The Treehouse serves as an artist’s studio. The natural light filtering through the northern, woodchip wall provides excellent illumination for art production. The space is divided into three platforms that respond to three functions: entrance, art production, and research/reading/contemplation. The structure is positioned at the threshold of a forest and a field. In one direction a horizontal window frames a green pasture, in the other direction vertical windows frame the forest of trees.

Design ideas for a craftsman landscaping in Vancouver.

This modern architectural masterpiece is a striking glass pavilion set dramatically on the edge of a cliff. With floor-to-ceiling windows and a minimalist design, the space maximizes natural light and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The expansive cantilevered platform, supported by a robust concrete structure, complements the clean lines of the flat roof while emphasizing openness and connection to nature. Ideal for gatherings, exhibitions, or contemplative retreats, this building seamlessly blends contemporary aesthetics with the thrill of its unique, adventurous location. The combination of transparent glass walls and bold structural elements creates a statement piece that redefines modern living in harmony with its environment.

Michael Eric Berube, Maine Virtual Home ToursTimber frame homes offer unique challenges during a remodel. What often makes them beautiful and attractive to most homeowners, also makes them challenging for space requirements. Context: The lovely couple that owned this home were struggling with some interesting floor plan challenges that just didn't work for their family. The loved the beautiful timbers and woodwork of their home, but the dramatically sloping ceilings on the second floor, particularly in the bathroom, just didn't work for this 1 1/2 bath home. Needing to use the skylight to approach the toilet was a less then ideal scenario. Although the bathroom footprint was more then adequate, the sloped ceiling only made half of the space useable. Check out the Before/After post on our blog to see the photos of the house pre-renovation. As much as they loved all the wood features in their home, another challenge they had was light. The wood ceiling made everything inside the house darker, even with a fantastic array of south facing windows, there were spaces in the home that felt dark and small. When they contacted us they wanted to know how could they make their brighter and more inviting, were there solutions to the 2nd floor sloped ceiling issues, and if they were going to do all of this work, how could they make their home more comfortable and efficient. A nagging water leak in the upstairs bathroom spurred them into action and here is how we solved their dilemma. Conclusion: First, we added a little dormer to the rear of the house so we could get full headroom in nearly all of the upstairs bathroom! Then we decided to extend that dormer one more timber bay over to create a walk in closet with natural light and plenty of space. Since we were contemplating energy efficiency, we resolved a nagging issue that is present in a lot of timber frame construction, air tightness. Commonly found in timber frame construction, fiberglass insulation is installed in the rafter bays and board ceilings are installed over top. Unfortunately, board ceilings are anything but air tight, and fiberglass insulation needs to be in an airtight cavity for maximum effectiveness. So we were able to solve two issues at the same time for this homeowner. We removed the board ceiling and fiberglass insulation, we dense packed the rafter bays with cellulose insulation, and installed sheetrock in place of the boards. The boards were salvaged for re-use by the homeowner, and the space and light quality was dramatically improved. Some may think that losing the board ceiling took something away from the space, but what you'll see in the pictures is that it highly accentuates the heavy timbers and really makes them stand out in a beautiful way. Now with this added airtightness, better insulation, and brighter space, the homeowner hardly runs their wood stove, and it's so quiet in the space, an added bonus from changing the insulation. It became necessary to also add a sheetrock ceiling to the living room to hide the plumbing from the new bathroom layout above. Changing this ceiling gave the homeowner some real quality lighting that was lacking in the living room before. The brighter ceiling and new lighting layout completely transforms the living room into a space you want to hang out, even though the layout didn't change at all. When the homeowner saw the finished spaces she said "I can't believe this is my house, I want to live in this house" Energy Efficiency: I touched a little on the efficiency above, but like all projects done with Mottram Architecture, we always want to leave you with a little extra. Timber frame construction with board ceilings and fiberglass insulation are notoriously leaky! If you want to know what we think about fiberglass insulation, check our our blog post on Why Fiberglass Insulation Sucks. By installing cellulose insulation and covering it with sheetrock we were able to greatly reduce the heat flowing out of this home. It not only improves cashflow it improves the comfort level in the space. Who wants to sit in their living room and feel a draft? Let us remind you, we are not saying cellulose insulation is an air barrier, we use the sheetrock to help with that, but it does significantly reduce the air flow over fiberglass insulation. And when we reduce the airflow, we reduce the heat flow. And when we reduce the heat flow, we reduce the need to re-heat that drafty air from outside. When it comes to energy efficiency the first and best place to start is air infiltration. We greatly reduced the air infiltration with the new insulation, but we also added a hat and warm boots. What I mean by that is, we improved the insulation in the roof, and we installed insulation in the basement. Maybe it's a silly analogy, but when you think about keeping warm, we always start with the hat and boots! With sustainability in mind, the next project will be to add a deck to the front of this house with rain catchment barrels from the metal roof. They are planning to plant a garden in the spring and the rain catchment system will help to irrigate the new garden. Builder: East Shore Builders Photographer: Michael Eric Berube

In this contemporary family room, design is not just about what fills the space — it’s about how it flows. The environment embraces curved lines, tactile balance, and natural materials to create a warm yet refined atmosphere, ideal for fall and winter living. At the heart of the room lies “River”, Kaymanta’s round rug handwoven in twisted Bamboo Silk. Its organic shape and dense texture anchor the layout without overpowering it, adding a grounded sense of calm beneath the furniture ensemble. The sculptural silhouette of the rug echoes the softness of the surrounding architecture and the quiet elegance of the selected furnishings. Neutral tones dominate the palette, enhanced by subtle layering and thoughtful material choices: soft upholstery, wood finishes, and muted lighting create a space that feels both lived-in and intentionally composed. Every detail serves to slow down time — to invite rest, presence, and contemplation. Designed to celebrate the beauty of imperfection and the strength of simplicity, this space exemplifies the spirit of Kaymanta’s Materia Viva collection: living materials, crafted by hand, made to connect.

This is an example of an asian landscaping in Vancouver.

Welcome to the Garden of Tranquility, a serene retreat where nature and tranquility harmoniously coexist. Nestled within this sanctuary, you will discover a captivating Zen garden, an oasis of serenity and peace. The Zen garden, meticulously designed and carefully curated, immerses you in a realm of simplicity and balance. Smooth gravel ripples like waves, symbolizing tranquility, while meticulously placed stones create a sense of harmony and order. The garden invites you to stroll along meandering pathways, inviting contemplation and mindfulness with every step.

Design ideas for an asian landscaping in Vancouver.

The spacious sunroom is a serene retreat with its panoramic views of the rural landscape through walls of Marvin windows. A striking brick herringbone pattern floor adds timeless charm, while a see-through gas fireplace creates a cozy focal point, perfect for all seasons. Above the mantel, a black-painted beadboard feature wall adds depth and character, enhancing the room's inviting ambiance. With its seamless blend of rustic and contemporary elements, this sunroom is a tranquil haven for relaxation and contemplation. Martin Bros. Contracting, Inc., General Contractor; Helman Sechrist Architecture, Architect; JJ Osterloo Design, Designer; Photography by Marie Kinney.

Rich blue lounge chairs, a forest mural, soft pillows, and contemplative decor bring color, depth, and a restorative energy to the media area.
Sunroom - transitional sunroom idea in Austin

Tucked away in a small subdivision, these homeowners have taken their builder-grade backyard and transformed it into a Japanese-inspired oasis. After the initial landscape design and construction by Pacific Garden Design, the homeowners have continued to craft an elegantly evolving landscape. A multi-level deck provides entertaining space as it steps down to the yard. A dry water feature anchors the corner of the yard, while a series of stone benches provide spots for quiet contemplation. The thriving garden area takes advantage of the southern exposure along one side of the yard and offers an opportunity for garden whimsy. Gravel pathways connect the space to the front yard and the natural area behind the property.

Rustic and refined meet to give a mountaintop home in Portola Valley, California, classic charm. They say the best things in life come to those who wait. So when a Bay Area couple purchased a rare set of adjoining lots overlooking Windy Hill in Portola Valley, they made frequent visits to the site where they absorbed the views while listening to the land as they contemplated building a home there. The intent: to create a home that would celebrate the scenic beauty of the San Mateo County region. Long before the design process began, the couple committed themselves to preserving as many trees on the land as possible. These trees, two majestic, centuries-old Blue Oaks in particular, ultimately became the impetus for the home’s orientation and the inspiration for its design. Detailed discussions and brainstorming sessions led the owners to discover their own unique tastes: “cozy” and “rustic“ while “contemporary, but not minimal.” The result? Sophisticated style comprised of simple, honest materials.

Rustic and refined meet to give a mountaintop home in Portola Valley, California, classic charm. They say the best things in life come to those who wait. So when a Bay Area couple purchased a rare set of adjoining lots overlooking Windy Hill in Portola Valley, they made frequent visits to the site where they absorbed the views while listening to the land as they contemplated building a home there. The intent: to create a home that would celebrate the scenic beauty of the San Mateo County region. Long before the design process began, the couple committed themselves to preserving as many trees on the land as possible. These trees, two majestic, centuries-old Blue Oaks in particular, ultimately became the impetus for the home’s orientation and the inspiration for its design. Detailed discussions and brainstorming sessions led the owners to discover their own unique tastes: “cozy” and “rustic“ while “contemporary, but not minimal.” The result? Sophisticated style comprised of simple, honest materials.

This extension to a very distinctive timber clad house set in a prominent hilltop position in the Peak District National Park, Derbyshire was an exciting project with many contextual constraints. The clients had a large family and needed to provide more bed space for visiting grandchildren, so we created a new large en-suite bedroom for them at first floor level, which freed up other areas of the house for guest accommodation. The extension is designed to sensitively integrate with the existing house whilst having its own distinct character. The existing palette of materials is reinterpreted in a thoroughly modern way. A rigorous design process had to be adopted in order to secure planning approval for this contemporary design from the notoriously difficult Peak District National Park. The existing rough grit-stone side wall is treated as a ‘ruined’ solid base from which the lighter weight construction of the timber and glass facades spring from. Much thought went into the multi layered timber cladding which imbue the extension with its own unique character, and the carefully positioned areas of clean, frameless glazing which focus and frame the amazing views out to the surrounding countryside. A large frameless corner window provides a sun-drenched corner with seating, perfect for quiet contemplation. Beautifully finished in elegant birch faced plywood panelling the interior exudes a minimalist serenity which makes a pleasing contrast to the rugged exterior finishes.

Nautical Artwork: Charting the Course Charcoal Drawing - Digital Artwork Loose Art Print. https://pipafineart.com/products/charting-the-course-charcoal-drawing-digital-artwork-loose-art-print. Embark on a journey of discovery with "Charting the Course," a captivating art print that evokes the spirit of exploration and adventure. This mesmerizing piece showcases an antique compass rendered in intricate detail with charcoal pencil, its delicate lines and shading capturing the timeless beauty of this navigational instrument. The artist's masterful technique brings the compass to life, highlighting the intricate details of its face and the weathered texture of its casing. Set against a soft, minimal background, the compass takes center stage, inviting viewers to contemplate the endless possibilities that lie ahead. Printed on high-quality photo paper with premium inks, "Charting the Course" faithfully captures the rich textures and subtle nuances of the original charcoal drawing. This art print is a perfect addition to any living room, bedroom, dining room, or office, bringing a touch of vintage charm and adventurous spirit to your space. Hang it on your wall and let this timeless symbol inspire you to navigate your own path with confidence and curiosity.

Moss Garden: A Living Carpet of Tranquility A moss garden is a serene, low-maintenance landscape feature that evokes a profound sense of calm and natural beauty. Composed of vibrant, velvety mosses that thrive in shaded, humid environments, these gardens offer a soft, carpet-like groundcover that replaces traditional lawns or gravel with rich, green texture. At Westland Design, our moss gardens are thoughtfully integrated into the overall landscape to enhance a feeling of timelessness and stillness. Whether nestled beneath the canopy of trees, edging a stone pathway, or surrounding a tranquil water feature, moss brings subtle movement and color to quiet corners of the garden. Key qualities of a moss garden include: Evergreen softness: Moss provides lush, year-round greenery that requires no mowing or fertilizing. Quiet beauty: It absorbs sound, contributing to a peaceful, contemplative environment. Natural elegance: Ideal for Japanese-style gardens or woodland settings, moss complements stone, water, and wood elements with organic harmony. A moss garden is more than a design choice—it’s an invitation to slow down, observe closely, and appreciate nature’s quiet elegance.

Photo of an eclectic landscaping in Vancouver.

Relaxing, reflective and contemplative space with dense native planting to protect from the biting winter winds while maintain clear views to the water was the design goal. Photographer: Tamara Alvarez