A completed backyard transformation in Aurora, Ontario. The original garden fell roughly 10 feet from the house terrace to the lower lawn; the design turns that grade change into the garden's main feature, with retaining walls and stepped paths connecting the upper entrance, house terrace and lower garden walk. A paved terrace extends everyday outdoor living from the house, while a generous continuous lawn keeps flexible space for play and recreation. Perimeter fencing, evergreen hedges and layered planting filter neighbouring views, soften the retaining walls and provide seasonal interest through the year. Design by Zander Landscapes — concept, master plan, planting design and visualization; built and photographed in 2026.

The goal of this project was to create a better flowing space for entertaining and to maximize the beautiful view of their lakefront property. We achieved this goal by removing walls the kitchen and living room, installing panoramic patio doors, and creating one continuous floor that makes it easier to walk from one area of the home to another. The living room bar acts as an entertaining hub for cocktails and beer on tap, with custom TV’s that can be extended for an ideal game day experience. The design for this project was focused on highlighting the newly opened spaces in the home. This was accomplished by painting the exposed wood ceiling, installing several different lighting options, and adding new full-height windows that helped to brighten the space. An urban farmhouse look was achieved with a neutral color palette, brick and stone interior facades, wood flooring, exposed beams, wooden shelving, and black window frames.

This project started as a kitchen remodel but evolved into a partial redesign and home refresh. Both interiors and exteriors were reimagined to update this traditional Spanish home into a transitional retreat. The common area floorplan was redesigned to absorb the previously underutilized formal spaces into everyday areas. A large walk-in pantry was added while the kitchen flows from the family room to the dining area, with sightlines from the front and back of the home. Architectural elements such as ceiling details and the central staircase were redesigned to fit the home's original character while still feeling updated. The bedrooms and bathrooms were revitalized upstairs with all-new finishes, making the entire home feel fresh and new. An overall neutral color scheme means this home will remain timeless and continue to serve this family for years to come. Simple elegance defines this home. It's the perfect mix of subtle details, ornate craftsmanship, and contemporary elegance.

This custom mid-century modern shower room in Oak Brook, IL, features terrazzo flooring, concealed drainage, floating-style cabinetry, and continuous architectural shadow reveals. Beautiful Builds lowered the floor three inches to accommodate a concrete slab beneath the terrazzo and incorporated a wall-length drainage system, custom slot-style sinks, and indirect ceiling lighting. The result is a minimalist, fully integrated shower space that combines sophisticated water management with seamless architectural design.

This custom mid-century modern shower room in Oak Brook, IL, features terrazzo flooring, concealed drainage, floating-style cabinetry, and continuous architectural shadow reveals. Beautiful Builds lowered the floor three inches to accommodate a concrete slab beneath the terrazzo and incorporated a wall-length drainage system, custom slot-style sinks, and indirect ceiling lighting. The result is a minimalist, fully integrated shower space that combines sophisticated water management with seamless architectural design.

This custom mid-century modern shower room in Oak Brook, IL, features terrazzo flooring, concealed drainage, floating-style cabinetry, and continuous architectural shadow reveals. Beautiful Builds lowered the floor three inches to accommodate a concrete slab beneath the terrazzo and incorporated a wall-length drainage system, custom slot-style sinks, and indirect ceiling lighting. The result is a minimalist, fully integrated shower space that combines sophisticated water management with seamless architectural design.

A completed backyard transformation in Aurora, Ontario. The original garden fell roughly 10 feet from the house terrace to the lower lawn; the design turns that grade change into the garden's main feature, with retaining walls and stepped paths connecting the upper entrance, house terrace and lower garden walk. A paved terrace extends everyday outdoor living from the house, while a generous continuous lawn keeps flexible space for play and recreation. Perimeter fencing, evergreen hedges and layered planting filter neighbouring views, soften the retaining walls and provide seasonal interest through the year. Design by Zander Landscapes — concept, master plan, planting design and visualization; built and photographed in 2026.

This custom mid-century modern shower room in Oak Brook, IL, features terrazzo flooring, concealed drainage, floating-style cabinetry, and continuous architectural shadow reveals. Beautiful Builds lowered the floor three inches to accommodate a concrete slab beneath the terrazzo and incorporated a wall-length drainage system, custom slot-style sinks, and indirect ceiling lighting. The result is a minimalist, fully integrated shower space that combines sophisticated water management with seamless architectural design.

This custom mid-century modern shower room in Oak Brook, IL, features terrazzo flooring, concealed drainage, floating-style cabinetry, and continuous architectural shadow reveals. Beautiful Builds lowered the floor three inches to accommodate a concrete slab beneath the terrazzo and incorporated a wall-length drainage system, custom slot-style sinks, and indirect ceiling lighting. The result is a minimalist, fully integrated shower space that combines sophisticated water management with seamless architectural design.

This project started as a kitchen remodel but evolved into a partial redesign and home refresh. Both interiors and exteriors were reimagined to update this traditional Spanish home into a transitional retreat. The common area floorplan was redesigned to absorb the previously underutilized formal spaces into everyday areas. A large walk-in pantry was added while the kitchen flows from the family room to the dining area, with sightlines from the front and back of the home. Architectural elements such as ceiling details and the central staircase were redesigned to fit the home's original character while still feeling updated. The bedrooms and bathrooms were revitalized upstairs with all-new finishes, making the entire home feel fresh and new. An overall neutral color scheme means this home will remain timeless and continue to serve this family for years to come. Simple elegance defines this home. It's the perfect mix of subtle details, ornate craftsmanship, and contemporary elegance.

Being that the Dining Room is one of the first rooms you see when walking into the home and directly across from the office (which we designed as Phase I), the client wanted to continue the cohesiveness while maintaining the functionality of hosting large gatherings. The scope of work consisted of paint, lighting, window treatments, rug selection, furnishings, artwork and accessories. Maximizing the functionality of the space meant finding a dining table that expands for additional seating, while also reflecting the more modern transitional style. In addition, the client felt the room always seemed dark, therefore we added a second light fixture.

The goal of this project was to create a better flowing space for entertaining and to maximize the beautiful view of their lakefront property. We achieved this goal by removing walls the kitchen and living room, installing panoramic patio doors, and creating one continuous floor that makes it easier to walk from one area of the home to another. The living room bar acts as an entertaining hub for cocktails and beer on tap, with custom TV’s that can be extended for an ideal game day experience. The design for this project was focused on highlighting the newly opened spaces in the home. This was accomplished by painting the exposed wood ceiling, installing several different lighting options, and adding new full-height windows that helped to brighten the space. An urban farmhouse look was achieved with a neutral color palette, brick and stone interior facades, wood flooring, exposed beams, wooden shelving, and black window frames.

This bungalow was sitting on the market, vacant. The owners had it virtually staged but never realized the furniture in the staged photos was too big for the space. Many potential buyers had trouble visualizing their furniture in this small home. We came in and brought all the furniture and accessories and it sold immediately. Sometimes when you see a property for sale online and it is virtually staged, the client might not realize it and expects to see the furniture in the home when they visit. When they don't, they start to question the actual size of the property. We want to create a vibe when you walk in the door. It has to start from the moment you walk in and continue throughout at least the first floor. If you are thinking about listing your home, give us a call. We own all the furniture you see and have our own movers.

A growing family needed extra space in their 1930 Bungalow. We designed an addition sensitive to the neighborhood and complimentary to the original design that includes a generously sized one car garage, a 350 square foot screen porch and a master suite with walk-in closet and bathroom. The original upstairs bathroom was remodeled simultaneously, creating two new bathrooms. The master bathroom has a curbless shower and glass tile walls that give a contemporary vibe. The screen porch has a fir beadboard ceiling and the floor is random width white oak planks milled from a 120 year-old tree harvested from the building site to make room for the addition.

Saturday June 27, 1:30 to 3:30pm | Greenwich Village Jane Street and 11th Street Gardens by Robin Key of Robin Key Landscape Architecture See the hidden side of Greenwich Village with an exclusive visit to two enchanting townhouse gardens. The first, on Jane Street, includes a front garden, rear garden, and second floor terrace. In the rear garden a large, curved seatwall defines the space, creating a niche for the garden’s dining table and providing additional seating. Custom-made copper planters hold lush, shade-tolerant plantings backed by a cedar and copper trellis, adding warmth and texture to the walled garden. Tucked away in a corner, a compact outdoor kitchen provides the perfect spot from which to entertain. A quick walk will take attendees to 11th Street, where the design for this townhouse rear garden is structured around three outdoor rooms. The geometry of the contemporary space is softened with lush, massed plantings, while two columnar hornbeams provide height. The perimeter fence takes design cues from the steel deck and railings, while the bluestone paving in the upper areas echoes the floor pattern inside the home. Photo by Francine Fleischer

This master bathroom is located on the basement slab level of their home, offering a sidewalk and patio for accessibility so creating a space that will be functional, as well as accessible in considering the future was necessary. Must have's: Ease of cleaning, accessibility, walk in bathroom, jetted tub, led partial moon mirror design, moody- contemporary feel. We created a walk in shower with large format tile for less grout along the full back wall with a subway tile feature to break up space between the vanity and the shower. This same subway theme, mixed from 3 tiles, was matched on the opposing tub wall with a mirrored niche and large format tile for continuity, and flow. The door was changed to a barndoor with a recessed mirror, this allows both function and provides a wide opening. The client can access the bathroom through either the hall or their master bathroom with a zero threshold entry into the bathroom and into the shower. The rounded niche mimics the rounded mirror. Custom dark stained and black wood set off this moody modern bathroom down to the exposed vanity bottle trap and plumb lines, with varying dimmers and lighting to set off this moody vibe. The homeowners were involved every step of the way, down to the custom quartzite countertop. Layout, space planning, design, rendering and plumbing provided by Angie Finton Designs. The amazing and wonderful styling decorations were completed by the homeowner.

Walk-in shower - mid-sized modern kids' blue tile and glass tile porcelain tile and gray floor walk-in shower idea in New York with recessed-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, quartzite countertops, white countertops, a two-piece toilet and a hinged shower door

© Aaron Leitz
Minimalist deck photo in Austin