikea Photo: Adrienne DeRosa © 2014 Houzz

d randolph foulds photography
Inspiration for a timeless medium tone wood floor dining room remodel in DC Metro with green walls

Ciao! This is one of the very first BrickWood Ovens ever built and remains one of our most viewed ovens in our Photo Gallery! Built for a few dollars north of $1000, this beautiful DIY Oven added $5K to the homeowners appraisal. Not bad.. To see more pictures of this oven (and many other wood fired ovens), please visit - BrickWoodOvens.com

Charles Dana
Example of a minimalist entryway design in Orange County

Brian Vanden Brink
Playroom - coastal playroom idea in Boston

Benefits of Plantation Shutters Plantation shutters offer advantages and benefits to homeowners over other window coverings including: • A permanent addition to a house: While they don't add much to the sale price and don't guarantee a return on investment, the curb appeal helps the house sell faster. The permanency of plantation shutters allows them to be included in appraisals. • Versatility: Many have the ability to open only halfway if desired. If you want to let in all the light, plantation shutters swing away from the window to grant an unobstructed view. • Insulation: When all louvers are closed, a good insulating barrier is created, trapping unwanted temperatures and saving you money on your energy bill. • Easy maintenance: With wide louvers, a simple wipe-down is often all that's needed. Vinyl shutters can be taken off their hinges and sprayed off for a major cleaning. • Elegance: The classic, yet modern look conveys a permanency like no other window dressing can. Whether painted or natural wood, they all have a look that says; welcome home. Wood vs. Faux Wood It's not hard to argue that natural wood is more appealing than vinyl or PVC. However, "faux wood," as it's sometimes called, has some advantages: • Price -- Faux wood shutters are often lower in price than real wood. • Weight -- Because some shutters are made "hollow core" (as opposed to vinyl-wrapped medium density fiberboard, MDF), they can be significantly lighter. • Moisture Resistance -- If you live in an area with high humidity, hollow faux wood or aluminum core will resist expanding and sagging. (MDF core louvers will tend to expand and crack as the material swells with moisture.) Natural wood is the choice for those who have a very healthy budget or for whom a specific appearance is a must. Among the advantages are: • Size -- Because wood plantation shutters are made of hardwood, they can be quite a bit larger than plastic or vinyl. Vinyl shutters larger than 29 inches may be prone to sag, so they need divider rails or other supports which can destroy the traditional look of a plantation shutter. • Natural -- While vinyl or plastic shutters can be painted to match any color scheme, the natural shades and finishes of the various species of wood have something for every look. • Classic -- While many plastic shutters can be made to look like real wood, the faux wood finishes can vary significantly depending on manufacturer and model. Up close, it can be easy to tell they're plastic. The warmth of natural wood is a classic feel that's impossible to beat. Popular Plantation Shutter Brands When you go to purchase your plantation shutters, brands names may offer a good representation of high-, mid-, and low-cost range of what's available. Which one you choose depends on your budget and your tastes. Hunter-Douglas and Norman Shutters produce three lines of plantation shutters in both real wood and faux wood styles. A higher-end product, Hunter-Douglas may be worth the cost for beauty and quality of workmanship. The Window Outfitters and Sunland produce a mid-cost line of shutters. The mid-range pricing may be for those who are balancing aesthetics with a budget. National franchise and or box stores may not offer an in-house expert or designer. Look to local companies that specialize in plantation shutters looking online may offer a low-cost brand for budget-minded DIYers. Available in both faux and real wood, the affordability combines with the visual appeal to make this a very popular choice for plantation shutters. Regardless of which line you go with, be sure to ask about frames. Generally all manufactures offer frame choices and may add to the cost, but they add an unsurpassed beauty and warmth to a room with plantation shutters. Plantation shutters look like similar to wooden blinds, but there are significant differences. Blinds are often narrow, made of aluminum or vinyl, and the slats tilt based on a gear and pulley mechanism and they hang in the window with cords. By contrast, plantation shutters have wide compound louvers that fit into a frame and are controlled by way of a wooden rod running up the middle. When not needed, they can be manufactured to swing back onto the wall. Options to are available to build a more contemporary look with a larger view with a “hidden tilt” feature. Cost of Plantation Shutters Nationally, the cost of plantation shutters, depending on their size and the material, whether or not they are custom arches and colors or stains, may vary. Most manufacturers want their shutters to be professionally installed to keep the warranty intact which is a benefit to the customer in the long run. They will usually have a limited lifetime warranty. Cost of Installation Costs for having plantation shutters installed by a contractor are a bit more predictable. Contractors who have installed plantation shutters before can quickly get accurate measurements and suggest which materials would work best in different rooms. For example, while natural wood may look beautiful in your living room, it might not be so practical in a bathroom where moisture will cause the wood to warp. The size, material, and quality of the shutter will have a significant effect on the cost. Contractors usually go through a shutter supplier and can get various sizes that are not normally available at home improvement stores. Hiring a professional team of knowledgeable suppliers and installers is a good choice. Here are some sample prices of the shutters most contractors use for standard-sized windows: In general, plantation shutters should cost approximately $20 to $26 per square foot. Labor costs depend on factors such as the contractor's workload, remoteness of the location, environment, and the contractor's overhead. Labor generally runs about $100 per hour and will be added to the shutter cost. • 16x20 -- Faux wood $120. Real wood $156 • 24x50 -- Faux wood $160. Real wood $208 • 36x54 -- Faux wood $270. Real wood $351 • 36x60 -- Faux wood $300 Real wood $390 • 42x72 -- Faux wood $420. Real wood $546 • 48x82 -- Faux wood $550. Real wood $715 DIY Plantation shutters can be purchased and installed by the homeowners. How much they cost will depend on size and material. Faux wood shutter’s cost depends on size and wooden shutter’s cost will depend on size and whether or not they are painted or stained. • Natural wood is $90-$600 depending on size. Many companies offer standard stained selection but custom color matching may be available from $175 -$250. • Faux wood will be from $120-$500. • Additional tools include: Hang Strips $4-$15 and about $4 for mounting hardware. Locks or closures can cost up to $15 for each shutter. Finally, if you order them online, you can expect to pay $30-$70 shipping per shutter or per set of shutters per window depending on the supplier. Keep in mind that even if you're handy with tools, installing shutters can be time-consuming if you've never done it before there is defiantly a learning curve.

Large zen formal and enclosed living room photo in Nashville with red walls and no tv

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless formal and enclosed medium tone wood floor living room remodel in Orange County with gray walls, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace and no tv

Example of a classic entryway design in Atlanta

Photos by Joshua McHugh
Example of a trendy open concept living room design in New York

Ed Gohlich Photography
Photo of a coastal full sun front yard landscaping in San Diego.

Example of a trendy eat-in kitchen design in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets and stainless steel appliances

The Pratt Island oceanfront home features an in-ground pool with landscaped yard and barbeque area on this backyard of this waterfront home by Robert Cardello Architects

Design: Ryan Jackson Photographs: Casey Dunn
Example of a trendy bedroom design in Austin with beige walls