Search results for "Criticisms" in Home Design Ideas

Cool, Contemporary, Curb appeal now feels like home!!! This complete exterior home renovation & curb appeal now makes sense with the interior remodel our client had installed prior to us gettting started!!! The modifications made to this home, along with premium materials makes this home feel cozy, cool & comfortable. Its as though the home has come alive, making this same space more functional & feel so much better, a new found energy. The existing traditional missized semi-circle driveway that took up the entire frontyard was removed. This allowed us to design & install a new more functional driveway as well as create a huge courtyard that not only adds privacy and protection, it looks and feels incredible. Now our client can actually use the front yard for more than just parking cars. The modification addition of 5 stucco columns creates the feeling of a much larger space than what was there prior...who know that these cosmectic columns would actually feel like arms that wrap around the new curb appeal...almost like a vibe of protection. The contrasting paint colors add more movement and depth continuing the feeling of this great space! The new smooth limestone courtyard and custom iron "x" designed fence & gates create a weight type feeling that not only adds privacy, it just feels & looks solid. Its as if its a silent barrier between the homeowners inside and the rest of the world. Our clients now feel comfortable in there new found outdoor living spaces behind the courtyard walls. A place for family, friends and neighbors can easliy conversate & relax. Whether hanging out with the kids or just watching the kids play around in the frontyard, the courtyard was critical to adding a much needed play space. Art is brought into the picture with 2 stone wall monuments...one adding the address numbers with low voltage ligthing to one side of the yard and another that adds balance to the opposite side with custom cut in light fixtures that says... this... is... thee, house! Drystack 8" bed rough chop buff leuders stone planters & short walls outline and accentuate the forever lawn turf as well as the new plant life & lighting. The limestone serves as a grade wall for leveling, as well as the walls are completely permeable for long life and function. Something every parapet home should have, we've added custom down spouts tied to an under ground drainage system. Another way we add longevity to each project. Lastly...lighting is the icing on the cake. Wall lights, path light, down lights, up lights & step lights are all to important along with every light location is considerd as to add a breath taking ambiance of envy. No airplane runway or helicopter landing lights here. We cant wait for summer as the landscape is sure to fill up with color in every corner of this beautiful new outdoor space.

Wallpaper Installation – Basement in Arlington Heights
Transform your underutilized basement into a stunning living space with professional wallpaper installation designed for Arlington Heights homes. As your local wallpaper specialist, I specialize in creating beautiful, functional below-grade spaces with:
✔ Basement-Specific Expertise
Moisture-resistant vinyl wallpaper and fabric-backed options
Specialized adhesives for concrete or paneled walls
Pattern matching that accommodates uneven surfaces
✔ Arlington Heights Solutions
Materials tested for Chicagoland's seasonal humidity changes
Light-enhancing finishes to brighten windowless areas
Sound-absorbing textures for entertainment spaces
✔ Complete Basement Services
Feature walls for home theaters or game rooms
Ceiling treatments to elevate low ceilings
Wallpaper repair for existing installations
Why Arlington Heights Homeowners Choose Us:
✔ Free Moisture Evaluation – Critical for basement installations
✔ HOA Compliance Knowledge – Familiar with local community standards
✔ 1-2 Day Transformations – Efficient project completion
✔ Flexible Scheduling – Work around your family's routine
Popular Arlington Heights Basement Styles:
• Modern Entertainer – Sleek metallics or geometric patterns
• Cozy Library – Rich textures and warm tones
• Sports Den – Team colors and memorabilia displays
• Rustic Retreat – Faux wood or stone appearances
Serving All of Arlington Heights – From downtown condos to suburban family homes.

Elegant French Provincial Railings in Haddonfield: A Harmonious Blend of Style and Elegance
Project Overview
In the charming town of Haddonfield, a client sought to enhance the exterior of their French Provincial home with railings that would seamlessly complement its elegant architectural style. Our mission was to design and install a railing system that not only matched the home's aesthetic but also added a touch of timeless sophistication.
Design Approach
Understanding the importance of maintaining the integrity of the French Provincial style, we selected Type One Balusters for their classic and ornate design. These balusters are known for their intricate details and elegant profiles, making them an ideal match for the sophisticated appearance of French Provincial architecture.
Newel Posts and Rosette Rail Enders
To further enhance the classic look, we incorporated beautifully crafted Newel Posts. These posts, acting as anchoring elements at intervals along the railing, not only provide structural support but also elevate the design with their decorative appeal. The Newel Posts were carefully selected to mirror the intricate detailing and grandeur typical of French Provincial design.
Complementing the Newel Posts, we installed Rosette Rail Enders at critical junctions. These enders, featuring a distinctive rosette design, added a flourish of artistic detail that harmonizes with the overall aesthetic. Their inclusion was a nod to the ornamental elements often seen in traditional French design, thereby tying the entire railing system together.
Installation and Final Touches
The installation process was carried out with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that each component aligned perfectly with the architectural nuances of the home. Our team worked diligently to integrate the railings in a way that they appeared as original elements of the house, rather than additions.
Conclusion
The completed project in Haddonfield stands as a testament to the beauty of tailored craftsmanship. The railings, with their Type One Balusters, Newel Posts, and Rosette Rail Enders, flawlessly match the home's French Provincial style, adding both functionality and an enhanced aesthetic charm. This project is a perfect example of how thoughtful design and expert execution can bring a homeowner's vision to life, creating a harmonious and elegant exterior that resonates with the home's inherent character.
Find the right local pro for your project

Playground with critical fall height rating of 8' treated with HydroChill Cooling infill. Turf areas installed throughout the entire project. Attachment treated boards set to correct height.

Lighting is so critical to any homes presentation. The right lighting can take a home from just one home in the neighborhood to the stand out home in the area. Ron was able to show off his street of dreams home day and night because of the well balanced and placed exterior lighting. Outdoor living is almost year 'round in Arizona and Ron took full advantage of that with patios and sitting areas all around the home.

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.
Project designed by Montecito interior designer Margarita Bravo. She serves Montecito as well as surrounding areas such as Hope Ranch, Summerland, Santa Barbara, Isla Vista, Mission Canyon, Carpinteria, Goleta, Ojai, Los Olivos, and Solvang.
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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/

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.

Example of an arts and crafts medium tone wood floor sunroom design in Kansas City with a standard ceiling

Playground with critical fall height rating of 8' treated with HydroChill Cooling infill. Turf areas installed throughout the entire project. Attachment treated boards set to correct height.

Historical Renovation
Objective: The homeowners asked us to join the project after partial demo and construction was in full
swing. Their desire was to significantly enlarge and update the charming mid-century modern home to
meet the needs of their joined families and frequent social gatherings. It was critical though that the
expansion be seamless between old and new, where one feels as if the home “has always been this
way”.
Solution: We created spaces within rooms that allowed family to gather and socialize freely or allow for
private conversations. As constant entertainers, the couple wanted easier access to their favorite wines
than having to go to the basement cellar. A custom glass and stainless steel wine cellar was created
where bottles seem to float in the space between the dining room and kitchen area.
A nineteen foot long island dominates the great room as well as any social gathering where it is
generally spread from end to end with food and surrounded by friends and family.
Aside of the master suite, three oversized bedrooms each with a large en suite bath provide plenty of
space for kids returning from college and frequent visits from friends and family.
A neutral color palette was chosen throughout to bring warmth into the space but not fight with the
clients’ collections of art, antique rugs and furnishings. Soaring ceiling, windows and huge sliding doors
bring the naturalness of the large wooded lot inside while lots of natural wood and stone was used to
further complement the outdoors and their love of nature.
Outside, a large ground level fire-pit surrounded by comfortable chairs is another favorite gathering
spot.

Eilien and Kim's property relatively small property is located at the end of a long oak-tree-lined driveway. Once past the huge 55" oak tree, the property reveals a grove of 40" redwoods, as well as two gargantuan 65" redwoods smack dab in the middle of the buildable area. Eilien and Kim desired a home that celebrates these beautiful mature trees and that blended the indoor-outdoor barrier.
The home that Aardvark Architecture designed for their family takes the shape of a pseudo-courtyard home built right up to the critical root zones of the gargantuan redwoods in the middle of the lot. Full-height sliding glass doors are centered on these huge trees and open directly onto a large deck built tight to these unique feature trees.
A rich material palette of redwood siding and brick veneer blends in harmoniously with the serenely wooded site. Large banks of skylights allow for views of the huge oak tree canopy that would otherwise have been blocked off by other spaces.
The second floor is accessed by a light-filled staircase that wraps around a redwood-clad elevator shaft. When coming down the stairs, the full-height windows direct the eye towards a grove of 40" redwood trees.
The second floor hosts a luxurious master suite, as well as a second bedroom and a home gym. These spaces are raised up into the canopy of the mature redwood and oak trees, and incorporate full-height windows so the residents can take full advantage of these beautiful specimens.

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.

The never used soaking tub was removed to create a petite sauna with a view for two fun-loving people.
It was critical to retain the mountain views and look beautiful when not in use.
Blue-tooth speakers + chromotherapy lights + ice bucket were added in for a true homeopathic retreat for this hard-working couple.

Beth Roose Schneckenburger - Chattanooga, TN.
& Dawn D Totty Designs- Chattanooga, TN.
Second photo is too dark and not a good angle for an MLS photo. Professional photo's are critical for the first impression the potential buyers when they are scouring the home listings.

Designed by world renowned architect Tadao Ando in 1998 for the Art Institute of Chicago. This gallery envelops the intimate architecture of the sixteen columns standing within. Due to critical lighting upgrades 20+ years later, the curatorial team requested a new look at the lighting within this intimate gallery. Simple angled custom light wells were designed to hide pinspot LEDs at the bottom of the screens to ensure even illumination without distracting from the seamless architecture Ando designed years earlier. WiFi enabled track lighting was installed overhead to allow the curators and installers to change settings from outside the tight case. The effect is even and flexible for future installations and maintains the low 5 footcandle limit required by conservation.

Both natural and artificial lighting is critical in a space. The key is steer clear from light pollution. Our designers will help you create the perfect lighting ambience that works best for you!

These homeowners wanted to freshen up their master bath and at the same time, improve it's overall function and retain/accentuate it's vintage qualities. There was nothing wrong with the hex tile floor, toilet, or vintage tub. The toilet was repurposed, the floor was cleaned up, and the tub refinished. Cabinetry and vintage trim was added in critical locations along with a new, taller one-sink vanity. Removing an overlay revealed a beautiful vintage door leading to storage space under the East roof. Photos by Greg Schmidt. Cabinets by Housecraft Remodeling.

A spectacular exterior will stand out and reflect the general style of the house. Beautiful house exterior design can be complemented with attractive architectural features.
Unique details can include beautiful landscaping ideas, gorgeous exterior color combinations, outdoor lighting, charming fences, and a spacious porch. These all enhance the beauty of your home’s exterior design and improve its curb appeal.
Whether your home is traditional, modern, or contemporary, exterior design plays a critical role. It allows homeowners to make a great first impression but also add value to their homes.

We all want a bathroom that would be a reflection of our personal style and be able to deliver the comfort we need at the same time. If your bathroom is a part of your master bedroom, it is critical to blend the design. This is a good way for you to plan your bathroom layout around the idea of what’s functional.

The Home
While looking for space where their active family could expand, these homeowners turned to Black Forest, with trees that remind them of their Indiana years. A stunning Pikes Peak view underscores how fortunate they are to live in Colorado. This home features classic nods to the owner’s French heritage while embracing a thoroughly of-the-moment Colorado lifestyle. Priorities for these homeowners included blending outdoor and indoor spaces wherever possible with generously proportioned windows and doors, porches, patios and balconies.
A gracious lime-washed brick entry punctuates a simplified white stucco and black-frame-windowed exterior with traditional
rooflines. Dramatic open spaces on the main floor comfortably accommodate the everyday activities of this busy family of four, while
providing for welcomed visits from family and friends. A functional, open kitchen is designed for serious cooking, a butler’s pantry for
staples, and serveware storage and dining spaces that effortlessly host after-school snacking to multi-course meals. A main-level,
Peak-view office comfortably supports working at home, complete with a beer cave and tasting nook for hosting fellow aficionados
after work is done. Guests will find comfort and privacy in a ma in-level guestroom suite or sleepover fun in the built-in bunks of the
expansive over-garage bonus room.
This home is a true collaboration that blends the homeowner’s long-held vision of their ideal home brought to life by the builder’s vision
and design/build process that achieves something truly…Warm and welcoming in the Forest.
The Builder
Stauffer & Sons Construction is a true Design-Build team creating some of the finest living spaces in the Pikes Peak region for over twenty years. We’ve developed an easy point-of-entry to the Design-Build process that begins with our very popular Conceptual Design and Budgeting Agreement. This affordable, low-commitment step provides answers to the early-stage questions of “what and how much?” With this critical information in place, a robust collaboration between client and builder ensues, resulting in a thoughtfully designed home that strikes a balance between size and scope and budget.
The Interior Design
Family, friends and soon-to-be friends are welcomed into this updated version of a French country farmhouse through a bricked archway and a solid arch-top entry door. Once inside, a sweeping gallery of windows adorned with flower-filled window boxes sets a nice foreground to the ponderosa pine forest. A great room with a two-story, lime-washed, brick fireplace sits juxtaposed to a cozy farm-styled kitchen with large island, plenty of storage and a Pikes Peak view. This family home features a simple, clean design with warm, wooden beams and solid, white-oak flooring. This home is designed to be lived in. Wherever you go, downstairs, upstairs or out on the porch, this home wraps around you and is a delightful place to enjoy.
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