Bradley Foto, Chris Bradley
Inspiration for a contemporary deck remodel in Chicago

APLD 2021 Silver Award Winning Landscape Design. Chocolate Brown Travertine stone stairway treads, wall caps patio areas and stepping stones surrounded by gravel. This expansive back yard landscape with several mature oak trees and a stunning Golden Locust tree has been transformed into a welcoming outdoor retreat. The renovations include a wraparound deck, an expansive travertine natural stone patio, stairways and pathways along with concrete retaining walls and column accents with dramatic planters. The pathways meander throughout the landscape... some with travertine stepping stones and gravel and those below the majestic oaks left natural with fallen leaves. Raised vegetable beds and fruit trees occupy some of the sunniest areas of the landscape. A variety of low-water and low-maintenance plants for both sunny and shady areas include several succulents, grasses, CA natives and other site-appropriate Mediterranean plants complimented by a variety of boulders. Dramatic white pots provide architectural accents, filled with succulents and citrus trees. Design, Photos, Drawings © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

We took a rustic antler chandelier and refinished it in a dark bold navy blue. The transition from rustic to modern while still tying in the overall feel of the room was a huge hit and an unexpected finish. There wasn't enough room in this tiny nursery to accommodate curtains, so a cornice was custom created to conceal the blind hardware. Such a great idea to bring additional color and feel to an often forgotten space. Lindsey Smith @ Simply Salvage Interiors

A built-in drop zone bench complete with storage drawers and coat hooks. Kitchen remodeled from start to finish by Village Home Stores.
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized transitional galley dark wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in Chicago with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz countertops, beige backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and no island

Rebecca Lindenmeyr
Inspiration for a large traditional full sun backyard stone formal garden in Burlington with a fire pit.

Open | Close Doors
Bedroom - cottage bedroom idea in Los Angeles

This pine tree in the front yard balances the front yard beautifully. By adding it to the garden bed the pine tree is framed with color and texture from the shrubs and flowers.

Add character to your landscape during the evening hours by accenting trees. The use of well lights and spot lights add dimension as well as illuminate the property providing a beautiful visual display.

The Mazama house is located in the Methow Valley of Washington State, a secluded mountain valley on the eastern edge of the North Cascades, about 200 miles northeast of Seattle. The house has been carefully placed in a copse of trees at the easterly end of a large meadow. Two major building volumes indicate the house organization. A grounded 2-story bedroom wing anchors a raised living pavilion that is lifted off the ground by a series of exposed steel columns. Seen from the access road, the large meadow in front of the house continues right under the main living space, making the living pavilion into a kind of bridge structure spanning over the meadow grass, with the house touching the ground lightly on six steel columns. The raised floor level provides enhanced views as well as keeping the main living level well above the 3-4 feet of winter snow accumulation that is typical for the upper Methow Valley. To further emphasize the idea of lightness, the exposed wood structure of the living pavilion roof changes pitch along its length, so the roof warps upward at each end. The interior exposed wood beams appear like an unfolding fan as the roof pitch changes. The main interior bearing columns are steel with a tapered “V”-shape, recalling the lightness of a dancer. The house reflects the continuing FINNE investigation into the idea of crafted modernism, with cast bronze inserts at the front door, variegated laser-cut steel railing panels, a curvilinear cast-glass kitchen counter, waterjet-cut aluminum light fixtures, and many custom furniture pieces. The house interior has been designed to be completely integral with the exterior. The living pavilion contains more than twelve pieces of custom furniture and lighting, creating a totality of the designed environment that recalls the idea of Gesamtkunstverk, as seen in the work of Josef Hoffman and the Viennese Secessionist movement in the early 20th century. The house has been designed from the start as a sustainable structure, with 40% higher insulation values than required by code, radiant concrete slab heating, efficient natural ventilation, large amounts of natural lighting, water-conserving plumbing fixtures, and locally sourced materials. Windows have high-performance LowE insulated glazing and are equipped with concealed shades. A radiant hydronic heat system with exposed concrete floors allows lower operating temperatures and higher occupant comfort levels. The concrete slabs conserve heat and provide great warmth and comfort for the feet. Deep roof overhangs, built-in shades and high operating clerestory windows are used to reduce heat gain in summer months. During the winter, the lower sun angle is able to penetrate into living spaces and passively warm the exposed concrete floor. Low VOC paints and stains have been used throughout the house. The high level of craft evident in the house reflects another key principle of sustainable design: build it well and make it last for many years! Photo by Benjamin Benschneider

Custom designed and built tree house with large cedar architectural timbers, Trex Transcend flooring, galvanized standing seam steel roof, galvanized wire mesh railing. It also has features like a fireman's pole and rope bridge. The interior of the room is cedar trimmed and the exterior siding is reclaimed Michigan barn wood.

Reconfiguration of the exising kitchen/living room area yielded a more gracious entertaining space with unobstructed views and natural lighting. The pre-finished flooring is a 5" width plank from Dansk Hardwood: Vintage Birch Hard-scraped Solid in the "Toast" finish with satin sheen. Last I checked, it was discontinued by the manufacturer.

APLD 2021 Silver Award Winning Landscape Design. Travertine stone for wall and stairway caps and stepping stones. Concrete retaining walls. This expansive back yard landscape with several mature oak trees and a stunning Golden Locust tree has been transformed into a welcoming outdoor retreat. The renovations include a wraparound deck, an expansive natural stone patio, stairways and pathways along with concrete retaining walls and column accents with dramatic planters. The pathways meander throughout the landscape... some with travertine stepping stones and gravel and those below the majestic oaks left natural with fallen leaves. Raised vegetable beds and fruit trees occupy some of the sunniest areas of the landscape. A variety of low-water and low-maintenance plants for both sunny and shady areas include several succulents, grasses, CA natives and other site-appropriate Mediterranean plants complimented by a variety of boulders. Dramatic white pots provide architectural accents, filled with succulents and citrus trees. Design, Photos, Drawings © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Add character to your landscape during the evening hours by accenting trees. The use of well lights and spot lights add dimension as well as illuminate the property providing a beautiful visual display.

We used neutral tones and timeless furniture pieces to create this warm and welcoming space for the newest addition to this family. Birch tree branches, a wood log side table, tree decals and a birds nest textured pendant light all help layer this cozy room with rustic elements.

We used neutral tones and timeless furniture pieces to create this warm and welcoming space for the newest addition to this family. Birch tree branches, a wood log side table, tree decals and a birds nest textured pendant light all help layer this cozy room with rustic elements.

Reclaimed birch trees with LED strip lighting
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern wooden u-shaped glass railing staircase remodel in Toronto with wooden risers

This unique Dominique Raised High Sleeper Bed with Tree Bookcase and Underbed Desk Area combines a relaxation, study and play area all in one! Following our line of Luxury Kids Beds from Mathy By Bols, this bed is ideal for every day use and comes with a desk area under the bed and the Tree Bookcase is perfect for storing books where space is an issue. With 20 colour choices available (see the swatch above), there's something for every boy and girl. Handmade in Belgium, the bed is made from solid pine and requires two person self assembly. Features and Benefits: Solid pine. 20 colours to choose from. Bed dimensions: Length 104 cm Width 209 cm Height 172 cm. Ladder included. Desk top included (two separate pieces). 6 corner Tree bookcase included. Mattress not included: require mattress size 90 cm x 190 cm (also available from Cuckooland). Requires two person self assembly. Handcrafted in Belgium - requires 4-5 weeks for delivery. We also deliver to the United States & Countries outside the UK! Please contact us for an overseas shipping quote. Email us at customerservice@cuckooland.com or call +44 (0) 1305 231 231 Mon-Fri 9-6pm UK time.

Set in the community of Eagle Ridge, this is a masterpiece of modern design and outdoor luxury. An exposed aggregate driveway complete with a secondary entrance was designed around the 50 to 60 year old birch tree in the front yard. The rebuilt and redesigned composite upper deck afforded an opportunity to create a space that was 100% waterproof below by using a torch on a membrane and a floating sleeper system for the upper deck. 10mm glass completes the expansive views of the backyard and the pool area. The two-sided gas fireplace offers unmatched ambiance in the hot tub with elegance in the covered sitting area directly on the adjacent side of the hot tub. The custom stainless steel spa is just steps from the expansive pool deck that surrounds the heated in ground pool. A large grass area surrounded by shrubs set in black mulch is the perfect contrast and finish this modern masterpiece. Photo Credit: Jamen Rhodes

Nurturing multiple trees on your land will complete the look of your yard and increase the curb appeal of your property. Trees will also produce oxygen and encourage wildlife to move into the area. Just like any living thing, trees have a set lifespan which means that sometimes you will need to seek tree removal. Just because one tree has reached the end of its life doesn’t mean that’s the end. You can plan another in its place to enhance the environment around your home. Knowing when to have a tree removed is not always easy to understand. That’s why Five Star Tree Services has put together a list of the top four signs that it may be time to remove and replace an old tree. The Tree is Dead If one of your trees is obviously dead, it no longer offers any benefits to your home or the surrounding environment. Dead trees can actually even become a hazard to your home and your family. Dead branches can fall on your roof or the tree itself can tip over during a storm. The best course of action is to call Five Star Tree Services to have a tree removal service performed. You will want to have the tree removed as soon as you can. Removing the dead tree will also help reduce the chances of fungus, vermin, and disease from developing or spreading to other trees on your land. Oversized Tree Large trees have a tendency to grow even larger. If you are worried about a tree brushing against your home or your foundation, it may be a good idea to have it removed. When trees encroach on the exterior walls or the foundation, it can result in costly repairs. Decayed & Diseased Trees Just like with people, trees can develop illnesses or infections that have no cure. These can come from trauma to the tree, seasonal fungus that are left untreated, or even from animals or bugs. Trees that suffer from decay or disease have a higher chance of collapsing on homes or even people due to lack of stability. Unhealthy trees also reduce the overall curb appeal of your home by making your landscaping visually unattractive. If you are trying to sell your home, it is a good idea to remove diseased and decaying trees before listing it on the market. Over Shading or View Blocking Trees Trees are another random part of nature that cares little for your personal view. If they are planted in an ideal spot that provides them with plenty of sun and nutrients, they will flourish in their location. If your trees are blocking the view of a critical area such as the lake or the beach, it can make you enjoy your home even less. For homes that are on the market for sale, a blocked view can deter home buyers from closing on the property. Although healthy tree removal should always be considered carefully, Five Star Tree Services can remove the impediment to your view in short order. How We Can Help Five Star Tree Services is the premier arborist company in the metro area. We offer a full complement of Toronto Tree Care Services which includes affordable tree removal services, tree pruning, tree planting and more. Our qualified staff is standing by to help, so give us a call at (416) 990-3355 today.