Lifestyle blogger mom extraordinaire Joy Cho tackles a custom kitchen project with our team lead by Project Manager Ran. See Oh Joy's Blog article: http://ohjoy.blogs.com/my_weblog/2017/05/the-oh-joy-studio-kitchen-before.html After: http://ohjoy.blogs.com/my_weblog/2017/09/the-oh-joy-studio-kitchen-reveal.html Photographer: Monica Wang Designer: Sarah Sherman Samuel Oh Joy Kitchen "Joy Cho, has also authored three books and consulted for hundreds of creative businesses around the world. She has been a keynote speaker at Alt Summit, IDS West, Pinterest HQ, Target HQ, and more..."- Oh Joy currently has a collection at Target stores throughout the US For Joy's project, she used custom tiles designed by her!

Tropical Gardenia fragrance on a cold hardy, easy care plant. Jubilation flowers from spring through fall with masses of white blooms. Plant near patios, porches, decks, and other outdoor living areas where the fragrance can be enjoyed. Features Feature/Bloom White flowers in spring, reblooming summer to fall Evergreen or Deciduous evergreen USDA Zones Hardy to 0°F USDA 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Sunset Zones 7-9, 12-16, 18-24 Special Features Fall blooming, reblooming, dwarf, attracts birds/butterflies, aromatic Landscape Use Accent, container, mass planting, slope, hedge Exposure Full sun to part shade Bloom Season Spring, summer, fall Dimension 3-4 ft H x 3-4 ft W Growth Rate Moderate to fast Plant Type evergreen About the Collection Brought to you by the authority on Western gardening, the Sunset Western Garden Collection is an exclusive plant collection of top performing plants for the Western Gardener.

Lifestyle blogger mom extraordinaire Joy Cho tackles a custom kitchen project with our team lead by Project Manager Ran. See Oh Joy's Blog article: http://ohjoy.blogs.com/my_weblog/2017/05/the-oh-joy-studio-kitchen-before.html After: http://ohjoy.blogs.com/my_weblog/2017/09/the-oh-joy-studio-kitchen-reveal.html Photographer: Monica Wang Designer: Sarah Sherman Samuel Oh Joy Kitchen "Joy Cho, has also authored three books and consulted for hundreds of creative businesses around the world. She has been a keynote speaker at Alt Summit, IDS West, Pinterest HQ, Target HQ, and more..."- Oh Joy currently has a collection at Target stores throughout the US For Joy's project, she used custom tiles designed by her!

Example of a mid-sized transitional freestanding desk dark wood floor and brown floor study room design in New York with beige walls and no fireplace

Lifestyle blogger mom extraordinaire Joy Cho tackles a custom kitchen project with our team lead by Project Manager Ran. See Oh Joy's Blog article: http://ohjoy.blogs.com/my_weblog/2017/05/the-oh-joy-studio-kitchen-before.html After: http://ohjoy.blogs.com/my_weblog/2017/09/the-oh-joy-studio-kitchen-reveal.html Photographer: Monica Wang Designer: Sarah Sherman Samuel Oh Joy Kitchen "Joy Cho, has also authored three books and consulted for hundreds of creative businesses around the world. She has been a keynote speaker at Alt Summit, IDS West, Pinterest HQ, Target HQ, and more..."- Oh Joy currently has a collection at Target stores throughout the US For Joy's project, she used custom tiles designed by her!

This article is posted here with the consent of the author. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, view, or opinion of Crestron Electronics, Inc., or of any of its employees. Crestron Electronics is not responsible for, and does not verify the accuracy of, any of the information contained in this article. By Jeff Singer The “smart” revolution began several years ago with smartphones (a.k.a phones) and has extended in recent years to thermostats, doorbells, alarm systems, and kitchen appliances. Smart devices are so ubiquitous that the term “smart” is overused to the point that it is almost meaningless. Companies are eager to jump on the bandwagon and claim their products are “smart,” and consumers proudly claim they have a smart home because they have lighting control. Misconceptions about smart homes are prevalent and create confusion in the marketplace. This can have deleterious effects on businesses and underserve consumers. Here are seven of the most popular misconceptions about smart homes: 1. Apps are smart Apps are convenient and easy to use. Yes, it seems there’s an app for everything. People expect to be able to download an app and do just about anything. App developers and many companies do not disavow consumers of this myth. On the contrary, they promote this idea with carefully worded descriptions. The promise of having the world at your fingertips for $1.99 is very enticing. Although it sounds too good to be true, it is also too good to pass up for many people. This leads to undervaluing home control and disappointment when the apps don’t work, which undermines confidence in our industry. The fact is that apps are not smart. They do not control anything. They must connect to and communicate with a control system or cloud service that processes, prioritizes, and executes commands. That’s the real magic and what most people do not understand. 2. Smart devices work together With so many smart appliances and devices on the market today, it’s understandable that the average consumer might think that they actually communicate and work together. This is simply not the case. Smart devices are not that smart. They are designed and manufactured by different, often competing, companies. There are no national or industry standards governing these products. Even if they all operate using Wi-Fi® communications, that doesn’t mean they work together. Some companies promote a home control platform, which unites different devices from different companies – in theory. The platform is yet another third-party software totally dependent on other companies developing APIs and writing control modules for their hardware to run on that piece of software. The devices are not independently compatible. Also, when updates are made to either the hardware or the software, functionality may be affected for some period. That’s a nice way of saying the device or system won’t work and there’s no way of knowing for how long. 3. It’s a DIY project Which brings us to the next myth, which is that the average person can do it themselves. Unless you are a skilled professional, I would not advise taking on a smart home project. You want to make a light turn on and off with your Alexa® or Google Assistant™ virtual assistant software, go for it. A smart home takes much more planning and expertise. I have no problem changing a light bulb or hanging a light fixture in my dining room; however, I am not going to rewire my house. I may change the flush valve in my toilet, but I’m not going to replace the pipes in my house. You get it. Integrating devices and systems, establishing different zones, creating scenes, designing the UI with a balance between control, feedback, and simplicity – all takes experience and skill. 4. Need a programmer to make changes Early adopters may have experienced the pain of trying to make a simple change or update to their home control system. Years ago, if the cable provider changed the channel line-up, the homeowner would have to call the dealer or programmer to make an appointment for them to come out to the house to reprogram the system. The system wouldn’t work as expected until it was updated, which often took several days and beaucoup bucks. Not anymore. Technology has evolved so now it’s easy for system owners to change favorite channels, create scenes, rename buttons, update images, and more. While a professional is needed for the initial installation and setup, the system is easy to manage once it’s up and running. This makes life so much easier for both dealer and customer. 5. Tech becomes obsolete quickly Similar to updating the UI, updating firmware or hardware used to be a stressful process. A smart home should be intelligent enough to update itself. Apps don’t become obsolete. Updates are constantly pushed out from the cloud, making them better all the time. The same is true for a good smart home system. New features, functions, and device support gets added in the background consistently, so the system you installed (or purchased) yesterday gets better over time. Swapping out decorative elements, such as keypads, dimmers, and touch screens is also seamless. When a new device is added, all the settings are pulled down from the cloud and it just works. No system interruptions. No sunk costs. No imposing house calls. No surprise bills. 6. Lighting control saves energy and money Lighting control is one of the most popular smart systems, but it takes more than just one system to make a home smart. On the surface, it makes sense that if you dim the lights ten percent, then you save ten percent of energy costs. If the shades are raised during the day to take advantage of sunlight so the lights don’t need to be on (or at least not 100%), but that causes the room temperature to rise a few degrees, which triggers the air conditioner to run longer and more often, was energy usage (or cost) reduced? A smart home integrates all the various systems and technology to optimize comfort, convenience, safety, and sometimes energy. 7. Home technology is easy to hack Security is at the forefront of people’s minds these days. Personal identities are stolen; email accounts hacked; private photos publicized; and more. A smart home must outsmart those who don’t respect privacy. Crestron control systems adhere to the strictest security standards. The same Crestron control system that goes into a home is also installed in secure government and military facilities, global banking institutions, hospitals, and other mission critical applications. When installed correctly by a trained professional, a Crestron smart home is the gold standard for security, comfort, and convenience.

The interior design - is not easy thing. Let us take one of the key, the key secret of building interior composition - the harmonious arrangement of the living space, where everything interacts: furniture, crockery, plants, decorative fabrics and so on. All things that are selected and by which life is organized, have some sort of form. For example, the cabinet can be quite simple, in the form of a cube or a prism. Snack bar, usually consists of several parts: top, bottom, interconnecting elements (drawers, doors – this form is much more complicated. Because the buffet, as well as a bedside table, consists of two simple parts, is also similar to the prism. Two different object, but the same shape, made of the same material, the same decoration can be described as the objects of the same type. They go well together, they share a common line. Therefore, in the selection of items it is very important to determine the main form and line, the contours of objects. It is necessary to look in a furniture (bedroom or dining room), and many things will become clear. They have a common shape, they are of the same material: design of furniture is well and carefully considered. Now you have to choose the other items. Here, first should pay attention to line and shape, decor, whether there are panels, inlays, whether the object is decorated with carved or painted. Very often objects may be the same shape, but very differently decorated, whereby they are not combined with each other. You can adhere to the following principles. First option is to select all items of one and the same form with the same decoration, the same color of the same material (set). Second variant is to buy objects of the same shape but of different materials. It should focus on the items of the same decor, not to get involved in a variety of materials. For example, it will be wooden and wicker furniture, ceramic vases and lamps. Third option assumes the preferring objects of different shapes, but the same material. For example, a sofa and armchairs round, coffee table and TV stand - rectangular, lamps and floor vase - a complex shape with a wavy contour, and the material is the same everywhere - wood and glass. The fourth option is to undertake various forms of objects made of different materials - a combination difficult, but possible (it depends on the development of your taste). The main thing in all tips is to adhere to the magic number 3. It means to keep in mind that the room is acceptable not more than three kinds of shapes of objects, such as rectangle, oval, cone. In addition, no more than three decorative materials: ceramic, plaster, marble or wood, leather, brass and so on. About the Author: Vivien Smith is a blogger at custom essay writing service. She writes the articles about the design secrets of the interior.

Lifestyle blogger mom extraordinaire Joy Cho tackles a custom kitchen project with our team lead by Project Manager Ran. See Oh Joy's Blog article: http://ohjoy.blogs.com/my_weblog/2017/05/the-oh-joy-studio-kitchen-before.html After: http://ohjoy.blogs.com/my_weblog/2017/09/the-oh-joy-studio-kitchen-reveal.html Photographer: Monica Wang Designer: Sarah Sherman Samuel Oh Joy Kitchen "Joy Cho, has also authored three books and consulted for hundreds of creative businesses around the world. She has been a keynote speaker at Alt Summit, IDS West, Pinterest HQ, Target HQ, and more..."- Oh Joy currently has a collection at Target stores throughout the US For Joy's project, she used custom tiles designed by her!

Master Bedroom with Red Bed Frame and custom drapery and bedding.
Bedroom - traditional master light wood floor bedroom idea in Charlotte

Photo: Margot Hartford © 2016 Houzz
Bedroom - bedroom idea in San Francisco

Powder room with glam geometric wallpaper complimented with a vessel sink rustic vanity with riveted hardware. Counter top is quartz Viatera - Truffle. Mirror framed wall mirror. Ryan Hainey

Small elegant gray one-story mixed siding gable roof photo in Charleston

Upgraded countertops are one of the most valuable assets you can have in your home. Granite remains the favorite choice for kitchens and bathrooms, and the benefits it offers are abundant. Not only do granite countertops invite daily enjoyment and utility, they can also increase the value and desirability of your home, and give you a higher return on investment (ROI) than many other remodeling projects. Return On Investment Remodeling Magazines Cost vs. Value Report, which provides an annual look at individual remodeling projects and their ROI, reported that a minor kitchen remodel returns 79.3 percent ROI. Countertops are a key element of the remodel, along with items such as cabinets, appliances, and flooring. Upgrading bathroom countertops to granite has a similar impact, with a 70 percent ROI on a minor bathroom renovation. The ROI is an important factor for those looking to renovate because it presumes an easier home sale at a higher home price. "Granite or marble countertops will make a home more appealing to buyers than will older countertops made from materials like laminate or wood," said the New York Times. Easier To Maintain Granite countertops are also easier to maintain than many others, which can help indecisive remodelers make a choice. "Marble is softer and more porous than the nearly indestructible granite, and so it can etch (scratch) and stain in a way that granite usually won't," said the kitchen. Quartz is considered among the easiest surfaces to take care of and is also a growing trend; add a glass mosaic tile backsplash to create a fancy and functional kitchen. Looking to express your more modern side? Try a recycled glass countertop to create a showstopping kitchen that is also friendly to the Earth. A Better Alternative Cabinet Refacing: The Smart, Financially Sound Choice Brand new cabinets are something most of us would love to add to our home. But when we see the cost, those cabinets are often off the table. New cabinets cost thousands of dollars at a minimum and can rise to numbers rivaling a luxury car. Refacing costs a fraction of the cost of new cabinets while providing a fresh new look to your space. New cabinets can be budget busters "Most cabinets range from $500 to $1,500 per cabinet box," said Better Homes and Gardens. "Based on an estimated 30 cabinets in an average-size kitchen, you can be looking at a cost of about $15,000-$45,000." If you're planning a small or midsize renovation, that could eat up your whole budget. Refacing instead of replacing can save you money and time, allowing you to use those funds in another area or simply lowering your renovation cost. "Fans of refacing say this mini-makeover can give a kitchen a whole new look at a much lower cost than installing all-new cabinets," said HGTV. "Cabinet refacing can save up to 50 percent compared to the cost of replacing. Jaymi Naciri is the award-winning author of hundreds of original articles focused on real estate, interior design, and home improvement. Granite Kitchen & Bathroom Countertops at Granite Transformations Ventura provides products made from engineered stone, quartz & recycled Glass Photo Provided by Granite Transformations Corporate

RedHanded Photography
Example of a transitional home office design in Vancouver

Governor's House Entry by Lisa Tharp. 2019 Bulfinch Award - Interior Design. Photo by Michael J. Lee
Transitional painted wood floor foyer photo with white walls and a black front door

Collaboration with Canonbury Homes and Frank Neely Design Associates.
Inspiration for a timeless open concept kitchen remodel in Atlanta with beaded inset cabinets and two islands

Gorgeous master bath finished with Dal-Tile's Fabrique porcelain tile in the color Noir Linen polished. Tile size is 12"x24" installed in a brick joint pattern. The floor boasts underfloor heating on a timed thermostat.

Great spacious bathroom with lot of amenities. Photographer: Jon Upson
Large elegant master beige tile and porcelain tile drop-in bathtub photo in San Diego with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, beige walls and a two-piece toilet