Luxuriously dark cabinetry, light worktops and walls with a spacious feel - this is a cool take on a classical kitchen design. Custom made for a couple with a keen eye for design, who work hard, know how to relax and absolutely adore their pups. Their kitchen renovation was part of a whole house restoration. With busy careers and two pups the brief highlighted two main aims. Firstly, to create space to enjoy the kitchen, for cooking and relaxing. Secondly, to provide customised storage so that everything has a place to help keep the space tidy. The main kitchen area is where the culinary magic happens with space to unwind. The home bar for gin and wine lovers, includes wine racks, antique mirror, glazed shelves for the gin collection and two fridge drawers for wine and mixers. Designed with pocket doors it can be left open to admire the beautiful bottles, or closed – maybe for Dry January?! It’s positioned cleverly next to their outdoor ‘lounge’ area complete with comfortable chairs and an outside rug. The larder cupboard has spice / oil racks, baskets and boxes at the bottom for treats. There are electrical points inside so the coffee machine is plugged in here and ready to serve that morning espresso. Being able to keep the kitchen tidy was important so we created a ‘home for everything’ using drawers within drawers, an Oak baking tray divider, pan drawers with lid holders and integrated chopping board and tray spaces. The ovens, warming drawer, induction hob and downdraft extractor are positioned together with the plenty of prep worktop space. The cooking section is aligned with the washing area including Fisher and Paykel dishwasher drawers, beautifully glossy white ceramic sink and boiling water tap. With a slim Oak shelf above for displaying favourite things. The Island serves as a breakfast bar as well as a sweet spot for a casual supper. There is a Zebrano wood knife block inset into the Island worktop so that their Global knife collection is on hand for food prep by the hob and oven. The table and chairs are painted in the same colour as the cabinets and upholstered in black and white, with bench seating by the window including drawers for dog toys conveniently by the doors to the garden. The second part of the design is the walk-in butler’s style pantry. This area was designed to keep the kitchen ‘clutter’ out of the main area. And it is a brilliant area to stack all the dirty dishes when entertaining as it’s completely out of sight. The cabinetry is an a classic ‘u’ shape and houses the fridge, freezer, cupboards for large appliances, oversized dishes and one for the mop and bucket. The tall cupboards with bi-fold doors are for food storage, and you can see from the photos that everything is beautifully kept – rice, pasta, popcorn, quinoa all in lovely named jars. It’s an organisers dream come true. There is also a sink for washing vegetables and oodles of prep surface. Colour pallet The cabinetry is hand painted in Farrow and Ball ‘Off-Black’. Dark and inky, it just lures you right in, timeless and deeply refined. With the cabinetry being grand in proportion too, with detailed cornicing it creates a really bold statement in this space. It can be daunting to go for a dark shade of black, blue or green, but you can see the drama of the cabinets is perfectly matched with plenty of natural light, the white walls and warm Oak floor tiles. The white patterned Domus ‘Biscuit’ tiles bring texture and playfulness. The worktop, Caesarstone Ocean Foam, is a white quartz with speckles of grey crystals. In a classic polished finish it lets the rest of the room do the ‘singing’ while providing a clean light reflecting practical surface for preparing and enjoying food and drinks. The floor tiles bring the warmth. No two tiles have the same pattern so they really do look like wood, but are better suited to the pups as they don’t scratch and are non-slip. Lighting Design The slim black framed windows with doors onto the garden flood the kitchen with natural light and warmth during the day. But atmospheric lighting into the evening was important too, so we incorporated custom lighting in the glass cabinet, gin cabinet and pantry. “It is so well integrated and was a really important thing for me, along with all the smart lighting in the room, and Mike did a great job with it all.” It was such a pleasure to make this kitchen. They wanted to work with a local company and we feel so lucky they picked us.

When you work with Refugia, know that you network with likeminded neighbors as concerned about conservation as you are. We create 'stepping stone gardens' that promote habitat connectivity for plants and wildlife for neighborhood nature conservation. Our long term goal is to not only restore species loss but over time, to reverse it - leading to enlarged and more resilient species populations better equipped to withstand normal population fluctuations for years to come. Collectively, our impact will make a difference.

Viz-Art-Dance & Designs services the North and South Bay Area, work in partnership with general contractor and lighting specialist Shami Studios at ShamiWeb.com. With a four year drought we can provide you water saving options for exterior landscaping reducing your water bill whle increasing the beauty and value of your home. With all of our services our goals is to either provide a comprehensive design service or teach you our secrets so you can experience the joy of designing! For more information contact us at: Viz-Art-Dance.info Woodwork by: A Honey Do List

Herbs are interplanted with annuals and perennials
Photo of a large mediterranean full sun backyard stone vegetable garden landscape in San Diego for summer.

his traditional family garden based in Hertfordshire won Aralia Garden Design the BALI Landscape Design Excellence award in 2009. A young professional, sociable family strong on traditional values was the key influence in Aralia’s romantic garden design for this Hertfordshire home. With the side and rear garden to landscape, Aralia used new oak, reclaimed rustic bricks and natural slate paving stones to remodel into separate garden rooms, each with its own function and personality. Reclaimed brick pillars with climbers make the play lawn a lovely area – children are within sight at all times and the pergola provides shade in the summer months, in addition to a whimsical living willow arbour in the shape of an igloo. Being a parent has enabled Patricia and her Aralia landscape design team to understand the positive impact that good garden design can have on family life! A large, flat terrace became a split-level space – the lower terrace linking the extension and lounge and an upper terrace with slate paving. Here 8 – 10 people can dine in relative privacy and higher maintenance planting was recommended with texture, shape, colour and fragrance of prime importance. The Kitchen Garden is made up of 4 raised beds, edged with distressed new oak sleepers. Vegetables, herbs and a greenhouse are encapsulated within one area with borders of well behaved shrubs and grasses, lavender and topiary balls elsewhere. Aralia provided a full Landscape Design & Build service, working with a multi-functional team of sub-contractors.

Viz-Art-Dance & Design services the North and South Bay Area, work in partnership with general contractor and lighting specialist Shami Studios at ShamiWeb.com. With a four year drought we can provide you water saving options for exterior landscaping reducing your water bill whle increasing the beauty and value of your home. With all of our services our goals is to either provide a comprehensive design service or teach you our secrets so you can experience the joy of designing! For more information contact us at: Viz-Art-Dance.info Woodwork by: A Honey Do List

Viz-Art-Dance & Design services the North and South Bay Area, work in partnership with general contractor and lighting specialist Shami Studios at ShamiWeb.com. With a four year drought we can provide you water saving options for exterior landscaping reducing your water bill whle increasing the beauty and value of your home. With all of our services our goals is to either provide a comprehensive design service or teach you our secrets so you can experience the joy of designing! For more information contact us at: Viz-Art-Dance.info Woodwork by: A Honey Do List

his traditional family garden based in Hertfordshire won Aralia Garden Design the BALI Landscape Design Excellence award in 2009. A young professional, sociable family strong on traditional values was the key influence in Aralia’s romantic garden design for this Hertfordshire home. With the side and rear garden to landscape, Aralia used new oak, reclaimed rustic bricks and natural slate paving stones to remodel into separate garden rooms, each with its own function and personality. Reclaimed brick pillars with climbers make the play lawn a lovely area – children are within sight at all times and the pergola provides shade in the summer months, in addition to a whimsical living willow arbour in the shape of an igloo. Being a parent has enabled Patricia and her Aralia landscape design team to understand the positive impact that good garden design can have on family life! A large, flat terrace became a split-level space – the lower terrace linking the extension and lounge and an upper terrace with slate paving. Here 8 – 10 people can dine in relative privacy and higher maintenance planting was recommended with texture, shape, colour and fragrance of prime importance. The Kitchen Garden is made up of 4 raised beds, edged with distressed new oak sleepers. Vegetables, herbs and a greenhouse are encapsulated within one area with borders of well behaved shrubs and grasses, lavender and topiary balls elsewhere. Aralia provided a full Landscape Design & Build service, working with a multi-functional team of sub-contractors.

his traditional family garden based in Hertfordshire won Aralia Garden Design the BALI Landscape Design Excellence award in 2009. A young professional, sociable family strong on traditional values was the key influence in Aralia’s romantic garden design for this Hertfordshire home. With the side and rear garden to landscape, Aralia used new oak, reclaimed rustic bricks and natural slate paving stones to remodel into separate garden rooms, each with its own function and personality. Reclaimed brick pillars with climbers make the play lawn a lovely area – children are within sight at all times and the pergola provides shade in the summer months, in addition to a whimsical living willow arbour in the shape of an igloo. Being a parent has enabled Patricia and her Aralia landscape design team to understand the positive impact that good garden design can have on family life! A large, flat terrace became a split-level space – the lower terrace linking the extension and lounge and an upper terrace with slate paving. Here 8 – 10 people can dine in relative privacy and higher maintenance planting was recommended with texture, shape, colour and fragrance of prime importance. The Kitchen Garden is made up of 4 raised beds, edged with distressed new oak sleepers. Vegetables, herbs and a greenhouse are encapsulated within one area with borders of well behaved shrubs and grasses, lavender and topiary balls elsewhere. Aralia provided a full Landscape Design & Build service, working with a multi-functional team of sub-contractors.

Viz-Art-Dance & Design services the North and South Bay Area, work in partnership with general contractor and lighting specialist Shami Studios at ShamiWeb.com. With a four year drought we can provide you water saving options for exterior landscaping reducing your water bill whle increasing the beauty and value of your home. With all of our services our goals is to either provide a comprehensive design service or teach you our secrets so you can experience the joy of designing! For more information contact us at: Viz-Art-Dance.info Woodwork by: A Honey Do List

his traditional family garden based in Hertfordshire won Aralia Garden Design the BALI Landscape Design Excellence award in 2009. A young professional, sociable family strong on traditional values was the key influence in Aralia’s romantic garden design for this Hertfordshire home. With the side and rear garden to landscape, Aralia used new oak, reclaimed rustic bricks and natural slate paving stones to remodel into separate garden rooms, each with its own function and personality. Reclaimed brick pillars with climbers make the play lawn a lovely area – children are within sight at all times and the pergola provides shade in the summer months, in addition to a whimsical living willow arbour in the shape of an igloo. Being a parent has enabled Patricia and her Aralia landscape design team to understand the positive impact that good garden design can have on family life! A large, flat terrace became a split-level space – the lower terrace linking the extension and lounge and an upper terrace with slate paving. Here 8 – 10 people can dine in relative privacy and higher maintenance planting was recommended with texture, shape, colour and fragrance of prime importance. The Kitchen Garden is made up of 4 raised beds, edged with distressed new oak sleepers. Vegetables, herbs and a greenhouse are encapsulated within one area with borders of well behaved shrubs and grasses, lavender and topiary balls elsewhere. Aralia provided a full Landscape Design & Build service, working with a multi-functional team of sub-contractors.

Viz-Art-Dance & Design services the North and South Bay Area, work in partnership with general contractor and lighting specialist Shami Studios at ShamiWeb.com. With a four year drought we can provide you water saving options for exterior landscaping reducing your water bill whle increasing the beauty and value of your home. With all of our services our goals is to either provide a comprehensive design service or teach you our secrets so you can experience the joy of designing! For more information contact us at: Viz-Art-Dance.info Woodwork by: A Honey Do List

Viz-Art-Dance & Design services the North and South Bay Area, work in partnership with general contractor and lighting specialist Shami Studios at ShamiWeb.com. With a four year drought we can provide you water saving options for exterior landscaping reducing your water bill whle increasing the beauty and value of your home. With all of our services our goals is to either provide a comprehensive design service or teach you our secrets so you can experience the joy of designing! For more information contact us at: Viz-Art-Dance.info Woodwork by: A Honey Do List

Bedroom -- Neat black and white designed bed with interesting pattern the carpet define the space.
Kids' room - large contemporary girl carpeted and black floor kids' room idea in San Francisco with beige walls

New construction for custom home. Designed all exterior elements
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary partial sun backyard concrete paver landscaping in Orange County for summer.

Recognizing the natural constraints on a narrow, wooded site with substantial topographic variation, southern exposure, and small private framed views to Cozy Cove, the architect, landscape architect, and owners collaborated to create a design that focused on the preservation of existing vegetation and the relationship of interior and exterior spaces. This partnership formed the framework for the architecture and garden design to respond to one another. The owner’s goal for their home was to maintain a strong and vital connection to the site, creating a fusion between home and landscape with a modern edge. The landscape design emphasizes structured and formal solutions in and around the building and its social spaces, while the site’s perimeter is soft and natural. The result of these efforts is a strong and clear connection between architecture and garden, integrating a palette of both modern and natural elements. Photos by Steve Young.

Inspiration for a timeless patio remodel in Boston

Bluestone patio with custom fireplace and sitting walls.
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless backyard stone patio remodel in Boston with a fire pit

A structured urban garden nestled in the heart of Davis Square provides usable outdoor spaces for an active, modern family. Tightly crafted wood screens provide privacy from the bustling streetscape and enclose half of the garden. Lichen-covered granite blocks from Maine form a seat height bench along one edge of a richly patterned brick terrace, and an elderly pear tree shades a fantastic outdoor dining room. Native shrubs, ferns, grasses, and other drought tolerant perennials soften edges and create multi-seasonal interest. An herb and vegetable garden along the north side of the property creates a productive and meaningful use of limited space in an otherwise forgotten part of the garden.