Trillium Ovatum / Pacific Trillium Photo: brewbooks, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic Woodland garden in Seattle
Photo of a landscaping in Other.

There are an infinite number of possible designs, and outdoor fire pits no longer need to be just a round pile of rocks. I work with several basic styles of gas fed fire pits when I design outdoor gardens to enchant my clients. The popularity of fire pits and the fire effects they produce in the garden is one of fastest growing trends in outdoor design. The allure of sitting around a fire ring has been around since the beginning of mankind. Fire provides warmth, light, a cooking source and, of course relaxation. A dancing flame has a mesmerizing affect that encourages you to unwind and settle in. The popularity of fire pits, or conversation pits as they are commonly called, has grown rapidly in recent years. Proper design and construction will ensure a safe and enjoyable feature that will last several decades This fully equipped outdoor kitchen is separate from the rest of the living space, allowing the two areas to be utilized entirely on their own. outdoor kitchens are most efficient when it's zoned into logical uses. your cook space should have plenty of prep space, room to set down utensils and stage ingredients, and a comfortable buffer from the seating island to keep guests protected from the heat.

Treve Johnson
Example of a mid-sized arts and crafts wooden staircase design in San Francisco with wooden risers

Indian Pink and Foamflower planted in a border in Haymarket, VA. Photo and design by Lea Wolf/Lush Life Landscapes, used with permission.
Inspiration for a landscaping in Other.

Karen knecht Photography
Large traditional beige two-story brick exterior home idea in Chicago with a hip roof

This grand 2 story open foyer has an eye catching curved staircase with a patterned carpet runner, dark treads and dark stained handrail. A round center hall walnut table graces the space and is visually balanced by the orb "globe" style hanging pendant fixture above it. The patterned oval rug plays homage to the coffered ceiling above and aids in bringing ones eye up to this beautifully designed space. The dining room's decorative ceiling pattern is mimicked by the oval center hall rug. Bronze colored large lanterns grace the dining room and create a visually exciting light source over the dining room table. Dining room shaded wall sconces give additional ambient lighting. 2nd level shows paneled wainscot walls, and nickel shaded wall sconces along warm cream colored walls. Philadelphia Magazine August 2014 issue to showcase its beauty and excellence. Photo by Alicia's Art, LLC RUDLOFF Custom Builders, is a residential construction company that connects with clients early in the design phase to ensure every detail of your project is captured just as you imagined. RUDLOFF Custom Builders will create the project of your dreams that is executed by on-site project managers and skilled craftsman, while creating lifetime client relationships that are build on trust and integrity. We are a full service, certified remodeling company that covers all of the Philadelphia suburban area including West Chester, Gladwynne, Malvern, Wayne, Haverford and more. As a 6 time Best of Houzz winner, we look forward to working with you on your next project.

This project is more than meets the eye! In a gorgeous neighborhood in Del Mar, San Diego, California, This unique small custom wine cellar truly acts as a showstopper. Originally within this house, the door which now faces outward used to be around the corner in a small hallway, virtually eliminating any visibility into this contemporary walk in custom wine cellar. Upon seeing the location of this space within the house, Gene Walder and the knowledgeable team at Vintage Cellars knew that to really take advantage of the room provided, (which is actually below the stairs), they needed to get rid of the original door and add a brand new one facing the main living space. Just a small feat in a series of unique custom features within this cellar! Here at Vintage Cellars, before any design takes shape, it is vital to understand what the clients wants and needs are based on their growing collection of wine. With a good idea of bottle sizes, shapes (some pinot noir bottles, for example have a wider bottom than a typical cabernet sauvignon bottle) and unique features desired, the team of wine cellar designers and wine cellar builders at Vintage Cellars are able to create a very special and desirable wine cellar for each client. The owners of this beautiful home collaborated heavily with the Vintage Cellars team in the design process of this rustic custom wine cellar - something that we aim to do with every project. The homeowners wanted to showcase some of their favorite Magnum sized bottles in a high reveal horizontal display row, directly on top of another area highlighting the best 750 ml's in their collection. This small custom wine room fills most of the left wall with single deep, individual bottle storage. Directly below this wine racking is room for wine case / wine bin storage. Centered within this wall is a nice space for opening and decanting wines with a gorgeous dark stone countertop and room for hanging wine glasses above. The opposite wall is filled floor to ceiling with label revealing horizontal display rows. Again, this type of feature is very desirable in recent years. Homeowners want to be able to showcase the best bottles they own within their custom wine cellars in the most stunning and beautiful ways possible. Additionally, this feature is commonly replicated with metal bars for a more contemporary and modern look and feel. Within Beach Cities such as Del Mar, La Jolla, Cardiff, Coronado, Rancho Santa Fe, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Newport Beach and Orange County alike, small walk wine cellars are all the rage. Custom Wine Closet s and Under the Stairs Custom Wine Room s are quickly becoming a commonplace feature within modern luxury homes. Funny enough, because San Diego has become such a hub and mecca for craft beer breweries, luxury homes within communities such as La Jolla, Del Mar, Encinitas, Coronado, Cardiff, Rancho Santa Fe, Solana Beach, Carlsbad, La Costa and Torrey Pines have taken notice and began including space for unique beer storage within their custom wine cellars as well. This right side wall horizontal display racking does just that. If you look closely, those intricately labeled bottles are craft brews kept at a chill and refreshing 55 Degrees- just waiting to be opened and enjoyed immediately. Just when you thought the custom wine cellar tour was over, another unique feature catches your eye. You see the back stone wall? Press ever so gently in the top left corner two thirds of the way up and - Voila! - a secret door appears and slowly reveals more room under the stairway for case storage and the like. The homeowner also decided to add interesting lighting to this cellar. The Custom wine room can turn any color of the rainbow - allowing you to focus on all lights or just one a time, creating that perfect mood lighting for the holidays, springtime, or summer. This entire custom wine cellar and all wine racking were done in raw black walnut. Vintage Cellars has built gorgeous custom wine cellars and wine storage rooms across the United States and World for over 25 years. We are your go-to business for anything wine cellar and wine storage related! Whether you're interested in a wine closet, wine racking, custom wine racks, a custom wine cellar door, or a cooling system for your existing space, Vintage Cellars has you covered! We carry all kinds of wine cellar cooling and refrigeration systems, incuding: Breezaire, CellarCool, WhisperKool, Wine Guardian, CellarPro and Commercial systems. We also carry many types of Wine Refrigerators, Wine Cabinets, and wine racking types, including La Cache, Marvel, N'Finity, Transtherm, Vinotheque, Vintage Series, Credenza, Walk in wine rooms, Climadiff, Riedel, Fontenay, and VintageView. Vintage Cellars also does work in many styles, including Contemporary and Modern, Rustic, Farmhouse, Traditional, Craftsman, Industrial, Mediterranean, Mid-Century, Industrial and Eclectic. Some locations we cover often include: San Diego, Rancho Santa Fe, Corona Del Mar, Del Mar, La Jolla, Newport Beach, Newport Coast, Huntington Beach, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Carlsbad, Orange County, Beverly Hills, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, Bel Air, Los Angeles, Encinitas, Cardiff, Coronado, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes, San Marino, Ladera Heights, Santa Monica, Brentwood, Westwood, Hancock Park, Laguna Beach, Crystal Cove, Laguna Niguel, Torrey Pines, Thousand Oaks, Coto De Caza, Coronado Island, San Francisco, Danville, Walnut Creek, Marin, Tiburon, Hillsborough, Berkeley, Oakland, Napa, Sonoma, Agoura Hills, Hollywood Hills, Laurel Canyon, Sausalito, Mill Valley, San Rafael, Piedmont, Paso Robles, Carmel, Pebble Beach Contact Vintage Cellars today with any of your Wine Cellar needs! (800) 876-8789 Vintage Cellars 904 Rancheros Drive San Marcos, California 92069 (800) 876-8789

Elaine Janet Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen remodel in New York with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Example of a small trendy kids' gray tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile bathroom design in Atlanta with a two-piece toilet, gray walls and a pedestal sink

"We often rush to divide everything as white and black and store them separately in a separate place. But seemingly opposing things that are inseparable - that is the world - are a mixture of different things." _Matisyahu_ The contrast between black and white is not only a choice but also a way to make it special. When stepping into an all-white or all-black living space, it is easy to feel purity or luxury, but it can also suggest a little skepticism about the monotony or oppressiveness it brings. So using black and white is therefore not difficult but definitely not easy. In the apartment project at Vinhomes Symphony apartment that we implemented this time, white and black are no longer just two opposing colors, but they are combined and mixed, intertwined creatively to create a unity. As an expression of day and night, brilliance and mystery, white and black have adopted tricks and materials, arrays of blocks and light, blending together with the goal of creating living spaces with comfort, convenience and luxury. "This is probably a very special and interesting project for me and my colleagues, right from the first approach, the investor is also a sister, a person with a young, dynamic way of thinking with a very special and very own taste. After each actual project, we keep a diary of the conceptualization, design and execution process. Join us to look back on the process of project formation as well as better understand the philosophy, ideas and functions that have been sent in the project" - Kts. Dang Duong - Founder of D2Architects. The current status of the project is 2 apartments located at location A-20 and A-21 in S6A building of Vinhomes Symphony apartment. With an east-facing façade, the apartment is endowed with the advantage of natural light as well as excellent panoramic views. The highlight of this apartment is the view opening to the Phuc Loi lotus lagoon with a large area, more than 10 hectares and airy landscape by the Duong River. These are not merely apartments, but they are also places to express creativity and make harmonious use of natural light and surrounding nature. Every view from these apartments not only opens up amazing scenery but also a lifestyle full of relaxation and tranquility amidst the noisy city. With the special importance of location and unique views, making perfect use of space and light here is not only an advantage but also a great potential to create a sophisticated and classy living space. The sophistication in design and handling of space has been put on top by us, in order to make the most of these extremely special advantages. In order for a living space to truly become a place called "Home" – a place where we want to return and feel peaceful while there, we have carefully researched the preferences and desires of the owner. Sharing with me about her hobby, Ms. Yen expressed that she loves a modern space with minimalist style and cool tones, creating a sense of tranquility and elegance. This is clearly reflected in the original idea for the apartment. What's even more interesting is his teenage son's hobby of playing Lego. This is not only a personal preference but also a special source of inspiration for the design process. From these data, we built a preliminary idea for the comprehensive living space of the apartment. The combination of the requirement of modern, minimalist space and cool tones along with creative elements from his son's personal hobby of playing Lego has created a unique living space, both reflecting the owner's own personality and meeting the needs of living and personal preferences. This is the foundation for creating a real home, where each member of the family feels content and peaceful every time they return. The project uses the main tone of industrial wood painted in dark gray, white and dark veneer. Versatile combination with other modern materials such as smoke glass and artificial stone,... Create a work of architectural art where everything intersects harmoniously with natural light like a great symphony. The contrast between the bass of the cool tone and the warm, gentle touch of the light creates an impressive picture of a delicate blend of opposing elements. The soft, beautiful touch of this space is hidden in the strength and modernity of the materials used. This is not only a house, but also a mirror that clearly reflects the personality and philosophy of life of the owner. The modern, youthful spirit is clearly shown from the moment you cross the threshold to enter the house. Flexibility, creativity and the harmonious intersection of materials and light have created a colorful and sophisticated living space, while celebrating the beauty of modernity and youthful vitality. LIVING ROOM: The living room is not merely a living area or common living space of the family, but according to feng shui concept, this is the place where the best energy of the house is concentrated. Therefore, creating a special living room space is extremely important. Neutral gray-white tones are made in the background, creating the foundation for sophistication and elegance. Color accents are subtly applied, creating a unique touch for the house, increasing the creativity and style of the owner. Maintaining the spirit of LEGO - unlimited creativity - through every corner, every architectural line has created an interesting space experience right in the living room. It stimulates the imagination of all ages, opening up space for each person to freely create, build and connect with each other through the common language of LEGO. KITCHEN & DINNING ROOM: The kitchen is an indispensable piece in every family, this place is likened to the heart of the whole house. All one needs to create great taste is love and creativity in the kitchen. Because the kitchen with family meals is the emotional bond between members. Therefore, designing a beautiful and functional kitchen requires a delicate combination of colors, shapes and meticulousness in choosing the right materials. Today's kitchen is invested by many people in both form and quality, so a beautiful, luxurious, modern, comfortable kitchen that fully meets the needs of each family is the design criterion D2 Architects aims for. The Lego House project is not just a project anymore but it is really the result of sending all our core values and creative spirit to create a living space that symbolizes the interconnectedness of design, art and soul. D2Architects A : Khuat Duy Tien -Thanh Xuan Bac - Ha Noi – Viet Nam M: d2architects.vn@gmail.com W: d2architects.vn P: 0965551101 - 0965554792

COOKING PAN SMOKE ODOR — 7500 Sq. Ft. Home In July 2018, Master Odor Removal successfully completed an odor removal service in a luxury 7500 sq. ft. home in Boca Raton, FL. The odor issue was caused by smoldering cooking pan that had started to burn and was left for several hours. The 1700 sq. ft. area had 20 ft ceilings, three islands which led to the open adjacent dining and family room and large spiral stair case lead to the upstairs narrow hall and bedroom. All areas had a Level 5 (1-5 scale) burnt or scorched smell which included the cabinets, furniture, drapes and custom carpeting and in closeted large food pantry. The home had four air conditioning units which were in the attic that would have to be treated separately. The owner prior to our visit, had tried to just air it out and then used common cover-ups after cleaning the stove area – which only contributed to making the source odor smell pronounced throughout the homes other living areas. The owner was only interested in a rush and same day service! The odor was caused by tiny microscopic burnt plastic particles that were clinging to ceiling walls, furniture, floors, clothing and other items now inside most of the home carried in part by the time of smoke exposure and air conditioning cycling on and off. Smoke particles get into the tiniest nooks and crannies and can be difficult to remove. The stove area / back splash had visible signs of carbon though the other areas had no blackness that could be seen or even evident in the microfiber white cloths that we used to test prior to molecular chemical application. All living areas of the home had been expertly cleaned prior to our inspection. The scope of our work included odor source remediation, ceiling and wall treatments using a 20-foot ladder, and fogging treatments in the entire main home’s, kitchen, bedrooms, living areas and pantry. A/C electrochemical fogging in attic. Carbon was remediated and air quality tested.

Jewett Farms + Co’s Reclaimed Maple – Beech blends the light tones of honey and tawny blonds with hints of pink. The timbers are sourced from old barns in the East and Mid West, where they were primarily used as beams to support structures. This flooring blends light tones and features small scratches, some knots, nail holes and some insect tracts. At the time of the European settlement Maple and Beech trees were the most common hardwoods in the forests of the Midwest. Both Maple and Beech are medium density hard woods with very little color or grain variation, because of this the two species were commonly used together. Jewett Farms + Co honor the tradition of combining these two species in an elegant, reclaimed wide plank Maple – beech flooring product. Jewett Farms + Co’s Reclaimed Antique Maple – Beech plank flooring is available to be shipped throughout the United States from our New England headquarters.

Photo Credit: Michael Hunter The homeowner’s wanted to carry the luxurious drama from the common areas into their private retreat. We continued the color scheme throughout and sourced from Ambella Home Collection and Lexington Furniture for the furnishings. For the master bathroom tile was sourced from The Tile Bar in New York. The tile and palette were carefully chosen to flow with the rest of the home while creating a special and unique environment for the homeowners to enjoy. www.letriciawilbanksdesign.com

Photo Credit: Michael Hunter The homeowner’s wanted to carry the luxurious drama from the common areas into their private retreat. We continued the color scheme throughout and sourced from Ambella Home Collection and Lexington Furniture for the furnishings. For the master bathroom tile was sourced from The Tile Bar in New York. The tile and palette were carefully chosen to flow with the rest of the home while creating a special and unique environment for the homeowners to enjoy. www.letriciawilbanksdesign.com

Photo Credit: Michael Hunter The homeowner’s wanted to carry the luxurious drama from the common areas into their private retreat. We continued the color scheme throughout and sourced from Ambella Home Collection and Lexington Furniture for the furnishings. For the master bathroom tile was sourced from The Tile Bar in New York. The tile and palette were carefully chosen to flow with the rest of the home while creating a special and unique environment for the homeowners to enjoy. www.letriciawilbanksdesign.com

Home design - transitional home design idea in Orange County

Not all architectural imagery is created equal. Some renderings look obviously computer-generated, with flat lighting and plastic-looking materials that fail to convince viewers. Others are so precise that they are indistinguishable from photographs. That second category, realistic architectural visualization rendering, has become the standard expectation for architects, developers, and marketers who need imagery capable of withstanding close scrutiny from investors, buyers, and planning authorities. As audiences grow more visually literate, the tolerance for obviously artificial, video-game-like imagery in professional presentations continues to shrink. What Sets Realistic Visualization Apart Realistic architectural visualization goes beyond simply modeling a building in three dimensions. It requires physically accurate lighting simulation, true-to-life material properties, and careful attention to the small imperfections that make real-world photography convincing, such as subtle reflections, ambient occlusion in corners, and natural depth of field. The goal is an image that a viewer would believe was captured by a camera on-site rather than generated by software. Achieving that level of believability typically means dozens of small adjustments layered on top of one another rather than any single dramatic setting. Realistic Versus Stylized Rendering Approaches Stylized or conceptual renderings still have their place, particularly in early design phases when a looser, more artistic representation helps convey mood without locking in every detail. But once a project moves toward marketing, investment, or permitting, stakeholders need to see exactly what they are getting. Realistic visualization removes ambiguity, showing true material colors, accurate proportions, and honest lighting conditions rather than idealized abstractions. Understanding which approach a project actually needs at each stage helps clients avoid paying for a level of polish that a given milestone does not yet require. Why Realism Builds Client and Buyer Confidence Buyers and investors are understandably skeptical of overly polished or unrealistic marketing images. When a rendering looks convincingly real, it builds trust rather than raising doubts about what the finished project will actually look like. This is especially important in real estate presales, where buyers are committing significant sums based largely on visual material rather than a finished physical space. A rendering that later turns out to have misrepresented the finished product can also create legal and reputational exposure for developers, making accuracy a genuine business risk rather than just an aesthetic preference. The Technical Pillars Behind Every Realistic Scene Achieving true realism depends on several technical disciplines working together: physically based rendering engines that simulate how light actually behaves, high-resolution texture libraries that replicate real materials like stone, wood, and glass, and careful camera work that mimics real photographic lenses and exposure. Post-production adds a final layer of color grading and atmospheric effects that ties everything together into a cohesive, believable image. Each of these pillars depends on the others; even flawless material work can be undermined by lighting that behaves in a physically implausible way. Applications Across Residential, Commercial, and Institutional Projects Realistic visualization serves a wide range of building types, from single-family homes and luxury condominiums to office towers, hotels, schools, and healthcare facilities. Each typology has its own material palette and lighting expectations, and an experienced studio adjusts its approach accordingly, whether that means warm, inviting tones for a residential lobby or crisp, professional lighting for a corporate headquarters. Institutional clients such as universities and hospitals often have additional requirements around accessibility signage and wayfinding, which need to be represented accurately alongside the architecture itself. How AIMIR CG Delivers Photorealistic Accuracy Our studio specializes in realistic architectural visualization rendering that holds up under close inspection. Every project moves through a disciplined pipeline of modeling, texturing, lighting, and post-production review, with artists cross-checking material references and lighting studies against real-world photography. This attention to detail is why clients consistently describe our end product as impressive and our process as easy to work with. A dedicated quality review stage before delivery catches inconsistencies that might otherwise slip through a faster, less structured pipeline. Common Challenges in Achieving True Realism Realistic rendering is technically demanding. Common obstacles include accurately simulating how light bounces between surfaces, matching material reflectivity to real product specifications, and avoiding the uncanny, slightly artificial look that comes from over-processed images. Overcoming these challenges requires experienced artists who understand both the science of light and the craft of photography, not just software proficiency. Rushed production schedules are often the real culprit behind unconvincing renderings, since realism typically requires several iterative passes rather than a single render. What to Look for in a Realism-Focused Rendering Studio When evaluating a rendering partner, review their portfolio critically. Do the images include convincing shadow detail and material variation, or do surfaces look uniformly smooth and artificial? Ask about their revision process and how closely they work with architects to source accurate material and lighting references, since realism is ultimately the product of disciplined collaboration, not a single software setting. It also helps to ask for examples of past projects in a similar building type, since a studio's strengths can vary across typologies. Ready for Renderings That Look Real If your project deserves imagery that can stand up to the scrutiny of investors, buyers, and planning boards, AIMIR CG is ready to help. Our team combines technical precision with artistic judgment to deliver visualization that looks and feels genuinely real. Contact us to discuss how photorealistic rendering can strengthen your next presentation or marketing campaign, and let us show you examples from projects similar to your own.

The clients owned the house next door and were contemplating a substantial remodel to their 110 year old Crafstman when the neighbor to the south put their old Craftsman home up for sale - it was in much more need of TLC so my clients purchased this house and we removed the 2nd floor gable/attic space and gutted the first floor and basements. The home was re-imagined with a Scandanavian inspired contemporary Northwest style, but keeping the covered porch common to the neighborhood's Craftsman homes. A 2nd floor covered porch takes advantage of the views across Ballard and to the Olympic Peninsula and gorgeous Northwest sunsets. The entry is open to the 2nd floor and features a steel and wood stair. The living space is open to the dining room with a bay bump out which flows into the kitchen featuring an island. The kitchen opens to a covered back patio; a raised parking pad is accessed from the alley. An exercise room (guest room) and 3/4 bath finish out the main floor. The basement is set up with two bedrooms and a full bath with space for a future kitchenette and private back entry to be used as an ADU. The utility and storage room holds the air-source hydronic heating system, providing in slab heat to the basement and in-floor heat to the main floor. Up on the top floor, a front family room space opens to the stair and entry below and out to the covered view deck. The primary bedroom and bath sit at the east end catching the morning sun. Interior photos can be seen at: https://www.rainahinteriors.com/phinney-modern

Photo Credit: Michael Hunter The homeowner’s wanted to carry the luxurious drama from the common areas into their private retreat. We continued the color scheme throughout and sourced from Ambella Home Collection and Lexington Furniture for the furnishings. For the master bathroom tile was sourced from The Tile Bar in New York. The tile and palette were carefully chosen to flow with the rest of the home while creating a special and unique environment for the homeowners to enjoy. www.letriciawilbanksdesign.com