Photo by Jay Sifford.
Home design - eclectic home design idea in Charlotte

Benefiting from varied stone and gravel hardscapes, this back yard is used in many ways. Transitions are marked with a change in structure of paths, walls, and features. The dining area is defined by a seat wall that ends where the fire feature area starts. Garden beds surround the space as an accent, softening the space. A rugged yet warm design for a relatively small back yard. Photo Credit: Linda Oyama Bryan

The homeowners had just purchased this home in El Segundo and they had remodeled the kitchen and one of the bathrooms on their own. However, they had more work to do. They felt that the rest of the project was too big and complex to tackle on their own and so they retained us to take over where they left off. The main focus of the project was to create a master suite and take advantage of the rather large backyard as an extension of their home. They were looking to create a more fluid indoor outdoor space. When adding the new master suite leaving the ceilings vaulted along with French doors give the space a feeling of openness. The window seat was originally designed as an architectural feature for the exterior but turned out to be a benefit to the interior! They wanted a spa feel for their master bathroom utilizing organic finishes. Since the plan is that this will be their forever home a curbless shower was an important feature to them. The glass barn door on the shower makes the space feel larger and allows for the travertine shower tile to show through. Floating shelves and vanity allow the space to feel larger while the natural tones of the porcelain tile floor are calming. The his and hers vessel sinks make the space functional for two people to use it at once. The walk-in closet is open while the master bathroom has a white pocket door for privacy. Since a new master suite was added to the home we converted the existing master bedroom into a family room. Adding French Doors to the family room opened up the floorplan to the outdoors while increasing the amount of natural light in this room. The closet that was previously in the bedroom was converted to built in cabinetry and floating shelves in the family room. The French doors in the master suite and family room now both open to the same deck space. The homes new open floor plan called for a kitchen island to bring the kitchen and dining / great room together. The island is a 3” countertop vs the standard inch and a half. This design feature gives the island a chunky look. It was important that the island look like it was always a part of the kitchen. Lastly, we added a skylight in the corner of the kitchen as it felt dark once we closed off the side door that was there previously. Repurposing rooms and opening the floor plan led to creating a laundry closet out of an old coat closet (and borrowing a small space from the new family room). The floors become an integral part of tying together an open floor plan like this. The home still had original oak floors and the homeowners wanted to maintain that character. We laced in new planks and refinished it all to bring the project together. To add curb appeal we removed the carport which was blocking a lot of natural light from the outside of the house. We also re-stuccoed the home and added exterior trim.

Designed for large, custom applications, the Marquee fireplaces feature a 30" tall, and full brick-to-face design with no visible sheet metal. Mosaic Masonry™ system is available in traditional Warm Red or Ivory brick color in four different patterns or choose one of our many refractory liner options. All models are fully insulated, clean faced and outside air ready. When only an authentic masonry fireplace will do, the Marquee presents a tremendous opportunity with the benefit of 99% heating efficiency at a fraction of the site built cost. Aesthetics 30” tall, full brick to-face-design opening on all models. Firebrick lined featuring either the patented Mosaic Masonry ™ technology offering the real look of a site-built masonry fireplace, or beautifully detailed Estate panels. Available in a variety of 16 brick liner options. Mesh fire screens included. Comfort Radiant heat provides relaxing heat to the room environment. 99.9% heating efficiency when paired with a vent-free gas log set. Optional blower kit helps circulate warm air into a large room for maximum comfort. Ease of Operation Easy-access gas line features knockouts on both sides for quick and simple installation. Compatible with any listed ANSI Z21.11.2 vent-free log set . Choose an Astria vent-free unit for the best results. Performance Durable powder-coat finish creates scratch resistant surfaces and carefree handling. Fully insulated fireplace for trouble free operation in colder climates.

Red Angle Photography
Example of a cottage slate floor kitchen/dining room combo design in Other with white walls

Our clients had a couple young kids and wanted to renovate their house. We used timber framing to extend and add-on to the existing home and significantly increase the square footage of the house. This provided both structural and aesthetic benefits for the project. The kitchen has numerous local and handmade features, including a soapstone countertop and built-in sink.

The property is one of the original farm houses located on the main street of a small town. It has been in the family for many years and our client just inherited the property. They were trying to have balance of preserving the old while realizing modern day living has its benefits too. The house had a large addition added using mostly old style materials, but designed with function and modern day luxuries. Our goal was to carry that theme to the outside. Our first problem we had to address was how to transition between the first floor elevation changes. The lower room was the husband’s office. He stated in the future he may have clients over and it would be nice to have an area to sit outside. The wife’s main concern was to renew the four corner garden. She also felt it was very important to be able to see it from the kitchen area. Finally there was an old wishing well stuck right outside the kitchen. They both felt it would be neat to be able to incorporate this in some how. They wanted a patio area with a built in grill to accommodate there family and friends. They also wanted to keep a large play area for the kids. We were able to pull this off successfully. We addressed the first issue by having a small lower level flagstone area. This area is large enough for 1 to 2 people to sit comfortably. It also provides a transition from his office to the larger patio area. We installed a simple small gravel sitting area opposite of the main patio. This provides our client a secluded place to relax or do business. Mrs.... told me she is amazed how much her and her husband enjoys this area. It is so peaceful looking at the small creek over a glass of wine. We built a natural limestone retaining wall to create the patio terrace. The stone was chosen to extend the houses architectural elements into the landscape. Irregular broken flagstone was used to give it a more casual feel. We installed three Serviceberries into the patio terrace to replace some trees that were taken down during the remodeling. She was very concern that they would block the view of the four corner garden. We new they were crucial to nestle in the terrace, so we placed them for a couple days for her to decide. Fortunately she agreed they not only kept the view open, but helped frame the garden. The four corner garden was designed to be viewed from afar and experienced up close. We wanted the space to have some formal structure while keeping with the casual farm house feel. Another natural limestone retaining wall was created. This leveled the garden terrace and helped associate it with the rest of the property. The four corner garden is nestled into the existing woods edge. This provides three distinct experiences to entering the garden; a more formal from the driveway, an open feel from the lower lawn, and a more natural / casual experience from the wooded area. The Plymouth brown gravel was used for the center of the garden. This helped highlight the stone post that was found during construction. The gravel also brings the sense of sound into the garden space. Lamb’s ear was chosen as a fun way to get kids interest in horticulture. The balance of using the new to create the old feel is what makes this project a success. The property has already hosted a local historical society event and won an award for its preservation efforts. When Mrs.... can’t find her husband, she knows he is either reading the newspaper by the grill or resting in the hammock along the wood’s path.

A contemporary dining room benefits from the authentic texture of our Drystack faux stone panels in Espresso.
Mid-sized trendy ceramic tile enclosed dining room photo in Charlotte with beige walls and no fireplace

DAPHNE SWIVELS in velvet. A perfect combination of a distinctive sculptural shape with a tall, supportive back and all the fun and function of a swivel. In addition to the great comfort it offers, Daphne’s high back and streamlined style are great for showing off fabric in a striking color, texture or pattern and becoming a strong focal point of a room. Like this style but prefer it stationary? See our Dana Chair. ALLURE ROUND COCKTAIL TABLE: This 42”-round cocktail table has its benefits. Its shape can soften the straight lines that dominate most rooms. And thanks to its materials mix…honed Turkish travertine top and patinaed satin-brass base…it can add warmth to any setting. It’s part of a very versatile living room collection that mixes metal, stone, and wood. Also shown, the Allure side table. The collection also includes a rectangular and a nesting cocktail table, both with eucalyptus-veneer tops instead of travertine. Love how the Powershag rug adds texture to the space. Behind the sofa, our Kimora dining table and Sorrel upholstered dining chairs complete this open-plan room.

Our clients in Tower Lakes, IL, needed more storage and functionality from their kitchen. They were primarily focused on finding the right combination of cabinets, shelves, and drawers that fit all their cookware, flatware, and appliances. They wanted a brighter, bigger space with a natural cooking flow and plenty of storage. Soffits and crown molding needed to be removed to make the kitchen feel larger. Redesign elements included: relocating the fridge, adding a baking station and coffee bar, and placing the microwave in the kitchen island. Advance Design Studio’s Claudia Pop offered functional, creative, and unique solutions to the homeowners’ problems. Our clients wanted a unique kitchen that was not completely white, a balance of design and function. Claudia offered functional, creative, and unique solutions to Chad and Karen’s kitchen design challenges. The first thing to go was soffits. Today, most kitchens can benefit from the added height and space; removing soffits is nearly always step one. Steely gray-blue was the color of choice for a freshly unique look bringing a sophisticated-looking space to wrap around the fresh new kitchen. Cherry cabinetry in a true brown stain compliments the stormy accents with sharp contrasting white Cambria quartz top balancing out the space with a dramatic flair. “We wanted something unique and special in this space, something none of the neighbors would have,” said Claudia. The dramatic veined Cambria countertops continue upward into a backsplash behind three complimentary open shelves. These countertops provide visual texture and movement in the kitchen. The kitchen includes two larder cabinets for both the coffee bar and baking station. The kitchen is now functional and unique in design. “When we design a new kitchen space, as designers, we are always looking for ways to balance interesting design elements with practical functionality,” Claudia said. “This kitchen’s new design is not only way more functional but is stunning in a way a piece of art can catch one’s attention.” Decorative mullions with mirrored inserts sit atop dual sentinel pantries flanking the new refrigerator, while a 48″ dual fuel Wolf range replaced the island cooktop and double oven. The new microwave is cleverly hidden within the island, eliminating the cluttered counter and attention-grabbing wall of stainless steel from the previous space. The family room was completely renovated, including a beautifully functional entertainment bar with the same combination of woods and stone as the kitchen and coffee bar. Mesh inserts instead of plain glass add visual texture while revealing pristine glassware. Handcrafted built-ins surround the fireplace. The beautiful and efficient design created by designer Claudia transitioned directly to the installation team seamlessly, much like the basement project experience Chad and Karen enjoyed previously. “We definitely will and have recommended Advance Design Studio to friends who are looking to embark on a project small or large,” Karen said. “Everything that was designed and built exactly how we envisioned it, and we are really enjoying it to its full potential,” Karen said. Our award-winning design team would love to create a beautiful, functional, and spacious place for you and your family. With our “Common Sense Remodeling” approach, the process of renovating your home has never been easier. Contact us today at 847-665-1711 or schedule an appointment.

Jeri Koegel
Pool fountain - mid-sized contemporary backyard custom-shaped infinity pool fountain idea in Orange County with decking

We build our ponds to work with mother nature, not against her. By doing so, we have less pond maintenance, allowing us to enjoy the benefits of the pond instead of having to work on the pond. By constructing your water feature to perform as an ecosystem, nature is at the heart of the water cycle, not man. As a result, the root systems of pond plants filter the water, natural bacteria breaks down organic matter and pond fish eat the algae. No chemicals or other devices, just nature, doing what nature does best. If you live in Kentucky (KY) Contact us to get started with your Backyard Pond design. Photos By H2O Designs Inc. Lexington Kentucky To Learn More about our company and our Ponds visit http://www.h2odesignsinc.com/backyard-pond-installer.html

This photo shows an indoor/outdoor carpet manufactured by Shaw called Dreamweaver. It's shown in color Dragonfly. An indoor/outdoor carpet has to be durable to withstand the elements of Mother Nature.

I built this on my property for my aging father who has some health issues. Handicap accessibility was a factor in design. His dream has always been to try retire to a cabin in the woods. This is what he got. It is a 1 bedroom, 1 bath with a great room. It is 600 sqft of AC space. The footprint is 40' x 26' overall. The site was the former home of our pig pen. I only had to take 1 tree to make this work and I planted 3 in its place. The axis is set from root ball to root ball. The rear center is aligned with mean sunset and is visible across a wetland. The goal was to make the home feel like it was floating in the palms. The geometry had to simple and I didn't want it feeling heavy on the land so I cantilevered the structure beyond exposed foundation walls. My barn is nearby and it features old 1950's "S" corrugated metal panel walls. I used the same panel profile for my siding. I ran it vertical to math the barn, but also to balance the length of the structure and stretch the high point into the canopy, visually. The wood is all Southern Yellow Pine. This material came from clearing at the Babcock Ranch Development site. I ran it through the structure, end to end and horizontally, to create a seamless feel and to stretch the space. It worked. It feels MUCH bigger than it is. I milled the material to specific sizes in specific areas to create precise alignments. Floor starters align with base. Wall tops adjoin ceiling starters to create the illusion of a seamless board. All light fixtures, HVAC supports, cabinets, switches, outlets, are set specifically to wood joints. The front and rear porch wood has three different milling profiles so the hypotenuse on the ceilings, align with the walls, and yield an aligned deck board below. Yes, I over did it. It is spectacular in its detailing. That's the benefit of small spaces. Concrete counters and IKEA cabinets round out the conversation. For those who could not live in a tiny house, I offer the Tiny-ish House. Photos by Ryan Gamma Staging by iStage Homes Design assistance by Jimmy Thornton

Louie pine - a stunning conifer for containers and the winter garden Photo credit; Alyson Ross-Markley
Design ideas for a traditional landscaping in Seattle.

We build our ponds to work with mother nature, not against her. By doing so, we have less pond maintenance, allowing us to enjoy the benefits of the pond instead of having to work on the pond. By constructing your water feature to perform as an ecosystem, nature is at the heart of the water cycle, not man. As a result, the root systems of pond plants filter the water, natural bacteria breaks down organic matter and pond fish eat the algae. No chemicals or other devices, just nature, doing what nature does best. If you live in Kentucky (KY) Contact us to get started with your Backyard Pond design. Photos By H2O Designs Inc. Lexington Kentucky To Learn More about our company and our Ponds visit http://www.h2odesignsinc.com/backyard-pond-installer.html

Our Privacy Screens are 100% Custom Made in the USA. We are located in Colorado but we can ship for all of the 50 states. We only use high quality American Made steel. All of our Products are custom made. We can add frames, posts, brackets. There are also several designs available through our Etsy listings. Or visit our website to see more options: www.hnpbuilding.com Benefits of our privacy screens: 1- Increased privacy – The nosy neighbors and odd passersby will have a much harder time seeing your own personal goings-on. 2- Shade – On a hot summer’s day, it is always nice to find a bit of shade, and when the sun is beating down on your patio, sometimes you have to bring the shade to you. A privacy screen can offer this much-needed respite from the heat of direct sunlight. 3- Hiding eyesores – Sometimes there are things we need to keep outside and they are not always aesthetically pleasing. Things like air conditioning units and water pumps can really distract from your yard’s scenery. Privacy screens are a good way of dividing and keeping things like this out of sight. 4- Attractive – The right screen can really accentuate your yard, making it a true sight to be seen. What exactly do you do? Driven by curiosity, we thrive on challenging creativity and what is expected when designing for a space. We enhance experience through the creation and design of decorative screens. Ultimately, elevating spaces to bring people together.

Block Brothers Custom Cabinets
Example of a trendy home office design in Portland Maine

The Equinox Adjustable Louvered Roof gives you the benefits of a porch AND a pergola in one. Cover when you need it, sunshine when you want it. Remote controlled adjustable louvers let you enjoy outdoor living any way you want it.