New terraced retaining walls using Mutual Materials flat face khaki manor stone with pisa 2 coping cap. Rope lighting mounted under cap for night lighting. Custom freestanding arbors in cedar with hanging accent low voltage light for table. Green house tucks back into walls opening up space in the yard. Raised pond and waterfall in background beyond patio.

Design and Fabrication by MacLaren Kitchen and Bath Designer: Mary Skurecki This large master bathroom boasts a stunning pantry cabinet wall with a TV hook up in an espresso stained alder wood. Mirroring vanities on either side of the room have Ceasarstone Quartz tops in Clamshell with an eased edge and under mount sinks. The cabinet beside the freestanding tub has x-cubbies for displaying towels in a spa-like fashion. The glass corner shower sports a quartz knee-wall and shower curb with beveled edges, along with a custom built marble niche for shampoos.

Traditional Style Wall using Techo-Bloc's Baltimore wall & Piedimonte caps. Traditional Style platform steps framed with Piedimonte caps.
Patio fountain - traditional backyard patio fountain idea in Other with a pergola

As part of this backyard renovation project in Coquitlam, Arani Construction installed a structural Allen Block retaining wall system to create a clean transition between the lower concrete patio and the elevated garden area. The wall was constructed following proper excavation and grading, with compacted road base preparation and gravel drainage installed behind the blocks to ensure long-term stability and water management. The retaining wall also defines the landscape layout and provides a functional border for the upper planting area, helping prevent soil movement while improving the visual structure of the backyard. Natural stone accents and planting beds were incorporated into the design to soften the hardscape and blend the retaining wall with the surrounding landscaping. This upgrade was part of a larger exterior renovation aimed at improving drainage performance, usability of the outdoor space, and the overall appearance of the property.

[Our Clients] We were so excited to help these new homeowners re-envision their split-level diamond in the rough. There was so much potential in those walls, and we couldn’t wait to delve in and start transforming spaces. Our primary goal was to re-imagine the main level of the home and create an open flow between the space. So, we started by converting the existing single car garage into their living room (complete with a new fireplace) and opening up the kitchen to the rest of the level. [Kitchen] The original kitchen had been on the small side and cut-off from the rest of the home, but after we removed the coat closet, this kitchen opened up beautifully. Our plan was to create an open and light filled kitchen with a design that translated well to the other spaces in this home, and a layout that offered plenty of space for multiple cooks. We utilized clean white cabinets around the perimeter of the kitchen and popped the island with a spunky shade of blue. To add a real element of fun, we jazzed it up with the colorful escher tile at the backsplash and brought in accents of brass in the hardware and light fixtures to tie it all together. Through out this home we brought in warm wood accents and the kitchen was no exception, with its custom floating shelves and graceful waterfall butcher block counter at the island. [Dining Room] The dining room had once been the home’s living room, but we had other plans in mind. With its dramatic vaulted ceiling and new custom steel railing, this room was just screaming for a dramatic light fixture and a large table to welcome one-and-all. [Living Room] We converted the original garage into a lovely little living room with a cozy fireplace. There is plenty of new storage in this space (that ties in with the kitchen finishes), but the real gem is the reading nook with two of the most comfortable armchairs you’ve ever sat in. [Master Suite] This home didn’t originally have a master suite, so we decided to convert one of the bedrooms and create a charming suite that you’d never want to leave. The master bathroom aesthetic quickly became all about the textures. With a sultry black hex on the floor and a dimensional geometric tile on the walls we set the stage for a calm space. The warm walnut vanity and touches of brass cozy up the space and relate with the feel of the rest of the home. We continued the warm wood touches into the master bedroom, but went for a rich accent wall that elevated the sophistication level and sets this space apart. [Hall Bathroom] The floor tile in this bathroom still makes our hearts skip a beat. We designed the rest of the space to be a clean and bright white, and really let the lovely blue of the floor tile pop. The walnut vanity cabinet (complete with hairpin legs) adds a lovely level of warmth to this bathroom, and the black and brass accents add the sophisticated touch we were looking for. [Office] We loved the original built-ins in this space, and knew they needed to always be a part of this house, but these 60-year-old beauties definitely needed a little help. We cleaned up the cabinets and brass hardware, switched out the formica counter for a new quartz top, and painted wall a cheery accent color to liven it up a bit. And voila! We have an office that is the envy of the neighborhood.

Located steps from the waterways of Huntington Harbor, California, Phelps Residence is a remodel of a regional mid-century house, developed in the 1960s along with the rest of the Harbor neighborhood. The goal of the renovation was to honor the mid-century bones of the existing structure featuring full-height windows and open beam ceilings while infusing new life and detail via a ground-up renovation. The volume of the house is a two-story stucco façade structure with vertical cedar and black metal accents. The wall-to-wall, full-height sliding doors create an indoor-outdoor experience by extending the front yard fire pit and seating area through the living room to the backyard swimming pool and cabana beyond. The climate of the Harbor provides an ideal environment to open the space up to the yards year-round, thereby expanding the footprint of the house and allowing for an uninterrupted flow between rooms and indoor and outdoor areas. The entry foyer features a steel and terrazzo sculptural stair in a recessed bed of river rock. The lower level’s large-scale terrazzo tiles seamlessly join the living room, dining room, and kitchen. The upper level is reserved for the private bedrooms and a more intimate family room. Hardwood floors flow throughout while large-scale windows seek to capture the unique views offered from each room. Stack bond CMU garden walls in the front yard define the entry sequence, honoring the mid-century history of the residence.

This minimalist guest bath with fully tiled walls is made more interesting by the use of stainless steel channels set between each horizontal row of wall tile. Because it continues through the glass shower walls, the shower seems almost invisible. Photography: Mark Boisclair

Back When Photography
Small farmhouse u-shaped dark wood floor enclosed kitchen photo in Salt Lake City with yellow cabinets, wood countertops, white backsplash, white appliances, no island, a drop-in sink and shaker cabinets

This rustic master bathroom contrasts with the beach style of the rest of the house. Brightly painted wood slat walls and white quartz counters compliment the rustic look of the antique vanity and hanging light fixtures. Light fills this bathroom all day from a south facing double hung window (with privacy glass in lower sash) and a Solatube skylight in the ceiling. Golden Visions Design Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Water features can help turn your landscape into something special, providing a focal point and attracting wildlife. If done correctly, they can bring both beauty and very low maintenance into your backyard. Finding the right design that will fit with the existing look of your outdoor environment is key. We want your water features in Arizona to match the style and sophistication of your home and landscape.

Exposed framing is possible because all the insulation is on the outside of the house. This concept is called "Perfect Wall" and was originally designed by Building Science Corporation's founder Joe Lstiburek. See our YouTube channel for more info and construction videos on Perfect Wall. YouTube.com/MattRisinger Casey Dunn

The design for this home in Palo Alto looked to create a union between the interior and exterior, blending the spaces in such a way as to allow residents to move seamlessly between the two environments. Expansive glazing was used throughout the home to complement this union, looking out onto a swimming pool centrally located within the courtyard. Within the living room, a large operable skylight brings in plentiful sunlight, while utilizing self tinting glass that adjusts to various lighting conditions throughout the day to ensure optimal comfort. For the exterior, a living wall was added to the garage that continues into the backyard. Extensive landscaping and a gabion wall was also created to provide privacy and contribute to the sense of the home as a tranquil oasis.

Inspiration for a timeless family room remodel in San Francisco with beige walls and no tv

Belgard Catalina with Weston wall border. Fx lighting highlights a beautiful transformation of Synthetic turf and drip irrrigation for a simple and practical backyard. HWH Home and Garden - Daniel Haniger 650-204-4444

View the house plans at: http://houseplans.co/house-plans/2472 Photos by Bob Greenspan

We added a hidden shower niche on the knee wall of the shower enclosure to store most of the bottles. We also strategically placed the shower faucet on this half wall so the homeowner could stand outside the shower to turn the water on and let the water warm up- as opposed to entering the shower, turning the water on and quickly existing without getting wet.

Copyright 2015, Photos by Kyle Ketchel, Visual Properties, LLC
Bathroom - large contemporary master gray tile and ceramic tile ceramic tile bathroom idea in Raleigh with marble countertops and gray walls

Paul Dyer Photography
Inspiration for a timeless gray tile and glass tile mosaic tile floor corner shower remodel in San Francisco with an undermount sink, white cabinets, an undermount tub, gray walls and recessed-panel cabinets

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