Search results for "Criticisms" in Home Design Ideas

We recently participated in a Designer Showhouse for a historic home in Bayport, NY. We were asked to do the dining room, kitchen and laundry room. Due to the homes proximity to the ocean we chose ocean blues as our theme color. Although the room itself is a good size we did not want to overwhelm it with furniture and instead chose accent pieces that draw the viewers attention to the beautifully restored chair rail on the walls. The bamboo rug blends nicely with the restored floors, thus offering it protection in the table area but not detracting from the floors natural beauty. We chose to work with the existing chandelier in keeping with the style of the home. We changed the glass to shades on the chandelier to give the room softer feel. We thank Barbara Leogrande of Douglas Elliman for offering us the opportunity to work on this beautifully restored historic home.

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Complete Hillside Backyard Renovation, El Paso – by GoDesigns
This breathtaking backyard transformation in the historic area of El Paso, Texas, is a shining example of GoDesigns’ vision, expertise, and resilience. Situated on a challenging hillside property, the original backyard installed in 2005 was plagued by critical design flaws that led to a complete failure of the outdoor space. The existing negative edge pool, improperly installed with insufficient grade, drainage, and support, caused massive water loss and structural issues. The consequences were severe — the side rock wall broke in half, the backyard destabilized, and even a portion of the house was compromised.
GoDesigns was brought in to turn crisis into opportunity. During the height of COVID-19, they launched Phase 1 of a multi-phase master plan to restore and reinvent the space. The entire backyard was demolished, including the compromised pool shell. The broken negative edge section was filled in, making way for a reimagined pool design. A new, reinforced pool structure was shot, finished with 5cm tumbled travertine coping, oversized mossrock boulders, new waterline tile, and a premium PebbleTec interior.
Beneath the beauty lies smart engineering: GoDesigns replaced all plumbing and regraded the property, applying subsurface remediation and compaction techniques to ensure long-term stability. A new rocksalt steel reinforced concrete deck was poured, replacing the narrow wraparound layout with a spacious, functional outdoor living area. Now, the family enjoys ample room for chaise lounges, alfresco dining, and relaxing by the existing outdoor fireplace — luxuries they never had before.
GoDesigns didn’t stop there. Advanced drainage systems — including underground piping, box drains, and planter drains — were installed to protect the integrity of the hillside. These systems are integrated into leveled planters that not only beautify the space but also reinforce the structure of the pool and surrounding terrain.
Phase 2 focused on upgrading the patio directly outside the main house, while Phase 3 was the final touch — a lush landscape planting plan paired with elegant outdoor lighting to enhance ambiance and curb appeal.
What was once a scene of despair is now a luxurious retreat — completed in thoughtfully timed phases over four years. Thanks to GoDesigns’ master planning and unwavering commitment, this hillside haven is a true testament to transformation. The clients are now looking forward to their next chapter: the front yard.
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Custom stargazing area designed and built by Southern Landscape. A critical area on a beautiful property, this stargazing area anchors the path tying the pool and cabana to the main home. The pergola is built using natural, raw cedar lumber on a base of limestone for seating.

The first thing you notice about this property is the stunning views of the mountains, and our clients wanted to showcase this. We selected pieces that complement and highlight the scenery. Our clients were in love with their brown leather couches, so we knew we wanted to keep them from the beginning. This was the focal point for the selections in the living room, and we were able to create a cohesive, rustic, mountain-chic space. The home office was another critical part of the project as both clients work from home. We repurposed a handmade table that was made by the client’s family and used it as a double-sided desk. We painted the fireplace in a gorgeous green accent to make it pop.
Finding the balance between statement pieces and statement views made this project a unique and incredibly rewarding experience.
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Project designed by Miami interior designer Margarita Bravo. She serves Miami as well as surrounding areas such as Coconut Grove, Key Biscayne, Miami Beach, North Miami Beach, and Hallandale Beach.
For more about MARGARITA BRAVO, click here: https://www.margaritabravo.com/
To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.margaritabravo.com/portfolio/mountain-chic-modern-rustic-home-denver/

Alair Homes is committed to quality throughout every stage of the building process and in every detail of your new custom home or home renovation. We guarantee superior work because we perform quality assurance checks at every stage of the building process. Before anything is covered up – even before city building inspectors come to your home – we critically examine our work to ensure that it lives up to our extraordinarily high standards.
We are proud of our extraordinary high building standards as well as our renowned customer service. Every Alair Homes custom home comes with a two year national home warranty as well as an Alair Homes guarantee and includes complimentary 3, 6 and 12 month inspections after completion.
During our proprietary construction process every detail is accessible to Alair Homes clients online 24 hours a day to view project details, schedules, sub trade quotes, pricing in order to give Alair Homes clients 100% control over every single item regardless how small.

Millennia frameless, Nova door style in Maple with a Pecan stain. With a studio floorplan, creating a cohesive look is critical. These homeowners used the same cabinets found in their kitchen to craft a streamlined media center with lots of closed-door storage.

Alair Homes is committed to quality throughout every stage of the building process and in every detail of your new custom home or home renovation. We guarantee superior work because we perform quality assurance checks at every stage of the building process. Before anything is covered up – even before city building inspectors come to your home – we critically examine our work to ensure that it lives up to our extraordinarily high standards.
We are proud of our extraordinary high building standards as well as our renowned customer service. Every Alair Homes custom home comes with a two year national home warranty as well as an Alair Homes guarantee and includes complimentary 3, 6 and 12 month inspections after completion.
During our proprietary construction process every detail is accessible to Alair Homes clients online 24 hours a day to view project details, schedules, sub trade quotes, pricing in order to give Alair Homes clients 100% control over every single item regardless how small.

[?????? ??????????] At the intersection of art and architecture lives our Mobile Greenhouse. This seeming love-child of tom fruin & olson kundig was assembled with salvaged pieces including Sunkist-steel-factory windows, a motorcycle trailer, an old factory hand wheel, a rooftop solar water tank, a kid’s single speed bicycle front/rear sprockets, a chain from a retractable entry gate along with new metal stock from @ims_metals and beautiful art glass from @pacificartglass. p.c. Gary Moss Photography
Function is elevated through beauty and now our herb garden is protected from the adorable bunnies of this Conejo Valley while the structure throws pools of liquid blue and green on the DG. All while re-using leftover parts, some of a bygone era. (Sigh. Oh, single-paned steel windows, we love you - even though you are completely energy inefficient) The parabolic angle-iron arch was critical to the design so we sallied forth through the tantrums it caused. As lovers of #stainedglass in general, we loved seeing this larger scale project come together.

Kitchen – Integrated Tall Cabinet Concealing Mechanical Ductwork | Toronto
This kitchen detail highlights a thoughtful design-build solution where mechanical requirements and cabinetry design work seamlessly together. Behind the tall cabinet beside the refrigerator is a large air supply duct, required by the mechanical engineer to properly deliver conditioned air to the newly added second floor.
Rather than leaving the duct exposed or boxing it in as an obvious bulkhead, we strategically designed a shallow tall cabinet to conceal the ductwork. This approach maintains clean sightlines, preserves the kitchen’s modern aesthetic, and adds valuable storage space—turning a technical constraint into a functional design advantage.
This level of coordination between mechanical engineering, cabinetry layout, and construction execution is critical in full-home renovations and second floor additions, where systems must be upgraded without compromising design. The result is a kitchen that looks intentional, uncluttered, and highly functional—without revealing the complexity behind the walls.
This detail is a clear example of Cedarstone Group Inc.’s design-build philosophy: solve technical challenges early, integrate them thoughtfully, and make the final space feel effortless.

This project was born out of the owner’s passion for cooking. A personal chef to a local family, the kitchen was going to not only be her office, but a training space for students learning her trade. The most important change was to remove a wall and expand the work space by 2 feet.
Adding a prep sink, counter seating and a custom pantry were critical appointments.
The materials selected are modern, clean and fresh. The expansive island combines a warm grey painted cabinet and is topped by waterfall white veined quartz countertops. The matte black plumbing fixtures and hardware create drama and contrast against the white countertops and modern shaker cabinetry. The oversized black dome pendants lend a restaurant vibe to the peninsula seating. The stacked stone backsplash lends texture and dimension, and it’s lines are echoed in the fireplace façade. Being averse to countertop outlets, a power strip was tucked underneath the wall cabinetry to keep the backsplash unobstructed. A picket shaped tile was featured as an accent over the client’s BlueStar range. The client’s original ventilation hood was also repurposed.
A hospitality station was included and features a beverage cooler, glass display cabinetry and set apart with corbel brackets.
The fireplace was refaced with new natural stacked stone in warm greys and touches of spice and features a dark stain wood mantel beam. The recessed niche was fitted with matching lighted floating shelves for display.

With the garage’s prominence at the pedestrian level, a new steel-and-frosted-glass door provides a huge aesthetic and functional improvement over the former door. This critical design element helps to define the updated, modern aesthetic of the home.

Every once in a while, a project comes along that doesn’t just meet expectations—it resets the standard. That’s exactly what happened at Upper Valley project, where the team at GoDesigns El Paso was entrusted with a blank canvas and turned it into a fully integrated luxury retreat, built with precision, purpose, and passion. At the core of this dream backyard is a custom-designed pool and spa, meticulously planned and built together. The pool glows with a Pebble Brilliance finish, its deep, vibrant tones shimmering under sunlight by day and glowing softly under water-lit skies at night. Lightstreams glass tile adds a jewelry-like elegance to the raised spa and the sun shelf, creating rich reflections and textures from every angle. That sundeck isn’t just for lounging—it’s a tactile, thoughtful experience. Designed with Lightstreams glass tile, it’s where kids play, grownups cool off, and everyone can dip their toes and soak their feet in style. It’s as inviting to walk across as it is to sit beside, offering both elegance and functionality. A standout design element is the set of custom stainless steel handrails, elegantly curved and installed with sculptural intent. Not only are they beautiful, but they’re also built to last—resistant to corrosion, timeless in design, and made for safety without sacrificing aesthetics. While beauty was key, so was resilience. The entire project was engineered to meet 100-year flood zone requirements—a critical design element in this El Paso neighborhood. GoDesigns accounted for water flow, elevations, and structural integrity, ensuring that every footing, drainage channel, and grade slope works in harmony with nature. And there’s more than water to love here. The oversized mossrock boulder waterfall along the edge of the putting green is both functional and artistic. Designed as a “table rock” feature, it creates soothing sound and visual movement while anchoring the landscape’s natural side. It’s a conversation piece as much as a sensory experience. Just steps away is a personal putting green and a custom basketball half court, both thoughtfully illuminated for day-to-night enjoyment. The putting green rolls true, edged with boulders and sand pits, while the court boasts pro-level surfacing under bright, architectural pole lighting. The surrounding landscape design ties it all together. Carefully chosen plantings bring color, texture, and balance to the clean stonework and turf areas. Strategic lighting highlights not just the beauty of the plants, but also enhances safety, drama, and ambiance across the entire yard—including the fence lines, water features, and sports zones. Every inch of this Upper Valley Project was built for purpose, performance, and passion. It’s a space where families gather, grand kids play, and memories are made—all under the sun and stars of West Texas. This is what happens when GoDesigns El Paso gets to do what they do best: combine timeless design, elite materials, and masterful installation to create outdoor living environments that are not only beautiful, but unforgettable.

UltraMedia featured in Electronic House magazine:
"Reaching this point of acoustical nirvana required plenty of calculations, CAD drawings and calibration, says Mike Brock of custom electronics design and installation firm UltraMedia, Richardson, Texas. His company worked directly with the manufacturer—Auralex—to make sure every inch of wall surface, both inside and out, was covered with the perfect type and amount of acoustical material. “We sent the room dimensions and the planned locations of the video projector, speakers and other equipment to the engineers at Auralex,” Brock explains. Using this information, the company was able to specify products and determine their proper placement. “This was the first time where I actually had the manufacturer come down and take an active role in the project and it really worked to everyone’s advantage,” Brock continues.
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Auralex’s help with the design of the acoustical treatments afforded Brock the time to implement other sound-enhancing solutions. For example, he filled the hollow metal legs of the bar with sand to prevent them from resonating during loud passages in movie soundtracks. A thick, heavily padded carpet was added, and the general contractor constructed the shell of the room with sound-reducing drywall and installed a solid core door to prevent audio from seeping out into other areas of the house.
Lastly, the sound system was calibrated. Unlike many acoustically treated theaters, where the speakers are installed within the walls and covered with special fabric, in this room UltraMedia kept the nine Vienna Acoustic speakers completely exposed. The front three Vienna Acoustics Klimt Music speakers (as well as two REL sub bass units) were positioned on the floor, and the back six speakers were mounted to the surface of the walls. “The cherry in this theater are the Klimts,” says Brock. “We really dialed them in for the best possible sound.” By “dialing in,” Brock means using his and his team’s critical listening skills to position the speakers properly, then using the Integra receiver’s built-in Audyssey technology (a combination of sophisticated software and microphones) to calibrate the speakers to compensate for any acoustical anomalies. The end result: audio perfection."
Photo credit: UltraMedia, Inc.

We love when our clients trust us enough to do a second project for them. In the case of this couple looking for a NYC Pied-a-Terre – this was our 4th! After designing their homes in Bernardsville, NJ and San Diego, CA and a home for their daughter in Orange County, CA, we were called up for duty on the search for a NYC apartment which would accommodate this couple with room enough for their four children as well!
What we cherish most about working with clients is the trust that develops over time. In this case, not only were we asked to come on board for design and project coordination, but we also helped with the actual apartment selection decision between locations in TriBeCa, Upper West Side and the West Village. The TriBeCa building didn’t have enough services in the building; the Upper West Side neighborhood was too busy and impersonal; and, the West Village apartment was just right.
Our work on this apartment was to oversee the design and build-out of the combination of a 3,000 square foot 3-bedroom unit with a 1,000 square foot 1-bedroom unit. We reorganized the space to accommodate this family of 6. The living room in the 1 bedroom became the media room; the kitchen became a bar; and the bedroom became a guest suite.
The most amazing feature of this apartment are its views – uptown to the Empire State Building, downtown to the Statue of Liberty and west for the most vibrant sunsets. We opened up the space to create view lines through the apartment all the way back into the home office.
Customizing New York City apartments takes creativity and patience. In order to install recessed lighting, Ray devised a floating ceiling situated below the existing concrete ceiling to accept the wiring and housing.
In the design of the space, we wanted to create a flow and continuity between the public spaces. To do this, we designed walnut panels which run from the center hall through the media room into the office and on to the sitting room. The richness of the wood helps ground the space and draws your eye to the lightness of the gorgeous views. For additional light capture, we designed a 9 foot by 10 foot metal and mirror wall treatment in the living room. The purpose is to catch the light and reflect it back into the living space creating expansiveness and brightness.
Adding unique and meaningful art pieces is the critical final stage of design. For the master bedroom, we commissioned Ira Lohan, a Santa Fe, NM artist we know, to create a totem with glass feathers. This piece was inspired by folklore from his Native American roots which says home is defined by where an eagle’s feathers land. Ira drove this piece across the country and delivered and installed it himself!!

Over the years, my jobs have involved collaborating with homeowners, business owners, architects and contractors analyzing and designing plans for new construction and remodels, renovating kitchens, designing fireplaces, cabinetry, lighting, window treatments and furnishings.
But even more important than the design, I believe the ability to communicate all the ideas and concepts of the design to the various trades people involved is critical to achieving the end results my clients and I envision.
My 35 years in the business as well as my academic background in design have given me the ability to confidently provide this service. Give me a call, I'd love to hear from you and discuss your project.

The Legendary Rockstar Pool Build — A Backyard Concert Venue and Custom Swimming Pool
The Rockstar Pool is one of the most ambitious, imaginative, and large-scale residential pool builds ever completed by Legendary Escapes. Designed and built by Al Curtis, this project was created for a homeowner whose entire life revolves around performance, music, and living boldly.
This is far more than a swimming pool.
It is a backyard concert venue, a sculpted grotto, a hot tub, a swim-up bar, a VIP lounge, a performance platform, and a fully engineered artistic environment built as a single cohesive experience.
A Client With a True Rockstar Life
The homeowner’s request was simple in spirit but extraordinary in scale: create a pool environment that matched a life centered on creativity and performance. His background includes jousting at the Michigan Renaissance Festival, on-stage theatrical work, a home rebuilt around music and entertainment, and longstanding connections within the rock world. With a 16-acre horse farm and a passion for bold design, he needed a pool that reflected his personality.
His project requirements included a grotto, waterfall, hot tub, swim-up bar, performance area, and multiple lounging zones. Every feature had to feel original, dramatic, and purposeful.
The Design Vision
Designer and builder Al Curtis immediately recognized that this build needed to be expansive, theatrical, and seamlessly integrated into the landscape. The pool needed to make a statement without obstructing panoramic views of the surrounding farm and open sky.
The spark for the design came from an unexpected source: steel grates salvaged from an old carnival tilt-a-whirl ride. This inspired the concept of a floating performance stage built over the pool. What began as a small idea quickly grew into a large-scale platform complete with a concrete stage, integrated lighting, waterfalls, backstage areas, and custom metalwork. As the stage expanded, so did the pool, the patio, and the entire environment—ultimately transforming the backyard into a private amphitheater.
Repurposed Materials Used as Art
Legendary Escapes is known for incorporating reclaimed materials into artistic, sculptural pool environments. This project includes an extraordinary collection of repurposed components:
Tilt-a-whirl steel used as the main stage structure
Carnival flooring panels transformed into large fire-feature guitars
Trumpet and trombone bells refitted as lighting fixtures
Reclaimed street lamps custom-painted for poolside lighting
3D-printed album covers used as illuminated wall panels
Concrete replicas of Marshall speakers integrated under the stage
Every material was selected to bring character, history, and energy to the space.
Artistic Features and Highlights
The Rockstar Pool includes numerous custom artistic elements, such as:
A ten-foot mosaic “album cover” inset into the pool floor
Eight-foot sculpted guitars along the fence line
Guitar-shaped fire features
Backlit album panels positioned just above the water
A “Rockstar” sign paired with sculpted concrete amplifier towers
A VIP seating area built from restored tilt-a-whirl ride cars
Every corner of the environment contains layered artistic details.
Engineering Challenges and Solutions
Creating a fully functional concert stage over the deep end of the pool required extensive planning and engineering. Key complexities included:
Designing a safe, weight-bearing steel and concrete stage structure
Adjusting stage elevation mid-build to achieve optimal height
Installing three complete filtration systems concealed beneath the stage
Applying ecoFinish throughout the pool, spa, and grotto
Rebuilding existing decking and integrating a three-story observation tower
Ensuring the massive pool structure preserved the property’s sightlines
The technical demands of this project were matched only by the creative vision behind it.
The Legendary Team
This build was completed by a multi-generational team of craftsmen and artists, including:
Al Curtis – Designer and builder
Jesse Curtis – Project manager and construction artist
Mark Curtis – Filtration systems and plumbing
Annie Curtis – Stonework and water features
Karen Olson – Tile, stonework, and patio murals
Frank DiPiazza – Structural construction and decking
Brendan Schafer – On-site support and maintenance
dbaker designs – Custom mosaic creation
Daren Baker – Custom metal guitars and lighting elements
Each contributor played a critical role in shaping the final environment.
A Client Who Trusted the Process
As with many Legendary Escapes projects, this build evolved organically. The homeowner provided inspiration and trust, allowing the team to respond to the evolving environment. Several features—including the guitar fence, fire elements, and VIP seating area—were conceived and built during the process as the design revealed new opportunities.
The Final Result
The Rockstar Pool is now a fully functional concert venue, swimming pool, artistic installation, and outdoor living space. It is dramatic, expressive, engineered with care, and truly one-of-a-kind. This project reflects the homeowner’s personality and passion, and stands as one of the most ambitious designs ever produced by Legendary Escapes.

Our customers loved their home's kitchen but felt that it didn't convey their personal tastes and aesthetics. Not only did they want a kitchen that was brighter and had better functionality (they are dedicated home cooks), they wanted a more industrial look and feel to the space.
Our design team helped give them this by creatively adding and updating many parts of the kitchen, including the glass-walled cabinets, wine cabinet area, beverage center, and more. Important design features include the pull outs for spices and kitchen tools which had to be sturdy to withstand constant use. MOSS relocated the appliances, enlarged the side peninsula and updated the mudroom and pantry. One important part of the remodel was keeping the flooring the same as the original – patching in the flooring was critical and, while delayed due to supply chain issues, is now perfectly in place.

Staircase – Custom Detailed Vertical Connection | Second Floor Addition, Toronto
This staircase is a key architectural feature of the home, thoughtfully designed as part of the second floor addition to create a seamless and inviting connection between levels. Rather than feeling enclosed or purely functional, the stair was intentionally planned to remain open, light-filled, and visually integrated with the surrounding spaces.
The design showcases a custom railing system, combining glass panels with a continuous oak handrail and black metal detailing, striking a balance between warmth and modern contrast. The transparency of the glass allows natural light to flow freely through the stairwell, enhancing sightlines and preventing the vertical transition from feeling closed off.
From a construction standpoint, the staircase required precise structural coordination, framing alignment, and finish integration to ensure safety, code compliance, and long-term durability—especially critical when tying a new second storey into an existing home.
As part of the full-home transformation, this staircase reflects Cedarstone Group Inc.’s design-build philosophy: every transition space is an opportunity for thoughtful design, craftsmanship, and cohesion, not an afterthought.

Building materials are one of the primary sources of indoor air contaminants that negatively affect the health of our living spaces The EcoCraft team has meticulously selected building materials that are healthy, recyclable, and free of harmful contaminants thereby improving the health of our homes.
Consistent temperatures between floors, rooms, and surfaces play a critical role in how humans experience true comfort. Consider also, quiet spaces free of outside ambient noise have been proven to improve sleep, focus, and productivity. Our extra thick walls and energy star windows reduce sound transfer between the interior and exterior spaces, while our state of the art mechanical systems run quietly to provide an experience you can feel, but can barely hear. Call 1-800-274-6198 to start custom designing your dream luxury home today.
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