Swamp Lily / Crinum americanum Photo: Bob Petersen, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic

Design ideas for a traditional landscaping for spring.

Photo: F. D. Richards, via Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic American Elderberry / Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis

This couple came to us as newly transplanted homeowners in Sterling, MA, uprooted from Rochester, MA so they could be closer to their growing family and granddaughter. The former kitchen was a bit of a “Plain Jane”, but we transformed it into a charming, modern country farmhouse kitchen. The custom paint color on the cabinets came from a Wood-Mode sample called “Agate.” This lovely paint color is a chameleon, ranging from gray/green, to a beautiful blue hue depending on the lighting conditions. The uniqueness of this color is what caught the homeowner’s eye and it has become a customer favorite. This Sterling home is the perfect setting for such a beautiful color! As a trained chef and former restaurant owner, the husband does all the cooking in the house. Ample room was needed for prepping and serving, so he loves the long, wide peninsula. A full-height quartz backsplash behind the range and sink make for easy clean up. Very deep drawers flank both sides of the range, and the top drawer has special storage for spices. The cabinet over the refrigerator has vertical partitions for both cookie sheets, trays and pans. A tall pantry to the right of the refrigerator is equipped with heavy duty wood rollouts perfect for storing dry goods. Conveniently located to the right of the sink is a double trash cabinet. The end of the peninsula also has a 27” wide cabinet with dual rollouts storing small appliances, casserole dishes & Tupperware. The new space has plenty of room for prepping, cooking and entertaining family and guests in the adjacent dining room. Stepping outside the “white & gray” of common paints into this beautiful custom color has delighted these customers and their friends. We find it both inviting and soothing, a cool color that will be stylish for years to come! BRAND: Brighton Cabinetry DOOR STYLE: Thompson FINISH: Custom Paint Match - Wood-Mode “Agate” COUNTERTOP: “Matterhorn” Hanstone Quartz HARDWARE: Top Knobs TK824HB Pulls, TK832HB Knobs DESIGNER: Ruth Bergstrom PHOTOS: Baumgart Creative Media

This 1960 house was in need of updating from both design and performance standpoints, and the project turned into a comprehensive deep energy retrofit, with thorough airtightness and insulation, new space conditioning and energy-recovery-ventilation, triple glazed windows, and an interior of incredible elegance. While we maintained the foundation and overall massing, this is essentially a new house, well equipped for a new generation of use and enjoyment.

Beautifully renovated 2 bedroom 2 bath condo with private terrace and parking in desirable elevator building. This well-appointed rear facing condo (1457 sq ft includes terrace) features open living area with custom built-ins, gas fireplace, surround sound and bamboo floors throughout. Newer chef’s kitchen with stunning cabinets, stainless steel appliances and granite counters. Oversized master bedroom with custom closets and en-suite marble bath as well as spacious 2nd bedroom, Other amenities include central air conditioning, full size laundry, custom closets throughout, video intercom, ceiling fans, crown molding, blinds and shades. Building features common yard, roof deck and bike storage. Close to NYC bus, PATH and shopping.

Beautifully renovated 2 bedroom 2 bath condo with private terrace and parking in desirable elevator building. This well-appointed rear facing condo (1457 sq ft includes terrace) features open living area with custom built-ins, gas fireplace, surround sound and bamboo floors throughout. Newer chef’s kitchen with stunning cabinets, stainless steel appliances and granite counters. Oversized master bedroom with custom closets and en-suite marble bath as well as spacious 2nd bedroom, Other amenities include central air conditioning, full size laundry, custom closets throughout, video intercom, ceiling fans, crown molding, blinds and shades. Building features common yard, roof deck and bike storage. Close to NYC bus, PATH and shopping.

Beautifully renovated 2 bedroom 2 bath condo with private terrace and parking in desirable elevator building. This well-appointed rear facing condo (1457 sq ft includes terrace) features open living area with custom built-ins, gas fireplace, surround sound and bamboo floors throughout. Newer chef’s kitchen with stunning cabinets, stainless steel appliances and granite counters. Oversized master bedroom with custom closets and en-suite marble bath as well as spacious 2nd bedroom, Other amenities include central air conditioning, full size laundry, custom closets throughout, video intercom, ceiling fans, crown molding, blinds and shades. Building features common yard, roof deck and bike storage. Close to NYC bus, PATH and shopping.

Beautifully renovated 2 bedroom 2 bath condo with private terrace and parking in desirable elevator building. This well-appointed rear facing condo (1457 sq ft includes terrace) features open living area with custom built-ins, gas fireplace, surround sound and bamboo floors throughout. Newer chef’s kitchen with stunning cabinets, stainless steel appliances and granite counters. Oversized master bedroom with custom closets and en-suite marble bath as well as spacious 2nd bedroom, Other amenities include central air conditioning, full size laundry, custom closets throughout, video intercom, ceiling fans, crown molding, blinds and shades. Building features common yard, roof deck and bike storage. Close to NYC bus, PATH and shopping.

Beautifully renovated 2 bedroom 2 bath condo with private terrace and parking in desirable elevator building. This well-appointed rear facing condo (1457 sq ft includes terrace) features open living area with custom built-ins, gas fireplace, surround sound and bamboo floors throughout. Newer chef’s kitchen with stunning cabinets, stainless steel appliances and granite counters. Oversized master bedroom with custom closets and en-suite marble bath as well as spacious 2nd bedroom, Other amenities include central air conditioning, full size laundry, custom closets throughout, video intercom, ceiling fans, crown molding, blinds and shades. Building features common yard, roof deck and bike storage. Close to NYC bus, PATH and shopping.

Tom Pawlesh photo, used by permission.

This couple came to us as newly transplanted homeowners in Sterling, MA, uprooted from Rochester, MA so they could be closer to their growing family and granddaughter. The former kitchen was a bit of a “Plain Jane”, but we transformed it into a charming, modern country farmhouse kitchen. The custom paint color on the cabinets came from a Wood-Mode sample called “Agate.” This lovely paint color is a chameleon, ranging from gray/green, to a beautiful blue hue depending on the lighting conditions. The uniqueness of this color is what caught the homeowner’s eye and it has become a customer favorite. This Sterling home is the perfect setting for such a beautiful color! As a trained chef and former restaurant owner, the husband does all the cooking in the house. Ample room was needed for prepping and serving, so he loves the long, wide peninsula. A full-height quartz backsplash behind the range and sink make for easy clean up. Very deep drawers flank both sides of the range, and the top drawer has special storage for spices. The cabinet over the refrigerator has vertical partitions for both cookie sheets, trays and pans. A tall pantry to the right of the refrigerator is equipped with heavy duty wood rollouts perfect for storing dry goods. Conveniently located to the right of the sink is a double trash cabinet. The end of the peninsula also has a 27” wide cabinet with dual rollouts storing small appliances, casserole dishes & Tupperware. The new space has plenty of room for prepping, cooking and entertaining family and guests in the adjacent dining room. Stepping outside the “white & gray” of common paints into this beautiful custom color has delighted these customers and their friends. We find it both inviting and soothing, a cool color that will be stylish for years to come! BRAND: Brighton Cabinetry DOOR STYLE: Thompson FINISH: Custom Paint Match - Wood-Mode “Agate” COUNTERTOP: “Matterhorn” Hanstone Quartz HARDWARE: Top Knobs TK824HB Pulls, TK832HB Knobs DESIGNER: Ruth Bergstrom PHOTOS: Baumgart Creative Media

Choosing the right soil starts with knowing where you are going to use it. Potting soil is designed for containers, raised bed soil is formulated for raised gardens, and garden or bed-building soil is intended for in-ground or landscape applications. While the products may look similar, they are designed for different growing environments. Using the right soil can give plants a better foundation and help gardeners avoid a common mistake: assuming that one type of soil works equally well everywhere. For gardeners in Houston and throughout Texas, where heat, heavy rain, drought and challenging native soils can all affect growing conditions, choosing the right soil for the job is particularly important.

Beautifully renovated 2 bedroom 2 bath condo with private terrace and parking in desirable elevator building. This well-appointed rear facing condo (1457 sq ft includes terrace) features open living area with custom built-ins, gas fireplace, surround sound and bamboo floors throughout. Newer chef’s kitchen with stunning cabinets, stainless steel appliances and granite counters. Oversized master bedroom with custom closets and en-suite marble bath as well as spacious 2nd bedroom, Other amenities include central air conditioning, full size laundry, custom closets throughout, video intercom, ceiling fans, crown molding, blinds and shades. Building features common yard, roof deck and bike storage. Close to NYC bus, PATH and shopping.

Beautifully renovated 2 bedroom 2 bath condo with private terrace and parking in desirable elevator building. This well-appointed rear facing condo (1457 sq ft includes terrace) features open living area with custom built-ins, gas fireplace, surround sound and bamboo floors throughout. Newer chef’s kitchen with stunning cabinets, stainless steel appliances and granite counters. Oversized master bedroom with custom closets and en-suite marble bath as well as spacious 2nd bedroom, Other amenities include central air conditioning, full size laundry, custom closets throughout, video intercom, ceiling fans, crown molding, blinds and shades. Building features common yard, roof deck and bike storage. Close to NYC bus, PATH and shopping.

Choosing the right soil starts with knowing where you are going to use it. Potting soil is designed for containers, raised bed soil is formulated for raised gardens, and garden or bed-building soil is intended for in-ground or landscape applications. While the products may look similar, they are designed for different growing environments. Using the right soil can give plants a better foundation and help gardeners avoid a common mistake: assuming that one type of soil works equally well everywhere. For gardeners in Houston and throughout Texas, where heat, heavy rain, drought and challenging native soils can all affect growing conditions, choosing the right soil for the job is particularly important.

Beautifully renovated 2 bedroom 2 bath condo with private terrace and parking in desirable elevator building. This well-appointed rear facing condo (1457 sq ft includes terrace) features open living area with custom built-ins, gas fireplace, surround sound and bamboo floors throughout. Newer chef’s kitchen with stunning cabinets, stainless steel appliances and granite counters. Oversized master bedroom with custom closets and en-suite marble bath as well as spacious 2nd bedroom, Other amenities include central air conditioning, full size laundry, custom closets throughout, video intercom, ceiling fans, crown molding, blinds and shades. Building features common yard, roof deck and bike storage. Close to NYC bus, PATH and shopping.

Beautifully renovated 2 bedroom 2 bath condo with private terrace and parking in desirable elevator building. This well-appointed rear facing condo (1457 sq ft includes terrace) features open living area with custom built-ins, gas fireplace, surround sound and bamboo floors throughout. Newer chef’s kitchen with stunning cabinets, stainless steel appliances and granite counters. Oversized master bedroom with custom closets and en-suite marble bath as well as spacious 2nd bedroom, Other amenities include central air conditioning, full size laundry, custom closets throughout, video intercom, ceiling fans, crown molding, blinds and shades. Building features common yard, roof deck and bike storage. Close to NYC bus, PATH and shopping.