A large custom built 3-bin compost bin is tucked into a corner of the yard. Patricia Larenas, Urban Artichoke
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary partial sun backyard mulch vegetable garden landscape in San Francisco.

A young family with a wooded, triangular lot in Ipswich, Massachusetts wanted to take on a highly creative, organic, and unrushed process in designing their new home. The parents of three boys had contemporary ideas for living, including phasing the construction of different structures over time as the kids grew so they could maximize the options for use on their land. They hoped to build a net zero energy home that would be cozy on the very coldest days of winter, using cost-efficient methods of home building. The house needed to be sited to minimize impact on the land and trees, and it was critical to respect a conservation easement on the south border of the lot. Finally, the design would be contemporary in form and feel, but it would also need to fit into a classic New England context, both in terms of materials used and durability. We were asked to honor the notions of “surprise and delight,” and that inspired everything we designed for the family. The highly unique home consists of a three-story form, composed mostly of bedrooms and baths on the top two floors and a cross axis of shared living spaces on the first level. This axis extends out to an oversized covered porch, open to the south and west. The porch connects to a two-story garage with flex space above, used as a guest house, play room, and yoga studio depending on the day. A floor-to-ceiling ribbon of glass wraps the south and west walls of the lower level, bringing in an abundance of natural light and linking the entire open plan to the yard beyond. The master suite takes up the entire top floor, and includes an outdoor deck with a shower. The middle floor has extra height to accommodate a variety of multi-level play scenarios in the kids’ rooms. Many of the materials used in this house are made from recycled or environmentally friendly content, or they come from local sources. The high performance home has triple glazed windows and all materials, adhesives, and sealants are low toxicity and safe for growing kids. Photographer credit: Irvin Serrano

Dana Thompson Photography

At Simply Clean we specialize in Fabric Upholstery Cleaning. We offer several unique cleaning methods developed by our cutting edge team to ensure the BEST possible results on a multitude of delicate natural fibers and woven fabrics. Attention to detail, patience, and expertise are critical when working with these delicate upholstery fabrics. Upholstery cleaning services in Houston, Texas.

At Simply Clean we specialize in Fabric Upholstery Cleaning. We offer several unique cleaning methods developed by our cutting edge team to ensure the BEST possible results on a multitude of delicate natural fibers and woven fabrics. Attention to detail, patience, and expertise are critical when working with these delicate upholstery fabrics. Upholstery cleaning services in Houston, Texas.

At Simply Clean we specialize in Fabric Upholstery Cleaning. We offer several unique cleaning methods developed by our cutting edge team to ensure the BEST possible results on a multitude of delicate natural fibers and woven fabrics. Attention to detail, patience, and expertise are critical when working with these delicate upholstery fabrics. Upholstery cleaning services in Houston, Texas.

At Simply Clean we specialize in Fabric Upholstery Cleaning. We offer several unique cleaning methods developed by our cutting edge team to ensure the BEST possible results on a multitude of delicate natural fibers and woven fabrics. Attention to detail, patience, and expertise are critical when working with these delicate upholstery fabrics. Upholstery cleaning services in Houston, Texas.

At Simply Clean we specialize in Fabric Upholstery Cleaning. We offer several unique cleaning methods developed by our cutting edge team to ensure the BEST possible results on a multitude of delicate natural fibers and woven fabrics. Attention to detail, patience, and expertise are critical when working with these delicate upholstery fabrics. Upholstery cleaning services in Houston, Texas.

At Simply Clean we specialize in Fabric Upholstery Cleaning. We offer several unique cleaning methods developed by our cutting edge team to ensure the BEST possible results on a multitude of delicate natural fibers and woven fabrics. Attention to detail, patience, and expertise are critical when working with these delicate upholstery fabrics. Upholstery cleaning services in Houston, Texas.

At Simply Clean we specialize in Fabric Upholstery Cleaning. We offer several unique cleaning methods developed by our cutting edge team to ensure the BEST possible results on a multitude of delicate natural fibers and woven fabrics. Attention to detail, patience, and expertise are critical when working with these delicate upholstery fabrics. Upholstery cleaning services in Houston, Texas.

At Simply Clean we specialize in Fabric Upholstery Cleaning. We offer several unique cleaning methods developed by our cutting edge team to ensure the BEST possible results on a multitude of delicate natural fibers and woven fabrics. Attention to detail, patience, and expertise are critical when working with these delicate upholstery fabrics. Upholstery cleaning services in Houston, Texas.

Michelle Drewes Photography
Inspiration for a transitional home office remodel in Santa Barbara

Transitional galley eat-in kitchen photo in Orange County with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash and an island

Design ideas for a traditional partial sun wood fence landscaping in New York with a pergola.

A young family with a wooded, triangular lot in Ipswich, Massachusetts wanted to take on a highly creative, organic, and unrushed process in designing their new home. The parents of three boys had contemporary ideas for living, including phasing the construction of different structures over time as the kids grew so they could maximize the options for use on their land. They hoped to build a net zero energy home that would be cozy on the very coldest days of winter, using cost-efficient methods of home building. The house needed to be sited to minimize impact on the land and trees, and it was critical to respect a conservation easement on the south border of the lot. Finally, the design would be contemporary in form and feel, but it would also need to fit into a classic New England context, both in terms of materials used and durability. We were asked to honor the notions of “surprise and delight,” and that inspired everything we designed for the family. The highly unique home consists of a three-story form, composed mostly of bedrooms and baths on the top two floors and a cross axis of shared living spaces on the first level. This axis extends out to an oversized covered porch, open to the south and west. The porch connects to a two-story garage with flex space above, used as a guest house, play room, and yoga studio depending on the day. A floor-to-ceiling ribbon of glass wraps the south and west walls of the lower level, bringing in an abundance of natural light and linking the entire open plan to the yard beyond. The master suite takes up the entire top floor, and includes an outdoor deck with a shower. The middle floor has extra height to accommodate a variety of multi-level play scenarios in the kids’ rooms. Many of the materials used in this house are made from recycled or environmentally friendly content, or they come from local sources. The high performance home has triple glazed windows and all materials, adhesives, and sealants are low toxicity and safe for growing kids. Photographer credit: Irvin Serrano

Photo: Kimberley Bryan © 2016 Houzz
This is an example of a traditional landscaping in Seattle.

A young family with a wooded, triangular lot in Ipswich, Massachusetts wanted to take on a highly creative, organic, and unrushed process in designing their new home. The parents of three boys had contemporary ideas for living, including phasing the construction of different structures over time as the kids grew so they could maximize the options for use on their land. They hoped to build a net zero energy home that would be cozy on the very coldest days of winter, using cost-efficient methods of home building. The house needed to be sited to minimize impact on the land and trees, and it was critical to respect a conservation easement on the south border of the lot. Finally, the design would be contemporary in form and feel, but it would also need to fit into a classic New England context, both in terms of materials used and durability. We were asked to honor the notions of “surprise and delight,” and that inspired everything we designed for the family. The highly unique home consists of a three-story form, composed mostly of bedrooms and baths on the top two floors and a cross axis of shared living spaces on the first level. This axis extends out to an oversized covered porch, open to the south and west. The porch connects to a two-story garage with flex space above, used as a guest house, play room, and yoga studio depending on the day. A floor-to-ceiling ribbon of glass wraps the south and west walls of the lower level, bringing in an abundance of natural light and linking the entire open plan to the yard beyond. The master suite takes up the entire top floor, and includes an outdoor deck with a shower. The middle floor has extra height to accommodate a variety of multi-level play scenarios in the kids’ rooms. Many of the materials used in this house are made from recycled or environmentally friendly content, or they come from local sources. The high performance home has triple glazed windows and all materials, adhesives, and sealants are low toxicity and safe for growing kids. Photographer credit: Irvin Serrano

This project won in the 2013 Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh Housing Excellence Award for Best Urban Renewal Renovation Project. The glass bowl was made in the glass studio owned by the owner which is adjacent to the residence. The mirror is a repurposed window. The door is repurposed from a boarding house. George Mendel

Treatment For Residential Waste water Every home generates wastewater and while there is no way of getting away from this fact, it is good to know that there are quite a few options when it comes to treating residential wastewater. The traditional septic tank For a very long time, the septic tank ruled the roost when it came to residential water treatment. This tank is a fairly simple construction and is very widely used. It relies on the sedimentation process to deal with residential wastewater. Sometimes the septic tank can be boosted in its processes with the use of: • Flocculates. • Chemical inputs. • Patented or proprietary technology and so on. Use of chemical methods Processes such as chlorination have emerged as cost effective methods to treat wastewater. At the heart of the following processes is the use of a chemical agent and a chemical reaction to get the wastewater treated: • Ion exchange. • Adsorption. • Chlorination. • Use of polyvalent metals for coagulation and so on. Biological processes In a very unique wastewater treatment approach – bacteria are used to break down the components of wastewater! Of course there is a lot of science and research that has gone into these methods of treating wastewater. For instance, the use of a septic tank, as stated above is a biological, anaerobic method of treatment. Biological processes will also cater for destroying any disease causing organisms. The combined approach Residential wastewater is also treated with the use of a combination of methods. For instance, a device that uses an aerobic approach to wastewater treatment will also have mechanical components to get the process to be even more effective. It is critical to invest in a system that promises total – 100% - treatment of the wastewater. If the residential wastewater is not treated comprehensively then the effluents can cause all kinds of health issues to the people in the property. Effective systems If you are scouting for a system to help in treating residential wastewater then you should know that there are systems that are sophisticated in their working. Flow equalization to ensure 100% treatment and the use of an internet based alarm system make such products very effective and energy efficient too. It is also a good idea to check with your local sanitation authorities before investing in products so you can ensure you are compliant with all local health and public safety rules and regulations. For instance, using NSF certified systems can help in this regard.