Interior photography of EM Interiors Chicago's spring 2015 One Room Challenge. Calling It Home's One Room Challenge is a biannual design event that challenges 20 design bloggers to transform a space over the course of the month. Photography ©2015 by Kelly Peloza Photo

Example of a transitional family room design in San Francisco

Example of a transitional kitchen design in Boston with a farmhouse sink, white backsplash and stainless steel appliances

This room received a make-over to better reflect the homeowner's sense of style. New hand-scraped Acacia wood floors, recessed lighting, and the distinctive overhead fan create a fresh look. KraftMaid cabinets provide attractive storage and built-in desks for art projects, These lucky kids now have an inviting space to hang out, do crafts, and watch movies.

Marble Mosaic Tile shower remodel is designed with elegance in mind. From the marble diamond shaped marble mosaic tiles intricately placed in shower niche as well as elaborately displayed behind the shower fixtures. In addition, to the 8×24 marble-look porcelain tiles running up the shower walls surround the porcelain hexagon shower floor tiles. Finalized with Granite pony wall top, granite niche, and threshold surrounding the glass door. This master bath remodel is luxurious and will be enjoyed for years to come. Marble Mosaic tile accents in addition to Marble-look tiles complete in Client Project Shower Remodel Project ~ Thank you for sharing! Planning and designing shower remodels with mosaic tiles adds striking features to any shower or tub remodel. Choosing to add a stylish mosaic tile to a shower niche or the addition of surrounding the shower fixtures as shown are two elements that are not only striking, but elegant in design. In addition, choose to run a mosaic accent tile down the full length of the shower wall for a waterfall effect drawing the eye. Choose to run a traditional horizontal line across the walls is a beautiful addition. Furthermore, choosing from a traditional threshold shower design shown to a curbless or zero-entry shower for aging in place and simpler cleaning. Purchasing Schluter Shower-systems makes designing a shower simple, easy, and waterproof. In addition, to shelves, grates and tile edge profiles available. Remember to add granite or quartz for shelves, niches, benches, and threshold or pony wall tops. With so many options stop in to ask an expert bathroom designer regarding your next bathroom remodel or renovation design options. Large selection of samples available in marble mosaics and accent tiles. In addition, to marble-look tiles located at our showroom. Stop in and check out samples today. Find your locally owned Home Improvement Store, French Creek Designs, on MeWe or Facebook, and follow us! Read more about our process and read regular updates on client projects and updated materials selections and choices at FCD News a reliable source of information and current trends.

Marble Mosaic Tile shower remodel is designed with elegance in mind. From the marble diamond shaped marble mosaic tiles intricately placed in shower niche as well as elaborately displayed behind the shower fixtures. In addition, to the 8×24 marble-look porcelain tiles running up the shower walls surround the porcelain hexagon shower floor tiles. Finalized with Granite pony wall top, granite niche, and threshold surrounding the glass door. This master bath remodel is luxurious and will be enjoyed for years to come. Marble Mosaic tile accents in addition to Marble-look tiles complete in Client Project Shower Remodel Project ~ Thank you for sharing! Planning and designing shower remodels with mosaic tiles adds striking features to any shower or tub remodel. Choosing to add a stylish mosaic tile to a shower niche or the addition of surrounding the shower fixtures as shown are two elements that are not only striking, but elegant in design. In addition, choose to run a mosaic accent tile down the full length of the shower wall for a waterfall effect drawing the eye. Choose to run a traditional horizontal line across the walls is a beautiful addition. Furthermore, choosing from a traditional threshold shower design shown to a curbless or zero-entry shower for aging in place and simpler cleaning. Purchasing Schluter Shower-systems makes designing a shower simple, easy, and waterproof. In addition, to shelves, grates and tile edge profiles available. Remember to add granite or quartz for shelves, niches, benches, and threshold or pony wall tops. With so many options stop in to ask an expert bathroom designer regarding your next bathroom remodel or renovation design options. Large selection of samples available in marble mosaics and accent tiles. In addition, to marble-look tiles located at our showroom. Stop in and check out samples today. Find your locally owned Home Improvement Store, French Creek Designs, on MeWe or Facebook, and follow us! Read more about our process and read regular updates on client projects and updated materials selections and choices at FCD News a reliable source of information and current trends.

ChooseURcolor.com Beautiful Custom Color Art Achieve that perfect look in your home with custom color art. Now you can have beautiful art painted by acclaimed artist in the right color that elevates brings your room together a punch of artful color that. It arrives ready to hang. Choose a small or large piece in the right color for your living room, bed room or bathroom. What ever the color or your room we have a gallery of art and this year’s top trending accent colors to choose from. Have a beige room and would like sky blue accent art? Choose from our black and white gallery of art painted by acclaimed artist A. Tarman then choose your sky blue accent color. See the painting transforms into a sky blue painting. Within 6 day you receive your sky blue painting, ready to hang art on 1.5" wooden stretch bars with wire on back. Tarman is always painting and adding new art. Give us your email and we will send you the new art as it becomes available plus we will immediately send you “how to pick color. “ One small change can make the biggest difference in how your room looks and feels when you walk in. Plus art is a conversation starter and enviable to own. Each piece is limited edition so only 125 will ever be printed. Go to ChooseURcolor.com to get your beautiful custom color art. Give us suggestions on the kind of art you would like to see at info@andreatarmanart.com

ChooseURcolor.com Beautiful Custom Color Art Achieve that perfect look in your home with custom color art. Now you can have beautiful art painted by acclaimed artist in the right color that elevates brings your room together a punch of artful color that. It arrives ready to hang. Choose a small or large piece in the right color for your living room, bed room or bathroom. What ever the color or your room we have a gallery of art and this year’s top trending accent colors to choose from. Have a beige room and would like sky blue accent art? Choose from our black and white gallery of art painted by acclaimed artist A. Tarman then choose your sky blue accent color. See the painting transforms into a sky blue painting. Within 6 day you receive your sky blue painting, ready to hang art on 1.5" wooden stretch bars with wire on back. Tarman is always painting and adding new art. Give us your email and we will send you the new art as it becomes available plus we will immediately send you “how to pick color. “ One small change can make the biggest difference in how your room looks and feels when you walk in. Plus art is a conversation starter and enviable to own. Each piece is limited edition so only 125 will ever be printed. Go to ChooseURcolor.com to get your beautiful custom color art. Give us suggestions on the kind of art you would like to see at info@andreatarmanart.com

Lighting in a kitchen is not only about form but also function as this room functions as both a popular gathering spot and a work space as well. LED lights are now available in a variety of styles and brightness options to suit everything from traditional to modern. If your ceilings are 9 feet or higher, consider choosing a brighter recessed LED light as your general lighting. Also, keep in mind that if you are over 40 years old, chances are your eyes may soon appreciate a little more brightness during work mode. When you have the option, positioning the LED recessed light cans directly over work areas, where shadows will not block light, will maximize the effectiveness of the light. Remember to choose a dimmable LED light and that will enable you to easily slide from work mode light levels to softer light levels with more ambiance. Adding under cabinet LED lighting is another great way to brighten up the counter workspace areas. Make sure to get dimmable under cabinet LED lights as they can also function as a beautiful way to leave a little light in the kitchen after you and your guests have moved the party to another room. The quality of the LED light you choose is more important in your kitchen than most other rooms. Choosing higher quality lights with a CRI (Color Rendering Index ) of 90+ will make your kitchen colors, and meals look colorful and accurate, thus avoiding that dreaded florescent "washed out" look. Your kitchen is a busy, creative and productive space for which you now can find both modern or traditional energy efficient LED lights to enhance both the form and function of the room.

ChooseURcolor.com Beautiful Custom Color Art Achieve that perfect look in your home with custom color art. Now you can have beautiful art painted by acclaimed artist in the right color that elevates brings your room together a punch of artful color that. It arrives ready to hang. Choose a small or large piece in the right color for your living room, bed room or bathroom. What ever the color or your room we have a gallery of art and this year’s top trending accent colors to choose from. Have a beige room and would like sky blue accent art? Choose from our black and white gallery of art painted by acclaimed artist A. Tarman then choose your sky blue accent color. See the painting transforms into a sky blue painting. Within 6 day you receive your sky blue painting, ready to hang art on 1.5" wooden stretch bars with wire on back. Tarman is always painting and adding new art. Give us your email and we will send you the new art as it becomes available plus we will immediately send you “how to pick color. “ One small change can make the biggest difference in how your room looks and feels when you walk in. Plus art is a conversation starter and enviable to own. Each piece is limited edition so only 125 will ever be printed. Go to ChooseURcolor.com to get your beautiful custom color art. Give us suggestions on the kind of art you would like to see at info@andreatarmanart.com

Marble Mosaic Tile shower remodel is designed with elegance in mind. From the marble diamond shaped marble mosaic tiles intricately placed in shower niche as well as elaborately displayed behind the shower fixtures. In addition, to the 8×24 marble-look porcelain tiles running up the shower walls surround the porcelain hexagon shower floor tiles. Finalized with Granite pony wall top, granite niche, and threshold surrounding the glass door. This master bath remodel is luxurious and will be enjoyed for years to come. Marble Mosaic tile accents in addition to Marble-look tiles complete in Client Project Shower Remodel Project ~ Thank you for sharing! Planning and designing shower remodels with mosaic tiles adds striking features to any shower or tub remodel. Choosing to add a stylish mosaic tile to a shower niche or the addition of surrounding the shower fixtures as shown are two elements that are not only striking, but elegant in design. In addition, choose to run a mosaic accent tile down the full length of the shower wall for a waterfall effect drawing the eye. Choose to run a traditional horizontal line across the walls is a beautiful addition. Furthermore, choosing from a traditional threshold shower design shown to a curbless or zero-entry shower for aging in place and simpler cleaning. Purchasing Schluter Shower-systems makes designing a shower simple, easy, and waterproof. In addition, to shelves, grates and tile edge profiles available. Remember to add granite or quartz for shelves, niches, benches, and threshold or pony wall tops. With so many options stop in to ask an expert bathroom designer regarding your next bathroom remodel or renovation design options. Large selection of samples available in marble mosaics and accent tiles. In addition, to marble-look tiles located at our showroom. Stop in and check out samples today. Find your locally owned Home Improvement Store, French Creek Designs, on MeWe or Facebook, and follow us! Read more about our process and read regular updates on client projects and updated materials selections and choices at FCD News a reliable source of information and current trends.

The Provence Dining Set by Keystone Collections is crafted using the skills of artisans in the local Pennsylvania community. When you debate about quality, Keystone Collections is as good as it gets. We can even claim the Keystone Collections produces the greatest quality solid wood furniture in America and beyond! No wonder why the offer a “Lifetime Guarantee” on every purchase. King Dinettes is you premiere Keystone Collections dealer. Our Keystone Collections Dining Sets are a family heirloom purchase for generations! • 100% Solid Cherry, Maple, or Oak • Choose Your Table Size and Shape • Choose Your Wood Color Combo. • Amish-made in the USA • “Lifetime Guarantee” registered on all products sold!The Provence Dining Set by Keystone Collections is crafted using the skills of artisans in the local Pennsylvania community. When you debate about quality, Keystone Collections is as good as it gets. We can even claim the Keystone Collections produces the greatest quality solid wood furniture in America and beyond! No wonder why the offer a “Lifetime Guarantee” on every purchase. King Dinettes is you premiere Keystone Collections dealer. Our Keystone Collections Dining Sets are a family heirloom purchase for generations! • 100% Solid Cherry, Maple, or Oak • Choose Your Table Size and Shape • Choose Your Wood Color Combo. • Amish-made in the USA • “Lifetime Guarantee” registered on all products sold!

Locally-made, from all natural and eco-friendly materials, including sustainably-farmed hardwood, no glues, low-VOC paint; and this space-saving custom-built cabinet doubles as a dog bed (see next photo). When we choose to go green, we are choosing to live healthier and lower our impact on the environment. We are choosing to live more authentically. And as many parents and parents-to-be are aware, we are choosing to create a non-toxic environment for our children, including our canine children, to grow up in. Photo by Eric Rorer.

Terren Landscapes http://www.terrenlandscapes.com 2014 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner Category: Residential $60,000-$120,000 Award Level: Silver Project Description: We were contracted by the family to create a master plan for the property. They were experiencing extreme drainage and erosion problems due to the surrounding properties’ drastic grade changes. Erosion had caused the rear lawn to sink in various areas and the existing rear patio spaces were failing. The client wanted to rebuild their patios and walkways, repave their driveway and give their home more visual appeal. Most importantly, they wanted an environmentally friendly solution. Our design solution was to create a rain garden that would slow storm water runoff, allow for percolation, and promote infiltration, while permitting excess clean water to enter the storm drain at the street with slower velocity. The rain garden acts as a temporary holding space that allows the earth to slowly absorb water, rather than overwhelm the nearby storm drain. Our first objective was to conduct a percolation test to determine the amount of clay soil that needed to be removed before reaching the sandy loam layer. A percolation test and storm water calculations were generated to accommodate a 1” rain event. Based on our calculations and the small size of the property, we determined a depth of 18” was necessary for optimal holding capacity. We removed 18” of clay soil until a layer of sandy loam was encountered. Next, the soil was amended with compost and sand to create a highly porous planting media for the basin of the garden. We piped the three existing rear downspouts to the rain garden area to capture for infiltration and alleviate runoff throughout the rear lawn and patio space. We installed an 18” wide over-flow standpipe at a 24” depth into the ground that outlets to a stone swale that carries the water to the property edge. As an added means of holding the maximum amount of water, we designed the standpipe to sit 14” above grade. The height of this standpipe allows this rain garden to capture 14” of water before reaching the overflow capacity. We placed geotextile fabric to help reduce migration of the stones into the soil and aid in the prevention of weeds and erosion. We heavily planted the rain garden to further aid in absorption and to attract local wildlife. A native plant palette of butterfly weed, Panicum, Joe-Pye weed, and asters form a colorful backdrop while the basin was filled with obligate wetland plants such as royal ferns, irises and cardinal flowers. The upper edges in the foreground are planted with Echinacea, Rudbeckia and Monarda, satisfying the local bird community and adding bright seasonal colors. This garden effectively collects and cleanses rainwater while creating a habitat for birds, frogs, and butterflies. Our next challenge was to redesign the existing patios and walkways without increasing impervious surfaces. According to township regulations this property was currently at its maximum capacity, therefore we designed the front and rear patios with a slightly smaller footprint to decrease their existing impervious surfaces. New planting beds were designed throughout the entire property. Plants were chosen that were tolerant of specific site conditions. For the rear yard, we choose a backdrop of witch hazel and hollies to provide an evergreen screen as well as early spring color. We placed hydrangea throughout to add summer color. We planted ostrich fern under the existing spruce tree to create a lush floor. This area became an additional backdrop for the rain garden as well as a screen for the neighboring property. We choose a combination of ‘Blue Star’ juniper and creeping jenny to soften the existing rear wall with creepers. Around the rear patio areas we choose a combination of Liatris, Rudbeckia and ‘Lo and Behold’ butterfly bush. This combination of plants works in harmony with the rain garden and attracts additional butterflies. For the front of the property we worked with an existing Japanese maple that provided dense shade. We choose a shade-tolerant combination of Heuchera, Astilbe, ferns and hostas for this area. We added more hydrangeas to the front foundation of the house to provide lush layering of plant material and visual interest with additional summer blooms. Overall, we were able to exceed the client’s needs and expectations in transforming their property into a colorful paradise that attracts wildlife from season to season. The plant palette provides seasonal interest and the rain garden has successfully decreased storm water runoff. The new hardscape surfaces were designed and built with a slightly smaller footprint to decrease impervious surfaces. This project is a positive example of how all properties, regardless of size, can make an ecological difference by decreasing impervious surfaces and maintaining proper storm water management. Photo Credit: Terren Landscapes

Terren Landscapes http://www.terrenlandscapes.com 2014 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner Category: Residential $60,000-$120,000 Award Level: Silver Project Description: We were contracted by the family to create a master plan for the property. They were experiencing extreme drainage and erosion problems due to the surrounding properties’ drastic grade changes. Erosion had caused the rear lawn to sink in various areas and the existing rear patio spaces were failing. The client wanted to rebuild their patios and walkways, repave their driveway and give their home more visual appeal. Most importantly, they wanted an environmentally friendly solution. Our design solution was to create a rain garden that would slow storm water runoff, allow for percolation, and promote infiltration, while permitting excess clean water to enter the storm drain at the street with slower velocity. The rain garden acts as a temporary holding space that allows the earth to slowly absorb water, rather than overwhelm the nearby storm drain. Our first objective was to conduct a percolation test to determine the amount of clay soil that needed to be removed before reaching the sandy loam layer. A percolation test and storm water calculations were generated to accommodate a 1” rain event. Based on our calculations and the small size of the property, we determined a depth of 18” was necessary for optimal holding capacity. We removed 18” of clay soil until a layer of sandy loam was encountered. Next, the soil was amended with compost and sand to create a highly porous planting media for the basin of the garden. We piped the three existing rear downspouts to the rain garden area to capture for infiltration and alleviate runoff throughout the rear lawn and patio space. We installed an 18” wide over-flow standpipe at a 24” depth into the ground that outlets to a stone swale that carries the water to the property edge. As an added means of holding the maximum amount of water, we designed the standpipe to sit 14” above grade. The height of this standpipe allows this rain garden to capture 14” of water before reaching the overflow capacity. We placed geotextile fabric to help reduce migration of the stones into the soil and aid in the prevention of weeds and erosion. We heavily planted the rain garden to further aid in absorption and to attract local wildlife. A native plant palette of butterfly weed, Panicum, Joe-Pye weed, and asters form a colorful backdrop while the basin was filled with obligate wetland plants such as royal ferns, irises and cardinal flowers. The upper edges in the foreground are planted with Echinacea, Rudbeckia and Monarda, satisfying the local bird community and adding bright seasonal colors. This garden effectively collects and cleanses rainwater while creating a habitat for birds, frogs, and butterflies. Our next challenge was to redesign the existing patios and walkways without increasing impervious surfaces. According to township regulations this property was currently at its maximum capacity, therefore we designed the front and rear patios with a slightly smaller footprint to decrease their existing impervious surfaces. New planting beds were designed throughout the entire property. Plants were chosen that were tolerant of specific site conditions. For the rear yard, we choose a backdrop of witch hazel and hollies to provide an evergreen screen as well as early spring color. We placed hydrangea throughout to add summer color. We planted ostrich fern under the existing spruce tree to create a lush floor. This area became an additional backdrop for the rain garden as well as a screen for the neighboring property. We choose a combination of ‘Blue Star’ juniper and creeping jenny to soften the existing rear wall with creepers. Around the rear patio areas we choose a combination of Liatris, Rudbeckia and ‘Lo and Behold’ butterfly bush. This combination of plants works in harmony with the rain garden and attracts additional butterflies. For the front of the property we worked with an existing Japanese maple that provided dense shade. We choose a shade-tolerant combination of Heuchera, Astilbe, ferns and hostas for this area. We added more hydrangeas to the front foundation of the house to provide lush layering of plant material and visual interest with additional summer blooms. Overall, we were able to exceed the client’s needs and expectations in transforming their property into a colorful paradise that attracts wildlife from season to season. The plant palette provides seasonal interest and the rain garden has successfully decreased storm water runoff. The new hardscape surfaces were designed and built with a slightly smaller footprint to decrease impervious surfaces. This project is a positive example of how all properties, regardless of size, can make an ecological difference by decreasing impervious surfaces and maintaining proper storm water management. Photo Credit: Terren Landscapes

Time to choose spring bulbs! Nothing says "welcome to spring" like the blooms of tulips, daffodils and hyacinth. Do you envision a landscape full of vibrant color come springtime? We know it's a bit cool and rainy out, but now is the time to choose a bulb color palette and schedule a time to for us to plant. For the most dynamic display, we recommend planting tulips in either complimentary colors such as purple and yellow, or in monochromatic colors such as tulips in shades of dark to pale pink. White tulips make a sophisticated statement when combined with silver dusty miller and white alyssum. Prefer the unexpected? Orange and pink tulips make for a spunky fun display. If you're looking to go bold in a regal sort of way, you can choose combinations of black, deep red, and magenta. Got a favorite color? We’ll find you a bulb to match! Read our blog to learn more about choosing and planting spring bulbs. http://www.roundtreelandscaping.com/index.php/for-blog-posts-on-seperate-page/66-landscaping/200-time-to-choose-spring-bulbs Photo: Roundtree Landscaping

This is an example of a transitional landscaping in Boston.

Living room - contemporary living room idea in Mumbai

If there is one big mistake that homeowners make when carrying out the decoration tasks of their interior design project, that would be over-accessorising. Indeed, experts in interior design in Singapore agree that there are styles where “more is more,” and there are also those where “less is more.” While as a homeowner you may choose either of these two style directions, you should first think about the different aspects of interior design and make sure that your style choice fits with these elements. Not doing so may not only result to a poorly executed renovation, but a home that you will find uncomfortable to live in. So how do you avoid the tendency of over-accessorising? You may want to follow these pieces of advice coming from professionals in interior design in Singapore: Mistake #1: Using the same fabric on almost all surfaces. It is common practice among most homeowners to use almost the same fabric on all table surfaces, and sometimes even on sofa covers and drapes. Indeed, this can be cost effective, but it does not contribute to the development of the home’s overall design. This is because there are fabrics are created to meet specific purposes. For example, lace is often used as table runners, as they give more definition and style to these specific furniture pieces. However, they do not do your windows any favours when used as curtains. Opaque and heavy fabrics are often intended for curtains and drapes for rooms that require more privacy; in contrast, sheer and fabric materials are more suited for living room windows as they allow natural light and ventilation to move around the house. Mistake #2: Placing more accents than you actually need. Another mistake which homeowners are prone to make when decorating their home is placing more accents than needed. There are homes you can see side tables that are overpopulated with picture frames, trinkets, and fancy souvenirs that do not have any connection to each other. Sometimes, you can find numerous throw pillows occupying almost the entire sofa, to the point that all the seats are already occupied. These are classic examples of “fear of empty spaces,” which is prevalent in most Asian societies, and even in some Western countries. But while it is common practice to occupy empty spaces, you may also want to think about what to do with the space first. Instead of piling up all your memorabilia in the side tables of your bedroom or living room, why not use a tiered stand so that they can be presented in an organised manner? You may also want to choose a designated area for your trinkets, such as a wall or an unoccupied corner in your room. Mistake #3: Overdoing the lighting fixtures. Some homeowners want to imitate the homes of the celebrities they see on TV, and apart from following the same colour schemes and choice of furniture, they also choose to add more lights in their rooms than necessary. Well, you should understand that the purpose of lighting fixtures is to illuminate the rooms of the house, but this doesn’t mean that you have to brighten up your home all the time. You may want to use lamps that spread the light across the room, rather than several smaller bulbs. The latter only lights up specific parts of the room, and when all these bulbs are lit simultaneously, they only spike up your electric bill. It would be better to choose lighting fixtures according to your need and the function of the room. Doing so not only illuminates your home properly, but also creates an ambiance that gives you the comfort you are looking for in a dwelling space.