Tash Hopkins
Traditional one-story exterior home idea in Auckland

APLD 2021 Silver Award Winning Landscape Design. An expansive back yard landscape with several mature oak trees and a stunning Golden Locust tree has been transformed into a welcoming outdoor retreat. The renovations include a wraparound deck, an expansive travertine natural stone patio, stairways and pathways along with concrete retaining walls and column accents with dramatic planters. The pathways meander throughout the landscape... some with travertine stepping stones and gravel and those below the majestic oaks left natural with fallen leaves. Raised vegetable beds and fruit trees occupy some of the sunniest areas of the landscape. A variety of low-water and low-maintenance plants for both sunny and shady areas include several succulents, grasses, CA natives and other site-appropriate Mediterranean plants complimented by a variety of boulders. Dramatic white pots provide architectural accents, filled with succulents and citrus trees. Design, Photos, Drawings © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

The home’s modest proportions call for appropriate deck treatment. But discreet pops of color hint at an exciting interior. In the same way, the horizontal metal rail fades at distances but up close makes a statement.

To read more about this project, click here or start at the Great Lakes Metal Fabrication metal railing page.

2018 DESIGN OVATION HONORABLE MENTION/ TRADITIONAL LIVING ROOM. Years after a major remodel, this couple contacted the designer as they had for 25 yrs to work with the contractor to create this Living Area Addition. To warm up the room and bring the ceiling down, the designer recommended the use of wood planks on the ceiling, along with 2 large-scale iron chandeliers. The double row of windows brings the outdoors in, providing wonderful daylight. The wall space above the opening to the adjacent Library was the perfect location for canvas panels inspired by the wife’s favorite Japanese artwork and commissioned by the designer with a local artist. The room provides plenty of seating for watching TV, reading or conversation. The open space between the sofa table and library allows room for the client to explore her heritage through Japanese Sword practicing or her Ikebana creations using their landscape. Oriental inspiration was used in the fabrics and accessories throughout. Photos by Michael Hunter

Roger Wade photos
Small craftsman beige one-story stone gable roof idea in Seattle

Photo of a contemporary vegetable garden landscape in Seattle.

This 1927 Spanish Colonial home was in dire need of an upgraded Master bathroom. We completely gut the bathroom and re-framed the floor because the house had settled over time. The client selected hand crafted 3x6 white tile and we installed them over a full mortar bed in a Subway pattern. We reused the original pedestal sink and tub, but had the tub re-glazed. The shower rod is also original, but we had it dipped in Polish Chrome. We added two wall sconces and a store bought medicine cabinet. Photos by Jessica Abler, Los Angeles, CA

A cleaned up pathway with concrete pavers and Mexican pebbles transform this landscape update. To gain more usable space in this narrow landscape and update the hardscaping and overgrown garden, my design reconfigured the pathway with poured-in-place concrete pavers accented by Mexican pebbles and a stunning variety of succulents and other site-appropriate plantings that thrive in shade and part sun. We removed the tree to create a patio area large enough to fit a table and chairs for a small group. Non-invasive/clumping Bamboo was added to help screen the patio and provide privacy. Other shade to part-shade plants were included that provide a variety of textures and colors throughout the seasons. Low-voltage lighting was installed for safety and ambiance. Design and Photos: © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

An LCD TV mounted to a swing-arm hides behind cabinet doors above the Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer. The kitchen island with undermount sink has storage on 2 sides, and a breakfast bar. By removing walls and creating new entry points, a modern kitchen with an era-appropriate look for a home built in 1914 enlivens a family with natural light and plenty of work and gathering places. The Butler’s pantry and kitchen includes a laundry room, dining area, chalkboard column and a swivel-mount TV above the refrigerator. Photo by Toby Weiss for Mosby Building Arts.

Andy Warren Photography
Entryway - traditional brick floor entryway idea in Other with gray walls and a white front door

A beautiful outdoor entertainment area by MorrisDECKS.com
Large elegant backyard deck container garden photo in New York with a roof extension

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless backyard tile patio kitchen remodel in New York with no cover

Sunroom / Patio Ideas - turn the room in your home with the most windows and sunshine into a sunroom, complete with a tropical look and feel by adding appropriate patio accessories like wicker furniture and a tropical looking fan. Potted palms optional! These top down bottom up flat roman shades have a woven wood look and are from Lafayette Interior Fashions - Manh Truc. This Patio - Sunroom Ideas Project looks at some patio ideas and sunroom designs that will include window treatments for sliding glass doors, french doors, roller shades and solar shades. Outdoor curtains, blinds and shades can be made of solar fabric mesh material that will withstand the elements. Windows Dressed Up window treatment store featuring custom blinds, shutters, shades, drapes, curtains, valances and bedding in Denver services the metro area, including Parker, Castle Rock, Boulder, Evergreen, Broomfield, Lakewood, Aurora, Thornton, Centennial, Littleton, Highlands Ranch, Arvada, Golden, Westminster, Lone Tree, Greenwood Village, Wheat Ridge. Come in and talk to a Certified Interior Designer and select from over 3,000 designer fabrics in every color, style, texture and pattern. See more custom window treatment ideas on our website. www.windowsdressedup.com.

The conversion of this iconic American barn into a Writer’s Studio was conceived of as a tranquil retreat with natural light and lush views to stimulate inspiration for both husband and wife. Originally used as a garage with two horse stalls, the existing stick framed structure provided a loft with ideal space and orientation for a secluded studio. Signature barn features were maintained and enhanced such as horizontal siding, trim, large barn doors, cupola, roof overhangs, and framing. New features added to compliment the contextual significance and sustainability aspect of the project were reclaimed lumber from a razed barn used as flooring, driftwood retrieved from the shores of the Hudson River used for trim, and distressing / wearing new wood finishes creating an aged look. Along with the efforts for maintaining the historic character of the barn, modern elements were also incorporated into the design to provide a more current ensemble based on its new use. Elements such a light fixtures, window configurations, plumbing fixtures and appliances were all modernized to appropriately represent the present way of life.

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   The homeowners came to us looking to update the kitchen in their historic 1897 home. The home had gone through an extensive renovation several years earlier that added a master bedroom suite and updates to the front façade. The kitchen however was not part of that update and a prior 1990’s update had left much to be desired. The client is an avid cook, and it was just not very functional for the family. The original kitchen was very choppy and included a large eat in area that took up more than its fair share of the space. On the wish list was a place where the family could comfortably congregate, that was easy and to cook in, that feels lived in and in check with the rest of the home’s décor. They also wanted a space that was not cluttered and dark – a happy, light and airy room. A small powder room off the space also needed some attention so we set out to include that in the remodel as well. See that arch in the neighboring dining room? The homeowner really wanted to make the opening to the dining room an arch to match, so we incorporated that into the design. Another unfortunate eyesore was the state of the ceiling and soffits. Turns out it was just a series of shortcuts from the prior renovation, and we were surprised and delighted that we were easily able to flatten out almost the entire ceiling with a couple of little reworks. Other changes we made were to add new windows that were appropriate to the new design, which included moving the sink window over slightly to give the work zone more breathing room. We also adjusted the height of the windows in what was previously the eat-in area that were too low for a countertop to work. We tried to keep an old island in the plan since it was a well-loved vintage find, but the tradeoff for the function of the new island was not worth it in the end. We hope the old found a new home, perhaps as a potting table. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Mid-sized farmhouse light wood floor great room photo in Charleston with white walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Michelle Derviss
Design ideas for a contemporary landscaping in San Francisco.

Grey Crawford
Large elegant formal and enclosed dark wood floor living room photo in Orange County with a corner fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

Huge minimalist formal and loft-style dark wood floor living room photo in New York with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv