The Plantation just might be the perfect manufactured woodburning fireplace. 48” wide and an astounding 42” tall with slant back design. But perhaps most impressive, it includes a hearth floor that’s only 1 ½ inches above the ground. It’s the only UL 127 fireplace with a flush floor finish like the highest quality traditional masonry fireplaces. The Plantation uses Mosaic Masonry firebrick “splits” in a custom herringbone pattern for a naturally rich, custom look. Features Radiant design with a 42" tall opening to provide an exceptional view of the fire Tall “Rumford” design with pitched rear wall for maximum radiant heat output Flush hearth floor design (hearth spacer required for combustible floor installations) Massive smoke dome for reliable operation Fully insulated firebox for increased performance in colder climates Split brick herringbone pattern in ivory or warm red Heavy duty cast iron log grate with rugged forged andirons Easy access damper control Dual (left hand/right hand) outside air kits available for maximum performance Uses IHP 12 DM (1700º) double wall air cooled wood burning chimney Uses IHP 12 HT (2100º) heavy gauge double wall air cooled wood burning chimney, recommended for cold climates (required for Canada) 20 Year Limited Warranty MOSAIC MASONRY™ Astria’s patented Mosaic Masonry™ features real firebrick finished interiors, with no visible sheet metal for the authentic richness and beauty of a custom, site-built masonry fireplace.

Architect: Sarah Susanka, FAIA, while at Mulfinger, Susanka, Mahady & Partners; Photo by Charles Bickford, courtesy of Taunton Press
Exterior home idea in Raleigh

Located in Taneatua, south of Whakatane, the Tuhoe building has been designed by Jasmax and built by Arrow International for the local iwi, Tuhoe, as part of a Living Building Challenge. Their iconic new headquarters is now one of New Zealand’s most advanced sustainable buildings – built to have virtually no environmental impact.

Living room - contemporary open concept living room idea in Miami with no fireplace

This glass wine box sits off a well-appointed dining room area allowing for the homeowner to showoff an impressive wine collection with style. Fully climate controlled, featuring metal VintageView wine racking systems. The cellar holds 720 bottles.

This amazing hardwood is build for the most challenging of climates! Although available in 6" 7"& 8" wide planks as seen here, the meticulous construction provides excellent dimensional stability and a durable surface that easily stands up to normal wear while offering an exquisite finish. With the large open layout in this home, the soft tones and wide planks really help to warm the space up and add just enough coziness to keep this expansive space from feeling industrial or clinical. Great blend on tone and texture!

By Design I WANT THAT Wednesday feature of the week . . .ATTENTION ALL WINE LOVERS! One of the features that I find on most of my custom home clients "I WANT THAT" list is a wine cellar. Whether you're a collector or just like to keep a few nice bottles around for a special occasion, there's a wine cellar solution to fit any style or budget. Here are some of my favs . . .

This backyard patio design is inspired by our Blu 60 Slate patio slab. The best-selling Blu slate patio slab was inspired by natural slate stone. This traditional patio stone comes in multiple sizes for your backyard pool decks, patios & walkways. The same lines and rugged texture as our thicker Blu paver, the same opulent colors and traditional look, Blu 60 Slate slab is the choice for pedestrian areas such as on walkways and patios. Check out our website to shop the look! https://www.techo-bloc.com/shop/slabs/blu-60-slate/

Photo: Lauren Edith Anderson © 2016 Houzz
Example of a classic home design design in San Francisco

This retaining wall project in inspired by our Travertina Raw stone. The Travertina Raw collection has been extended to a double-sided, segmental retaining wall system. This product mimics the texture of natural travertine in a concrete material for wall blocks. Build outdoor raised planters, outdoor kitchens, seating benches and more with this wall block. This product line has enjoyed huge success and has now been improved with an ultra robust mix design, making it far more durable than the natural alternative. This is a perfect solution in freeze-thaw climates. Check out our website to shop the look! https://www.techo-bloc.com/shop/walls/travertina-raw/

Photo of a large partial sun backyard gravel landscaping in San Francisco.

Living room with automation to control lighting, audio, climate, video, and shades.
Example of a living room design in Edmonton

This Tuscan-style wine cellar in Blue Bell, PA is centered around the rustic bricks and fireplace façade, with enough climate-controlled storage space for thousands of bottles that are inventoried via computer. Design and Construction by Meridian.

Located in the outskirts of Alajuela, Coyol is a humid weather area full of lush green land-scapes and stunning views. The clients were looking for a house able to integrate public areas, front, and backyard within one single space. Twix House is conceptualized by two main curved dynamic shapes, which create one whole. Two twin L-shaped volumes are looking to opposite sides: sunrise facade and sunset facade, resulting in an S-shaped form of the entire house. Both contain the main and secondary bedrooms of the house, giving them unique views of the Central Valley mountains. The main access entrance opens onto a double height lobby, crossed by the bridge in the center, and a curved staircase to the left. The main public area has a double height space, which is an open plan, containing the living room, dining room, and a kitchen. These spaces are connected by slid-ing doors that lead to the terrace, becoming a key element of the house, transforming the social areas and allowing for direct communication between indoor and outdoor spaces. The private areas of the house are located on the second floor: two bedrooms and a second living room. These are connected by a third volume, which is an interior bridge, articulating the house and integrating all the downstairs and upstairs areas together. Due to the particularities of the climate zone, a special attention had to be paid to ensuring that the house remains fresh. Therefore, as a part of the process, different passive design strategies for tropical climate areas were implemented. For instance, the roof of the bridge overlaps the rest of the roof creating a gap, which acts as a monitor letting the hot air leave. Apart from that, the orientation of the building allows for cross ventilation to take place, resulting in cool and refreshing temperatures in-doors, despite the daily tropical heat.

Luxury Laundry Room Wallpaper Installation in Camas, WA Elevate your laundry space with premium wallpaper installation designed for Camas homes. We specialize in creating Pacific Northwest-inspired laundry rooms that blend Pacific Northwest beauty with high-performance materials to withstand our humid climate. Why Camas Homeowners Love Our Laundry Wallpaper: ✔ PNW-Proof Materials – Mold/mildew-resistant vinyl wallpapers ✔ Rustic Elegance – Nature-inspired designs perfect for Camas style ✔ Space-Enhancing Magic – Makes small laundry rooms feel open and airy ✔ Durable & Washable – Stands up to kids, pets, and laundry day messes Popular Camas Laundry Room Styles: ? Evergreen Elegance – Fir tree silhouettes or mountain landscapes ? Modern Farmhouse – Shiplap-effect or linen-look textures ? Pacific Mist – Soft gray-blue ombrés and watercolor washes ? Columbia Gorge – Autumn leaf patterns or river-inspired designs Our Camas-Specific Services Include: ✅ Humidity-Tested Installation – Special adhesives for our damp climate ✅ Appliance-Fit Precision – Perfect cuts around your washer/dryer ✅ Peel-and-Stick Options – Great for rentals or temporary updates ✅ Complete Wall Prep – Fixing imperfections before installation The Camas Advantage: • Local Design Expertise – We understand PNW aesthetics • Quick 1-Day Service – Minimal disruption to your routine • Eco-Friendly Options – Low-VOC materials available Serving: Downtown Camas, Prune Hill, Lacamas Shores & surrounding areas

Winter magic in the sleeping garden is visible through the glass-paneled deck. Winter lasts approximately 5 months in Ottawa, as it has a severe Continental climate (USDA zones 4/5; Canada zones 5b/6a). A landscape designer who understands this climate is a must! Hidden under a blanket of snow are the outlines of composite wood chairs and tables, which stay outdoors, whatever the weather. Photo credit: M A Jaworski Landscape Design

Contemporary reach in climate controlled wine cellar added to a dining room wall.
Inspiration for a contemporary wine cellar remodel in Charlotte

Designing an object was accompanied by certain difficulties. The owners bought a plot on which there was already a house. Its quality and appearance did not suit customers in any way. Moreover, the construction of a house from scratch was not even discussed, so the architects Vitaly Dorokhov and Tatyana Dmitrenko had to take the existing skeleton as a basis. During the reconstruction, the protruding glass volume was demolished, some structural elements of the facade were simplified. The number of storeys was increased and the height of the roof was increased. As a result, the building took the form of a real English home, as customers wanted. The planning decision was dictated by the terms of reference. And the number of people living in the house. Therefore, in terms of the house acquired 400 m \ 2 extra. The entire engineering structure and heating system were completely redone. Heating of the house comes from wells and the Ecokolt system. The climate system of the house itself is integrated into the relay control system that constantly maintains the climate and humidity in the house.

On a historic ranch by a pristine fly-fishing river, this mountain home integrates into its natural wild surroundings. Sandstone paver paths wind through grasses and colorful wildflowers while native river boulders punctuate the gardens. Care was taken to design this landscape for easy maintenance in a harsh climate. Generous stone steps invite exploration of the cool Montana evenings via paths that connect to the larger ranch trail network.