Katherine designed and commissioned the cherry wood dining table supported by industrial steel legs. For comfort, original Bertoia chairs bought at auction, are covered with inexpensive throws from IKEA. An antique church bench was given a plush cushion covered in ultra suede for easy cleaning. Pillows and imported pottery all from Katherine Stern Design. Photo: Ilene Goodman

25 years developing this site has put Gil Schieber on the horticultural registries of important garden designers
Inspiration for a large farmhouse full sun backyard gravel landscaping in Seattle.

This bedroom is sprinkled with exotic flair in every piece of furniture and accessory chosen. The owners wanted an “east meets west” vibe in their master bedroom and they could not have been happier with the results! I chose a four poster bed with turned posts to give the room height and old world aesthetic as a starting point. From there, the other elements fell easily in to place. Deciding to use different sized console tables with different styles instead of traditional nightstands was important in giving the room a more modern feel. I splashed accents of spring green throughout the room to for a fresh and cozy feeling. The sitting area with the two striped chairs is so grand in height and style, while the antique console (in front of the bed) and art work provide an eclectic mix of pieces to finish out the room perfectly. What I love most about this design is that every corner of this room is interesting and beautiful on its own, but together they make for the most elegant, put together space that exudes a Zen feeling as soon as you walk in the door.

The kitchen was expanded in this 1930's home to be more functional for a 21st century growing family. It was important to our client to maintain the charm and the architectural authenticity she loved growing up as a child. One of the more challenging features was rebuilding the beautiful lead glass windows so they would be both historically accurate as well as functional for today's climate extremes. Another challenge was recreating the black and white tile floor. Each tile was custom cut to achieve the desired look. A custom made built-in bench and cushion were made for the breakfast nook, complete with storage drawers beneath.

Example of a trendy dining room design in Miami

This client is an archeologist, can you tell? The light that pours in through the bay windows keeps this room feeling bright even against this eye catching dark sea blue wall. The touches of lavender compliment the blues and give the room a sense of sophistication.

This client is an archeologist, can you tell? The light that pours in through the bay windows keeps this room feeling bright even against this eye catching dark sea blue wall. The touches of lavender compliment the blues and give the room a sense of sophistication.

The kitchen was expanded in this 1930's home to be more functional for a 21st century growing family. It was important to our client to maintain the charm and the architectural authenticity she loved growing up as a child. One of the more challenging features was rebuilding the beautiful lead glass windows so they would be both historically accurate as well as functional for today's climate extremes. Another challenge was recreating the black and white tile floor. Each tile was custom cut to achieve the desired look. A custom made built-in bench and cushion were made for the breakfast nook, complete with storage drawers beneath.

The kitchen was expanded in this 1930's home to be more functional for a 21st century growing family. It was important to our client to maintain the charm and the architectural authenticity she loved growing up as a child. One of the more challenging features was rebuilding the beautiful lead glass windows so they would be both historically accurate as well as functional for today's climate extremes. Another challenge was recreating the black and white tile floor. Each tile was custom cut to achieve the desired look. A custom made built-in bench and cushion were made for the breakfast nook, complete with storage drawers beneath.

In this project the home owner was a furniture importer, so she had an amazing array of decorative elements to add to the design. After spending years traveling through Indonesia and India on buying trips, she wanted a taste of the tropics in her own back yard. We worked together to incorporate her beautiful objects into an undeniably tropical-feeling space. By carefully selecting plants and their placement, we were able to achieve the lush green feel of Bali or Hawaii in the Southern California climate without using a lot of water. After installation, this oasis is alive with birds and dragonflies. Lush green plantings create microclimates around the house that help cool the property on hot days. Integrating edible trees provides the homeowner with pomegranates, several types of guavas, lemons, limes, and bananas. Today, the homeowner rents out her home and garden for photo shoots and weddings.

This client is an archeologist, can you tell? The light that pours in through the bay windows keeps this room feeling bright even against this eye catching dark sea blue wall. The touches of lavender compliment the blues and give the room a sense of sophistication.

The kitchen was expanded in this 1930's home to be more functional for a 21st century growing family. It was important to our client to maintain the charm and the architectural authenticity she loved growing up as a child. One of the more challenging features was rebuilding the beautiful lead glass windows so they would be both historically accurate as well as functional for today's climate extremes. Another challenge was recreating the black and white tile floor. Each tile was custom cut to achieve the desired look. A custom made built-in bench and cushion were made for the breakfast nook, complete with storage drawers beneath.

The kitchen was expanded in this 1930's home to be more functional for a 21st century growing family. It was important to our client to maintain the charm and the architectural authenticity she loved growing up as a child. One of the more challenging features was rebuilding the beautiful lead glass windows so they would be both historically accurate as well as functional for today's climate extremes. Another challenge was recreating the black and white tile floor. Each tile was custom cut to achieve the desired look. A custom made built-in bench and cushion were made for the breakfast nook, complete with storage drawers beneath.

I love this style of futon with the curved Asian zen style arm rests. The futon mattress that is being used is a pre upholstered spring coil with an accent duvet drooping over the back cushion. Unfortunately, there is a some important pieces of decor that would really bring this room together. A small accent rug is and small coffee table is needed in front of the futon as well as a nice pice of artwork above the frame on that bare wall.

Japanese Imported Clay tile roof. Zinc flashing. Custom made zinc louvers. Zinc gutters.

Dining is more important to these homeowners than the need for a full living room. This sitting room nook provides a comfy chat or reading space away from the activity of the kitchen, while giving most of the space to the dining room.

This master bathroom has no door to the main area. It is entered through a wide opening off the master bedroom. As the homeowners had teenage children who were frequently in and out of the space, privacy in the shower was of primary importance in the redesign of the space. The solution was to use a sheet of Lumicor with dried material in it and teak to make a opaque shower door. The organic elements in the door and shades contribute to a zen feeling in the space. The use of a single ribbed tile throughout keeps the design simple. The counter top is concrete with inlaid fossils. Karin Lechner

A modern home with an eclectic mix My clients in this space were divided. They were split by competing aesthetics. There were Vietnamese art pieces with modern motifs and bold colours mixed with hand-crafted rustic tables and antique Canadiana. I quickly identified a lack of cohesion and an uncomfortable conversation area as the primary issues that were causing my clients stress. A change was in order. We partitioned their large connected dining room, living and entryway areas using the existing furniture and floor covering. We were able to create several distinct and cohesive areas that each brought out the best of their contents. Each grouping now seemed natural and harmonious. Smooth international contemporary style and rustic heritage pieces now coexisted in the same space without causing my clients decorating headaches. To organize future projects and to summarize personalized decorating tips, Redecorating Vancouver provided them with a written Design Plan at the conclusion of the consultation. Family is important to me. I recognize that items in my clients' homes have unseen significance. In this instance, I was able to gather items to create a grand-parents nook to honour the couple's family. We took advantage of an heirloom antique radio that belonged to the client's grandfather and a meaningful handmade table. It is both pleasing to the eye and a daily reminder to the couple of who really matters in a home: the family that lives in it.

Most trees have leaves that will change colours every time the seasons change. This means that you may see changes three to four times a year depending on where you live. However, they will typically retain some measure of green colouring on their leaves until fall rolls around. During the fall season, trees explode with bright reds, oranges, and vibrant yellows. This is a natural part of their growth and hibernation process. However, if you see these colours in the offseason, it may be a sign that there is a problem. Below, Five Star Tree Services discusses why your leaves may be yellow during the summer and what you can do about it. Should Leaves Turn Yellow in the Summer? If your trees have yellow leaves in the summer, it is a sign that it is suffering from disease, or having a problem with its growth cycle. Having your trees inspected periodically by a trained professional will help you catch problems early. If your trees already have yellow leaves in the offseason, they can identify the cause and suggest a solution. When diagnosed early, suggested treatments can help save the tree. Keep reading for some common causes of yellowing leaves. Improper Watering One of the most common reasons trees start to develop yellow leaves in the summer is due to dehydration. Checking the soil moisture levels will help determine if your trees are getting enough water. Hydration is important all year long, but especially crucial during the hot summer months. If there are dry areas around your tree trunk, it is a good idea to partake in deep root watering to help keep your trees healthy and well-watered. Make sure that you don’t overwater your trees because flooding their roots can also be unhealthy. Lacking Nutrition Just like people, trees need to get the right blend of nutrients in order to remain healthy. If your tree has yellow leaves in the summer and is also getting enough water, chances are it is not getting the nutrients it needs from the soil. If soil testing shows low levels of nutrients, it is a good idea to schedule a deep root fertilization treatment to adjust the levels. In many instances, correcting the soil will help you save the tree. Insect or Pest Infestation Yellow summer leaves are also a sign that a tree has been infested with pests. Some pest is only active in the summer. Some of the most common are: Emerald Ash Borer Asian Long-Horned Beetle Yellownecked Caterpillar Ash Flower Gall Bronze Birch Borer Apple-and-Thorn Skeletonizer Eastern Tent Caterpillar Birch Leafminer Fall Webworm Gypsy Moth And many others The first thing you should do is call an arborist to have the tree inspected. They will be able to identify the root of the problem and formulate a solution to treat the pest infestation. This will help you get rid of the bugs once and for all and save your tree in the process. How We Can Help If you have noticed that one of your trees have begun to develop yellow leaves, give Five Star Tree Services a call as soon as possible. We have been providing tree care services in Toronto for over 10 years. Our skilled arborist would be more than happy to evaluate your tree and suggest a solution to treat the problem, so don’t wait. Contact us at (416) 990-3355 today!