Inspiration for a pool remodel in Orange County

This gorgeous warm kitchen is so inviting with its maple stained cabinets and Taj Mahal countertops with full backsplash and waterfall at the island. We extended the upper cabinets and put in bronze glass fronts, floor to ceiling pantry cabinets in butler's pantry, under cabinet lighting, power bars, trash pullout, base cabinet rollouts, tray dividers, and a lazy susan. We added a cabinet above the refrigerator with lift hinges, a Tiered Liquor Pullout at the dry bar, Subzero and Wolf Appliances, a beautiful Custom Metal Hood, Custom door panels for dishwasher, and Custom door panels on backside of island.

his Lacava Product Features: Finish: Brushed Nickel Electronic Deck-mounted Touch-free Soap Dispenser Bottle Kit. AC-DC Input Voltage: 120V. Power Supply Options: AC - Transformer with a Plug to Electricity and/or DC - Battery Pack for 4 x D Alkaline Batteries (Batteries Not Included) - on Average Lasts for 75,000 use Cycles. Plastic Refillable Bottle with 0.5 gal (1.9 L) Capacity. Liquid Soap Viscosity: 1000-3500 cps (mpA-s). Sensing Distance by Default: 4” (10cm). Sensing Range: 4”-10” (10cm - 25cm) Adjustable. with a Screwdriver on the Backside of the Sensor. Complements the Zoom Collection. Installation: Deck-Mount 1-Hole, Touch-free. Material: Solid Brass Construction Spout. Soap Volume Discharge: 0.07 oz (2mL)/level (4 levels). Accessories Included: Power Adapter, Soap Bottle, All Supply Lines and Battery Box. Spout: 3 3/8" Height: 4 1/8" Images are for Sample Purposes Only, Please Refer to Model and Description for Actual Finish

This open concept Living Room was extremely long, so we design a bar area to be a feature off of the kitchen. This the perfect entertaining unit which is central to the kitchen, living room and dining room! The backside bar is asymmetrical with the tiled backsplash being a feature spanning to the floor. The counter top above the wine fridge serves as a pass through counter to serve and place platters off of the dining room. Builder: Hasler Homes

Looking from the dining room side of the glass pass-through, one can see how the two colors of glass were integrated. Putting the orange glass directly on the backside of the red glass, eliminates the potential distraction of looking at the dark back of the back-painted glass in the opening. Photo: Warren Smith, CMKBD

Completed in 2020, this impressive luxury estate was went through a complete renovation of the house and the entire property and gardens. This expansive estate creates a private oasis and retreat in the middle of Dallas. The estate includes a private lake with fountain features and stocked with fish, impressive entry gates, an expansive new driveway and front motor court arrival area, grand steps, stone retaining walls and a meandering path that wraps around the lake and offers a wonderful walking experience around the property. The gardens are spectacular and feature a variety of blooming shrubs, perennials and flowers to create a year round experience of color and texture for the owners. The perimeter of the property features mature privacy hedges and trees strategically placed to enhance the views from the house, while still providing glimpses into the property for the neighborhood. The existing swimming pool was completely renovated to create a tanning shelf for chaise lounges as well as a decorative tile, new plaster and canon fountain jets along the side to provide additional interest. The pool terrace, walkways and all exterior patios feature a beautiful limestone material that dresses up the outside living areas. Adjacent to the pool, the existing cabana structure was redone to create an outdoor kitchen and bar seating for friends and family. The wrap around porches on the backside of the house create inviting spaces for entertaining and offer incredible vistas overlooking the gardens and lake. In addition to the expansive garden areas, we planted dozens of mature and specimen trees throughout the property to help provide an instant impact and to also provide the garden another layer of beauty in the fall with the various fall colors offered by the tree selections. Along side the lake, we created multiple seating areas that offer the owners the opportunity to entertain and enjoy the property from many different angles and at different times of day. A large fire pit terrace was also included beside the lake creating a spectacular experience of water and fire. We also created recreation areas on the property for kids and adults alike. There is a dedicated playground areas with a large swing set for the kids as well as a new putting and chipping green to practice your short game.

This private residence and backyard retreat in Dallas, Texas features an expansive natural pool and water feature with the addition of a new outdoor pool pavilion for outdoor entertaining. This new pavilion features detailed wood columns, a slate roof, stone fireplace, Big Ass fan, built-in seat benches and an outdoor shower on the backside. Lush landscaping and a personal putting green are also additional amenities provided to this outdoor space.

Mark Ehlen
Family room - transitional medium tone wood floor family room idea in Minneapolis with white walls and a standard fireplace

Cramped kitchen be gone! That was the project motto and top priority. The goal was to transform the current layout from multiple smaller spaces into a connected whole that would activate the main level for our clients, a young family of four. The biggest obstacle was the wall dividing the kitchen and the dining room. Removing this wall was central to opening up and integrating the main living spaces, but the existing ductwork that ran right through the center of the wall posed a design challenge, er design opportunity. The resulting design solution features a central pantry that captures the ductwork and provides valuable storage- especially when compared to the original kitchen's 18" wide pantry cabinet. The pantry also anchors the kitchen island and serves as a visual separation of space between the kitchen and homework area. Through our design development process, we learned the formal living room was of no service to their lifestyle and therefore space they rarely spent time in. With that in mind, we proposed to eliminate the unused living room and make it the new dining room. Relocating the dining room to this space inherently felt right given the soaring ceiling and ample room for holiday dinners and celebrations. The new dining room was spacious enough for us to incorporate a conversational seating area in the warm, south-facing window alcove. Now what to do with the old dining room?! To answer that question we took inspiration from our clients' shared profession in education and developed a craft area/homework station for both of their boys. The semi-custom cabinetry of the desk area carries over to the adjacent wall and forms window bench base with storage that we topped with butcher block for a touch of warmth. While the boys are young, the bench drawers are the perfect place for a stash of toys close to the kitchen. The kitchen begins just beyond the window seat with their refrigerator enclosure. Opposite the refrigerator is the new pantry with twenty linear feet of shelving and space for brooms and a stick vacuum. Extending from the backside of the pantry the kitchen island design incorporates counter seating on the family room side and a cabinetry configuration on the kitchen side with drawer storage, a trashcan center, farmhouse sink, and dishwasher. We took careful time in design and execution to align the range and sink because while it might seem like a small detail, it plays an important role in supporting the symmetrical configuration of the back wall of the kitchen. The rear wall design utilizes an appliance garage mirrors the visual impact of the refrigerator enclosure and helps keep the now open kitchen tidy. Between the appliance garage and refrigerator enclosure is the cooking zone with 30" of cabinetry and work surface on either side of the range, a chimney style vent hood, and a bold graphic tile backsplash. The backsplash is just one of many personal touches we added to the space to reflect our client's modern eclectic style and love of color. Swooping lines of the mid-mod style barstools compliment the pendants and backsplash pattern. A pop of vibrant green on the frame of the pantry door adds a fresh wash of color to an otherwise neutral space. The big show stopper is the custom charcoal gray and copper chevron wall installation in the dining room. This was an idea our clients softly suggested, and we excitedly embraced the opportunity. It is also a kickass solution to the head-scratching design dilemma of how to fill a large and lofty wall. We are so grateful to bring this design to life for our clients and now dear friends.

Natural Stone outdoor Living Area This Natural Stone Outdoor living Area features tons of amazing natural stone work throughout the project. The installation features a natural stone pool deck, broken flagstone paths, entrance patio at pool house, and natural stone waterfall at pool. Pool deck, patio, and paths are constructed using full color irregular PA flagstone. Joints in flagstone patio were filled with Unilock ‘EZPro’ joint material. Spaces between stones in path have lawn installed. An additional broken flagstone patio area in back of home was also installed. Pool Waterfall The Pool Waterfall is constructed using Semco ‘Weathered Limestone’ with stone outcroppings and boulders placed in areas surrounding waterfall and back side of pool for more natural appearance. Landscaping was installed around the backside of the waterfalls to further naturalize the apperance and disguise the pool equipment. Front Stone Walkway Flagstone walkways and steps were installed in multiple areas around the home. The Main entrance to the home features a long spaced flagstone walkway with natural stone natural stone steps and landing area. Two separate side entrance’s to the home are also complete with natural stone steps and landing areas. Landing and step risers were finished with matching stucco. Cobblestone Walkways and Driveway Accents Other paths around the house are bordered with gray Belgium block cobble stone, lined with 3/8″ decorative pebble, with stone base and separation material beneath. Two belgium block driveway bands as well as linear belgium block driveway curbing along the flower bed edges at the driveway were installed in the front of the home. Landscape Lighting Also included in this project is the installation of the low voltage LED landscape lighting system. The Coastal Source system with vintage brass finish included path lights, uplights, and niche lights. Landscaping Landscape beds, plants and trees, and pine needle mulch were installed through out the property. There was also a significant amount of regrading and seeding done. Water retention Basins Two large underground water retention basins were installed on separate sides of the the property. These basins will house the majority of the run off from the entire roof area and allow it to percolate back in to the soil. see more amazing projects: https://cepontzsons.com

A nice collection of Sage & Salvia to compliment this gorgeous pool!! Thermory wood deck off backside of the pool
Photo of an eclectic full sun backyard landscaping in Houston for summer.

Redesigned and rebuilt this 1960's home in Scottsdale, Arizona. This new kitchen features two-toned cabinets - crisp white shaker cabinets on the perimeter and the island is a warmer timber tone cabinet with some shiplap on the backside with leg columns extending to provide seating at the island. The quartz countertop is white with soft warm veining, and the backsplash is perfectly imperfect with a 5x5 tiled to the ceiling. We've added wood banding to the hood and floating shelves to complement the island cabinets. The flooring is a wood look porcelain tile. Fun pendant lighting, two toned cabinet hardware on the two-toned cabinets, using matte black and champagne bronze. The walk-in pantry offers additional storage and a beverage center with open shelving above. The laundry room is also conveniently accessible in the pantry with a fun deco tile bringing the space together!

Engineered quartz countertops in "Pegasus" by Arizona Tile Della Terra Quartz. Bosch dishwasher with pocket handle and Sharp micro-drawer hidden on the backside of the island. Cabinetry by Urban Effects out of Winnipeg, Canada - Peimeter in Mission White and Sherwin Williams' #7024 "Functional Grey" on the island

Antique indigo blue Batik accent pillows with fringe. Custom-made by Full Bloom Cottage, the fronts of the pillows are in an antique Batik fabric with original fringe edge we salvaged from the throw, very soft and nubby, the backside are finished in a thick natural French linen, with hidden zipper closure. These materials are vintage / antique, pre washed then sewn in our studios. Size 22 x 22, Includes down/feather insert.

Closeup of the gorgeous tarnished brass hardware used throughout the kitchen. We custom made all of the kitchen cabinetry and shelving. The kitchen was a small area so maximizing usable space with function and design was crucial. The island was our biggest challenge. It needed to house several appliances of different size, a farmhouse sink and be able to have function from all 4 sides and still have room for seating space on the backside. The sink side has the farmhouse sink centered with storage drawers to the right that feature wood organizers and a double middle drawer to help hold all the small utensils and still maintain the 3 drawer look from the front view that matches the integrated dishwasher to the left. The right side contains both the integrated soft close trash unit and an icemaker with a third false panel door to maintain the size balance for all three. The back of the island has storage tucked up under the seating space. The quartz countertop meets up against the maple butcher block to create a stunning island top. All in all the end result of this kitchen is a beautiful space with wonderful function. Photos: Kimball Ungerman

Redesigned and rebuilt this 1960's home in Scottsdale, Arizona. This new kitchen features two-toned cabinets - crisp white shaker cabinets on the perimeter and the island is a warmer timber tone cabinet with some shiplap on the backside with leg columns extending to provide seating at the island. The quartz countertop is white with soft warm veining, and the backsplash is perfectly imperfect with a 5x5 tiled to the ceiling. We've added wood banding to the hood and floating shelves to complement the island cabinets. The flooring is a wood look porcelain tile. Fun pendant lighting, two toned cabinet hardware on the two-toned cabinets, using matte black and champagne bronze. The walk-in pantry offers additional storage and a beverage center with open shelving above. The laundry room is also conveniently accessible in the pantry with a fun deco tile bringing the space together!

View of backside of fence from neighbor's yard. Lower retaining wall took care of grade changes and allowed for clean transition to horizontal fencing without any small pieces at the bottom of the fence.

Natural Stone outdoor Living Area This Natural Stone Outdoor living Area features tons of amazing natural stone work throughout the project. The installation features a natural stone pool deck, broken flagstone paths, entrance patio at pool house, and natural stone waterfall at pool. Pool deck, patio, and paths are constructed using full color irregular PA flagstone. Joints in flagstone patio were filled with Unilock ‘EZPro’ joint material. Spaces between stones in path have lawn installed. An additional broken flagstone patio area in back of home was also installed. Pool Waterfall The Pool Waterfall is constructed using Semco ‘Weathered Limestone’ with stone outcroppings and boulders placed in areas surrounding waterfall and back side of pool for more natural appearance. Landscaping was installed around the backside of the waterfalls to further naturalize the apperance and disguise the pool equipment. Front Stone Walkway Flagstone walkways and steps were installed in multiple areas around the home. The Main entrance to the home features a long spaced flagstone walkway with natural stone natural stone steps and landing area. Two separate side entrance’s to the home are also complete with natural stone steps and landing areas. Landing and step risers were finished with matching stucco. Cobblestone Walkways and Driveway Accents Other paths around the house are bordered with gray Belgium block cobble stone, lined with 3/8″ decorative pebble, with stone base and separation material beneath. Two belgium block driveway bands as well as linear belgium block driveway curbing along the flower bed edges at the driveway were installed in the front of the home. Landscape Lighting Also included in this project is the installation of the low voltage LED landscape lighting system. The Coastal Source system with vintage brass finish included path lights, uplights, and niche lights. Landscaping Landscape beds, plants and trees, and pine needle mulch were installed through out the property. There was also a significant amount of regrading and seeding done. Water retention Basins Two large underground water retention basins were installed on separate sides of the the property. These basins will house the majority of the run off from the entire roof area and allow it to percolate back in to the soil. see more amazing projects: https://cepontzsons.com

Modern Tudor on the Prairie Our clients fell in love with the wide-open spaces of the White Oaks Savanna development. They dreamed of a home that celebrated the beauty of Minnesota’s ever-changing landscape and blurred the line between indoor and outdoor. They wanted a home with a traditional exterior, impressive entry, and modern interiors. The large site provides spectacular views of the restored prairie landscape. All four sides of this home are refined and architecturally resolved since each elevation is highly visible in the open prairie setting. Properly locating the home on the site was critical to maintaining the stunning prairie views. The home is nestled behind a hill instead of sitting on top of it, so it is blocked from the neighbors and respects their views. Natural materials adorn the exterior, including cedar, stone, stucco, and copper, that act as “jewelry” for the home. The cedar and copper will patina with time, adding richness and texture to the home. Front Door: The custom front door is 4 feet wide by 8 feet tall. It is paired with a matching fixed panel, so the door appears to be 8 feet wide from the outside, and is painted a cheery bright blue to greet visitors. The intentional placement of color adds vibrancy throughout the home in contrast to the quiet exterior colors. The bold pops of color requested by the client continue on the interior of the home, including a turquoise dining room, magenta closet doors, and a deep blue basement. Lantern Staircase: A triple-height stair floating in front of 18-foot-high windows welcomes visitors. At night, a hidden, remote controlled retractable shade scrim (lightweight shade) limits light pollution to follow the Dark Skies Initiative. Great Room: Cased openings of white oak create transition spaces and frame views to and from the grand, two-story great room. The entry and dining room have cozy 8-foot ceilings and are perched 12” up from the great room for views over the living room furniture. To avoid dining chairs sliding over the steps, a custom built-in credenza sits on the steps behind the dining table. Folding Outswing Door: The 20’ wide by 9.5’ tall folding outswing door blurs the line between outside and inside. A hidden bi-parting retractable bug screen allows the large door to remain open throughout the day to bring in fresh air. Catwalk: A catwalk, or raised walkway, on the upper floor overlooks the great room and leads to the guest suites. A long bench with built-in linen storage is tucked into a niche with clerestory windows, providing a cozy spot for guests to relax. Guest laundry is tucked into the backside of the fireplace chimney. Owner's Suite: From the start, the owners wanted their bedroom perched on the second level to maximize views of the prairie beyond. Located in its own wing of the home, the owners’ suite offers privacy. Magenta closet doors guide the owners into the bedroom and adjacent bathroom. Lifestyle: The home incorporates numerous lifestyle features that are as much a part of the house as the main spaces. A sauna is located on the main level, allowing for easy access after a dip in the pool and a wine cellar is tucked neatly under the staircase for convenient and beautiful display.