Wood Burning Fire Pit Outdoor Lighting in the Backyard Outside of the screened-in porch, a walking path leads to a sunken fire pit surrounded by boulders and log stumps for sitting. Path lights mark the walking area to improve nighttime safety. "We have an uplight on the cottonwood tree in the distance and another one highlighting the woodwork on the screened-in porch," McKay Lighting designer says, "It provides just enough light to guide you around the backyard and adds to the ambiance as you use the outdoor space. You don't want too much competing light when the fire is going." The walking path continues around the backyard to a gate in the pool area. Read more: www.mckaylighting.com/blog/architectural-lighting-enhance-elkorn-home

On first glance, this staircase reads as restrained. White oak treads rise with natural warmth, metal balusters hold their disciplined rhythm, and the painted black railing traces a clean, straight path upward. Then you notice the elliptical stringer wrap, and the whole composition shifts. Unlike a circular curve drawn with a compass, an ellipse requires mathematical calculation and a craftsman who knows how to make that complexity disappear. Here, it does exactly that. Natural light finishes the story. Moving through the space across the day, it deepens the oak grain, catches the metal, and lets the black railing guide the eye along the handrail's elliptical path from start to finish. Restraint brought the design this far. One well-executed curve made it memorable. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

A shady respite from the July/August summer sun and heat! It's the place for reading and relaxing. This shady/semi-sunny area is in contrast to the culinary and ornamental garden, which face S and W, with brilliant continuous sunlight and intense summer heat. Photography credit: M A Jaworski Landscape Design

On first glance, this staircase reads as restrained. White oak treads rise with natural warmth, metal balusters hold their disciplined rhythm, and the painted black railing traces a clean, straight path upward. Then you notice the elliptical stringer wrap, and the whole composition shifts. Unlike a circular curve drawn with a compass, an ellipse requires mathematical calculation and a craftsman who knows how to make that complexity disappear. Here, it does exactly that. Natural light finishes the story. Moving through the space across the day, it deepens the oak grain, catches the metal, and lets the black railing guide the eye along the handrail's elliptical path from start to finish. Restraint brought the design this far. One well-executed curve made it memorable. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Full condo renovation on a budget: replaced carpet and laminate flooring with continuous LVP throughout; painted kitchen cabinets; added tile backsplash in kitchen; replaced appliances, sink, and faucet; replaced light fixtures and repositioned/added lights; selected all new furnishings- some brand new, some salvaged from second-hand sellers. Goal of this project was to stretch the dollars, so we worked hard to put money into the areas with highest return and get creative where possible. Phase 2 plan is to replace additional light fixtures and repaint more areas.

[Our Clients] We were so excited to help these new homeowners re-envision their split-level diamond in the rough. There was so much potential in those walls, and we couldn’t wait to delve in and start transforming spaces. Our primary goal was to re-imagine the main level of the home and create an open flow between the space. So, we started by converting the existing single car garage into their living room (complete with a new fireplace) and opening up the kitchen to the rest of the level. [Kitchen] The original kitchen had been on the small side and cut-off from the rest of the home, but after we removed the coat closet, this kitchen opened up beautifully. Our plan was to create an open and light filled kitchen with a design that translated well to the other spaces in this home, and a layout that offered plenty of space for multiple cooks. We utilized clean white cabinets around the perimeter of the kitchen and popped the island with a spunky shade of blue. To add a real element of fun, we jazzed it up with the colorful escher tile at the backsplash and brought in accents of brass in the hardware and light fixtures to tie it all together. Through out this home we brought in warm wood accents and the kitchen was no exception, with its custom floating shelves and graceful waterfall butcher block counter at the island. [Dining Room] The dining room had once been the home’s living room, but we had other plans in mind. With its dramatic vaulted ceiling and new custom steel railing, this room was just screaming for a dramatic light fixture and a large table to welcome one-and-all. [Living Room] We converted the original garage into a lovely little living room with a cozy fireplace. There is plenty of new storage in this space (that ties in with the kitchen finishes), but the real gem is the reading nook with two of the most comfortable armchairs you’ve ever sat in. [Master Suite] This home didn’t originally have a master suite, so we decided to convert one of the bedrooms and create a charming suite that you’d never want to leave. The master bathroom aesthetic quickly became all about the textures. With a sultry black hex on the floor and a dimensional geometric tile on the walls we set the stage for a calm space. The warm walnut vanity and touches of brass cozy up the space and relate with the feel of the rest of the home. We continued the warm wood touches into the master bedroom, but went for a rich accent wall that elevated the sophistication level and sets this space apart. [Hall Bathroom] The floor tile in this bathroom still makes our hearts skip a beat. We designed the rest of the space to be a clean and bright white, and really let the lovely blue of the floor tile pop. The walnut vanity cabinet (complete with hairpin legs) adds a lovely level of warmth to this bathroom, and the black and brass accents add the sophisticated touch we were looking for. [Office] We loved the original built-ins in this space, and knew they needed to always be a part of this house, but these 60-year-old beauties definitely needed a little help. We cleaned up the cabinets and brass hardware, switched out the formica counter for a new quartz top, and painted wall a cheery accent color to liven it up a bit. And voila! We have an office that is the envy of the neighborhood.

The Jordan family came to Burgin Construction Inc. because they were interested in having a bright and open design-build kitchen remodel in their Yorba Linda home. Their renovation was complete with copper hood detailing, custom crafted cabinets, countertops, all new appliances, refinished flooring and fresh new paint. Continue on to take a look at how the Burgin team worked hand-in-hand with the Jordan family to make their dreams a reality. Take a moment to read the Jordan's review here: https://www.houzz.com/viewReview/792491/Burgin-Construction-review. Are you ready to start making your living space more livable? Contact us and our design-build team will work hand-in-hand with you to make your dreams a reality.

The family room adjacent the kitchen received a much needed update. The mahogany beams from the kitchen continue through to the family room. A has a shiny stone surround with a mahogany mantel and hearth. Photo by Daniel Contelmo Jr.

Bilotta Senior Designer, Thomas Vecchio, and Patrick J. Hamilton of Patrick James Hamilton Designs, partnered on this Manhattan upper east side kitchen renovation. This nondescript ‘60’s co-op and galley kitchen were reimagined into a pre-war era gem by adding architectural details: paneling, coffers, and moldings. Widening the opening created an open vista. Upper panes of glass on the Bilotta Collection wall cabinets echo the apartment’s transoms and unite the two sections that are interrupted by the paneled structural column. To compensate for the shorter wall, storage is optimized with plentiful pullouts, dividers, and specialized organizers. The “dead end” under the window was eliminated by continuing cabinetry and countertop materials around the room. Countertop wall cabinets create a hutch in full view of the dining room. With dark gray paint, corner posts and furniture base molding, the peninsula reads like an island and bridges the two areas. Quartz countertops sport “lightning bolt” veins for pattern. Sophisticated on- trend brushed brass was employed on the cabinet pulls and knobs, faucet, sconces, and pendants. A gamechanger was extending the footprint of the kitchen into the hallway with two tall cabinets. One is allocated for cleaning supplies, bulk items, recycling, and the vacuum. The other conceals a built-in wine rack; glassware and bar items; a docking drawer for charging devices; and a Penda-flex rack for files. An absolutely stunning metamorphosis. Written by Paulette Gambacorta adapted for Houzz. Bilotta Designer: Tom Vecchio Interior Designer: Patrick J. Hamilton of Patrick James Hamilton Designs Photographer: John Bessler

These homeowners came to us wanting to upgrade the curb appeal of their home and improve the layout of the interior. They hoped for an entry that would welcome guests to their home both inside and out, while also creating more defined and purposeful space within the home. The main goals of the project were to add a covered wrap around porch, add more windows for natural light, create a formal entry that housed the client’s baby grand piano, and add a home office for the clients to work from home. With a dated exterior and facade that lacked dimension, there was little charm to be had. The front door was hidden from visitors and a lack of windows made the exterior unoriginal. We approached the exterior design pulling inspiration from the farmhouse style, southern porches, and craftsman style homes. Eventually we landed on a design that added numerous windows to the front façade, reminiscent of a farmhouse, and turned a Dutch hipped roof into an extended gable roof, creating a large front porch and adding curb appeal interest. By relocating the entry door to the front of the house and adding a gable accent over this new door, it created a focal point for guests and passersby. In addition to those design elements, we incorporated some exterior shutters rated for our northwest climate that echoed the southern style homes our client loved. A greige paint color (Benjamin Moore Cape May Cobblestone) accented with a white trim (Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee) and a black front door, shutters, and window box (Sherwin Williams Black Magic) all work together to create a charming and welcoming façade. On the interior we removed a half wall and coat closet that separated the original cramped entryway from the front room. The front room was a multipurpose space that didn’t have a designated use for the family, it became a catch-all space that was easily cluttered. Through the design process we came up with a plan to split the spaces into 2 rooms, a large open semi-formal entryway and a home office. The semi-formal entryway was intentionally designed to house the homeowner’s baby grand piano – a real showstopper. The flow created by this entryway is welcoming and ushers you into a beautifully curated home. A new office now sits right off the entryway with beautiful French doors, built-in cabinetry, and an abundance of natural light – everything that one dreams of for their home office. The home office looks out to the front porch and front yard as well as the pastural side yard where the children frequently play. The office is an ideal location for a moment of inspiration, reflection, and focus. A warm white paint (Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee) combined with the newly installed light oak luxury vinyl plank flooring runs throughout the home, creating continuity and a neutral canvas. Traditional and schoolhouse style statement light fixtures coordinate with the black door hardware for an added level of contrast. There is one more improvement that made a big difference to this family. In the family room, we added a built-in window seat. This created a cozy nook that is used by all for reading and extra seating. This relatively small improvement had a big impact on how the family uses and enjoys the space.

This Master bedroom continued with the warm palette throughout the suite. We had an unexpected "niche" that wasn't in the original design and we gave it a function by finding a tall, wood dresser that fit perfectly! Graphic metal lamps allow light to flow around and through them, and simple artwork finished it off. Simple luxury. Photo: Anthony Cohen eightbyten photography.

Napa Cabin | Napa Valley, CA Nestled in the heart of Napa Valley, this contemporary retreat showcases a thoughtful architectural lighting design featuring Belfer's WS7215 WedgeLens LED Wall Sconces in a Black Powder Coat finish. Designed to complement the home's exposed timber beams, natural stone, and steel detailing, the lighting creates a warm, inviting atmosphere while remaining visually unobtrusive. Selected for their slim profile and glare-free performance, the WS7215 sconces provide soft, even illumination that enhances the texture of wood-paneled walls and architectural surfaces. Throughout the main living spaces, the fixtures deliver continuous ambient lighting, while in the loft and bedroom areas they offer comfortable reading light without harsh glare. Integrated 2700 LEDs with smooth 0-10V dimming allow the lighting to transition effortlessly from bright daytime functionality to a cozy evening ambiance. The result is a refined lighting scheme that quietly enhances the cabin's modern-rustic aesthetic, balancing architectural precision with warmth and comfort. Project Team - Architect: Wade Design Architects - Construction: Earthtone Construction - Interior Design: Jennifer Robin Interiors. Featured Product - Belfer WS7215 WedgeLens LED Wall Sconce - Black Powder Coat. https://belfer.com/napa-cabin/ https://wade-design.com/private-homes/napa-cabin/

Taking on this pre-war building renovation was the ultimate design challenge. We combined two units into one massive home. By moving the dining table into the great room, we were able to double the size of the kitchen, allowing for a large island in the center of the space. The wolf range topped with a custom hood was on the utilitary side of the kitchen, next the the shaws sink and House of Rohl faucet. The Calacatta Paonazzo marble from Artistic tile in a honed finished continued from the counters to the backsplash and floating shelf, serving the wow factor this light kitchen deserved. On the opposite wall, floor to ceiling custom cabinetry housed a coffee station and ample storage. There’s even a reading nook window seat, perfect for morning coffee. The two glass blown pendants from Gabriel Scott float on top of the island while the Hudson Valley sconces illuminate the marble shelf. Lead designer, Stevi Fourouli added the final touch by painting lime-wash on the walls to accentuate the old-world feeling of this building.

aking on this pre-war building renovation was the ultimate design challenge. We combined two units into one massive home. By moving the dining table into the great room, we were able to double the size of the kitchen, allowing for a large island in the center of the space. The wolf range topped with a custom hood was on the utilitary side of the kitchen, next the the shaws sink and House of Rohl faucet. The Calacatta Paonazzo marble from Artistic tile in a honed finished continued from the counters to the backsplash and floating shelf, serving the wow factor this light kitchen deserved. On the opposite wall, floor to ceiling custom cabinetry housed a coffee station and ample storage. There’s even a reading nook window seat, perfect for morning coffee. The two glass blown pendants from Gabriel Scott float on top of the island while the Hudson Valley sconces illuminate the marble shelf.

On first glance, this staircase reads as restrained. White oak treads rise with natural warmth, metal balusters hold their disciplined rhythm, and the painted black railing traces a clean, straight path upward. Then you notice the elliptical stringer wrap, and the whole composition shifts. Unlike a circular curve drawn with a compass, an ellipse requires mathematical calculation and a craftsman who knows how to make that complexity disappear. Here, it does exactly that. Natural light finishes the story. Moving through the space across the day, it deepens the oak grain, catches the metal, and lets the black railing guide the eye along the handrail's elliptical path from start to finish. Restraint brought the design this far. One well-executed curve made it memorable. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

It's known as the PISA/TIMSS voyaging convoy. Every time worldwide tests results are discharged with association tables indicating champs and failures a gaggle of scientists, scholastics and grouped kindred explorers plummet on the most astounding performing nation or instruction framework to break down and write about "world's best practice". The objective continues evolving One issue with thusly of deduction is that nobody framework reliably beats the rest. In light of the 1995 and 1999 TIMSS (Trends in International Math and Science Study) results, Asian instruction frameworks in Singapore, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan overwhelmed. Accordingly, the emphasis was immovably on recognizing the reasons the Asian tigers were performing so well. In the PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) 2000 results, Finland positioned first in education, fourth in arithmetic and third in science. Finland became the overwhelming focus and specialists and scholastics ran to Helsinki to find the reasons Finnish understudies performed at or close to the highest point of the table. By 2012, at the end of the day, an alternate training framework turned into the focal point of consideration. Finland descended the PISA rankings as another champ, Shanghai, rose as first in arithmetic, science and perusing. Apples aren't being contrasted with apples A second issue when making correlations is that the spots we've recognized as examples of overcoming adversity are distinctive to Australia. City-states like Singapore and instruction frameworks in profoundly performing spots like Hong Kong and Shanghai have remarkable qualities that separate them from nations like Australia, England and the USA. Contrasts in topography, the quantities of understudies and schools, the understudy cosmetics (as far as dialect, society and financial profile) and how schools, including educational modules and appraisal, are organized and oversaw significantly affect results. Singapore, when contrasted with Australia, is little topographically, more homogenous as far as dialect and culture and utilizes instructive practices that have long been out of support in Australia. These incorporate gushing kids in view of their abilities, and high-chance, focused tests and examinations. As noted in a paper titled How not to prevail upon PISA information: an unexpected examination, there are additionally social components clarifying solid execution that are troublesome, if not unimaginable, to exchange starting with one instruction framework then onto the next. Evident cases incorporate the effect of Confucian qualities and morals that stretch appreciation for power (particularly instructors), the conviction that achievement is conceivable with inspiration, fixation and diligent work, and the thought that training is focal if one is to accomplish a superior life. Confounding circumstances and end results Befuddling what has driven these nations to achievement speaks to the third trouble in expecting that what seems to prompt accomplishment in one nation can without much of a stretch be exchanged to another. To expect that everything we need to do in Australia to enhance test outcomes is to lessen the impact of the Australian Education Union, while being appealing to some, is both undemocratic and blameworthy of accepting circumstances and end results. There are a few advantages of abroad correlations PISA and TIMSS tests have been held for a long time. Thus, there is a decent arrangement of examination recognizing the attributes of more grounded performing instruction frameworks from which states and domains can learn. The early ethnographic work recording Japanese and American classes nitty gritty in Harvard distribution The Teaching Gap uncovers how the lessons in Asian classrooms are more unequivocal, obviously organized and sound and there is a desire that all understudies, with the essential offer and applications, some assistance with canning succeed. A later distribution by the Grattan Institute, Catching up: gaining from the best educational systems in East Asia, likewise distinguishes imperative lessons from fruitful Asian instruction frameworks. Positive variables incorporate giving instructors more opportunity to work cooperatively and to tutor each other, guaranteeing that educator training, course readings and the educational modules are commonly steady and concentrate on enhancing classroom rehearse. It ought to additionally be noticed that while Australian understudies don't perform in the top level in PISA and TIMSS tests, there is some reason for festivity. Understudies in the Australian Capital Territory perform well over the Australian normal and frequently coordinate the execution of top-performing abroad instruction frameworks. As far as lifting the execution of understudies from distraught foundations it is additionally critical to take note of that Catholic schools, in light of an investigation of the 2009 PISA results completed by the Australian Council for Educational Research, accomplish a value rating surpassing that of Finland. About the Author: Amy Parker writes too many academic papers for people who have troubles with it. She always gives needed advices, shows the examples of the papers and helps with writing at http://papersnetwork.net

This is the morning room with east facing windows that look out over the yard. The chairs face a fireplace that is also open to the living room. It is staged with a coffee bar cart and books for a relaxing morning of reading and pastries, or perhaps a game of chess? The staging again highlights function and lifestyle. The beautiful chair continue the touch of French in the staging throughout the home. See all the photos is this home staging project.

With the wall open, the living room and three-season porch read as one continuous indoor-outdoor space.
This is an example of a transitional porch design in Atlanta.