Additional space at the top of an adjacent closet provided an opportunity to create a home for the family puppy. This arched opening is consistent with the rest of the home and provides a wonderful spot for the dog to survey both floors of the home. John Wilbanks Photography

Stoffer Photography
Example of a transitional galley medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen design in Chicago with white cabinets, gray backsplash, an island and marble backsplash

David Duncan Livingston
Open concept kitchen - transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen idea in San Francisco with glass-front cabinets, gray cabinets, gray backsplash, ceramic backsplash, an island, a farmhouse sink and stainless steel appliances

Concrete can be made to look like any substance. Tile, stone, wood, brick, etc. With unlimited color options, Ky-Kan Coatings can transform any room in your home or business using lightweight, beautiful concrete.

Large tuscan enclosed carpeted home theater photo in Austin with gray walls and a projector screen

We used: Custom cherry cabinetry in Arts & Crafts Shaker style by Kabinart in Boulder and Espresso stains. Liberty Hardware Venetian bronze 1-1/2" cabinet knobs. KitchenAid Architect II Series 22 CF counter-depth French door refrigerator. KitchenAid Architect Series II 27" convection single wall oven. KitchenAid 36" 6-burner dual fuel freestanding commercial-style range. KitchenAid Architect II Series 24" dishwasher. Sharp Insight Pro Series 24" built-in microwave drawer (Model #KB6524PS). Crystorama Solaris 12" wide pendant lights in English bronze. Granite countertops in Brown Fantasy. 3"x6" polished marble backsplash. Paint colors: Walls: Glidden Silver Cloud 30YY 63/024 Ceilings/Trims/Doors: Glidden Swan White GLC23 Robert B. Narod Photography

The formal dining room of Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne as featured in Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic Inspirations book.
Example of a large cottage chic light wood floor enclosed dining room design in Los Angeles with beige walls and a standard fireplace

Small contemporary mixed siding exterior home idea in Houston

Tracy Simas
Inspiration for a timeless powder room remodel in Portland with multicolored walls, a console sink and marble countertops

The flowers of some of the annuals are edible as well: the nasturtiums have a peppery flavor, the marigold petals taste citrusy and although best used as a garnish, the purple pansies are edible too. Pink zinnias and the spent flowers of garlic chives are seen in the foreground…

Luxury Vinyl Planks are a great option for water areas like bathrooms, basements, and kitchens. The technology is advancing so that the product looks and feels like natural products like wood and stone.

Example of a large arts and crafts backyard concrete patio kitchen design in Dallas with a pergola

Monarda didyma / Scarlet Beebalm Photo: wplynn, via Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic

Transitional medium tone wood floor, brown floor and wallpaper entryway photo in DC Metro

There are many different borer insects around the world that come in many different sizes and colors. But one thing they all have in common is the danger they pose to trees. These insects tunnel their way deep into trees and feed on the heartwood. Symptoms of infestation differ depending on the type of borer insect, but you can usually tell by the holes left behind in the bark. You may also notice sap or sawdust gathered around the tree or even sudden discoloration of the leaves. If left untreated, borers can kill the tree. Five Star Tree Services has put together a simple guide that will help you identify infestations so they can be treated ASAP. 4 Common Borer Species We are going to go over four of the most common wood boring insects that attack a wide variety of tree species in a range of climates. Many native borer insects will seek out already sick trees or trees under stress as opposed to strong healthy ones. But, even healthy trees are susceptible to infestation, especially from non-native borers. Locust Borer This type or borer attacks black locust trees; other types of locust trees are not in danger. They can be found in any place that black locust trees grow. Symptoms of an LB infestation are mainly localized swollen areas on the trunk or branches. These areas will look like a full knot. Other common signs are broken branches, thinness along the crown, and holes in the bark accompanied by sawdust. If you happen to see any of these signs, give our team of arborists a call as soon as possible. These borers weaken branches so that they break, which poses an additional hazard to your property and family. Emerald Ash Borer This type of borer usually feeds on ash trees but can also be found in rare cases in other types. They are commonly found in over states in the US but can be found in any location where ash trees grow. Symptoms of an EAB infestation are easy to spot. In the early stages, trees will exhibit cracks along the main branches of the canopy. As the stages progress, these cracks will turn into slits and holes that look like a “D” on the bark. The canopy of the tree will also start to think as the tree progresses towards failure. As soon as you notice any of these signs, you should contact an arborist as soon as possible. Treatment is more effective when applied early on in an infestation. Bronze Birch Borer This species usually attacks grey birch, paper birch, and yellow birch trees. Though they mostly attack stressed or sick trees, but again even healthy birch trees can become infested. River birch thankfully is not susceptible to this particular borer. They are found in any place white bark birch trees grow. Common signs of BBB infestations are winding tunnels along the out layer of the tree bark. They look bumpy or wrinkled. In some cases, you may also notice “D” shaped holes along the bark or leaves they have lost their color. Another common symptom is thinning along the crown and top of the tree. If found early enough, our professional arborists can apply an insecticide treatment and save the tree. Longhorned Beetles This species attacks a wide assortment of trees but tends to only attack those which are under a high amount of stress. They are found all over the world and are not specific to any one area. Common signs that an LB infestation is present is sawdust under the tree, round holes, and discolored leaves. It is important to contact a specialist as soon as you notice any signs of infestation. Quick action is key to slowing and defeating these harmful insects. How We Can Help Infestations can destroy the health of your trees, but with quick action, most can be saved. Five Star Tree Services offers a range of tree care services in Toronto including diagnosis and treatment of borer infestations. Give us a call at (416) 990-3355 to find out more.

The color of the floor has a great blend between the richness of the brown and the coolness of the gray. The tile is next!
Example of a small country kids' yellow tile and ceramic tile vinyl floor drop-in bathtub design with recessed-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, a two-piece toilet, gray walls, a drop-in sink and laminate countertops

One of the few truly American architectural styles, the Craftsman/Prairie style was developed around the turn of the century by a group of Midwestern architects who drew their inspiration from the surrounding landscape. The spacious yet cozy Thompson draws from features from both Craftsman/Prairie and Farmhouse styles for its all-American appeal. The eye-catching exterior includes a distinctive side entrance and stone accents as well as an abundance of windows for both outdoor views and interior rooms bathed in natural light. The floor plan is equally creative. The large floor porch entrance leads into a spacious 2,400-square-foot main floor plan, including a living room with an unusual corner fireplace. Designed for both ease and elegance, it also features a sunroom that takes full advantage of the nearby outdoors, an adjacent private study/retreat and an open plan kitchen and dining area with a handy walk-in pantry filled with convenient storage. Not far away is the private master suite with its own large bathroom and closet, a laundry area and a 800-square-foot, three-car garage. At night, relax in the 1,000-square foot lower level family room or exercise space. When the day is done, head upstairs to the 1,300 square foot upper level, where three cozy bedrooms await, each with its own private bath. Photographer: Ashley Avila Photography Builder: Bouwkamp Builders

The "secret ingredient" in organic container gardens: worm castings with live worms. Red compost worms convert organic nutrients in potting soils into plant-available form, and the last chamber of the worm gut is loaded with beneficial bacteria and fungi that boost plant immunity, cycle nutrients, and increase the water-holding capacity of the potting soil. Photo by Steve Masley.

Before, during and after polished concrete floor in Estacada. Really transforms a garage conversion to living space into an easy care beautiful flooring treatment. Photos: Chris and Kris