Originally surrounded by chain-link fence, with a side walk dangerously not up to code and a tall improperly built retaining wall leaning into the pool deck, this landscape was in dire need of help. We started by tearing out the fence, ripping out the old sidewalk and disassembling the retaining walls surrounding the pool. We then rebuilt the walls in terraces to break up the height surrounding the pool and add planting space. We installed safe natural stone steps with a concrete paver walkway leading to the front and back of the property. Next we added boulders throughout the landscape which both helped retain, add beauty and break up the walls. We then added all the plantings and put L-stone gravel throughout a large portion of the landscape. The flora softened the look of the design, while the stone made maintenance needs lower. We finished the project by installing a fire-pit space and wrapping the poles holding the deck with custom block and caps. All put together there is an impressive display of boulders, year round color and functionality to this beautiful space.

The goal of this renovation was to replace four external staircases of a 50 year old apartment building next to Cheltenham Beach in Devonport, Auckland. We went to have a look at the stairs and soon realised they were on the verge of collapsing due to advanced corrosion in both the steel stringers and the concrete tread reinforcements. As the stairs were the only access for some of the apartments, we decided to do the work in stages to lessen the impact for the residents. Initially, we removed the balustrade and erected temporary barriers, as well as provided temporary treads to replace the most dangerous and broken ones. We were asked to make the new stairs as close to the original ones as possible. In order to achieve this, we chose to renovate the existing balustrade, and took samples of the broken treads to a concrete paving specialist for the closest match. The frame of the stairs, all the concrete treads, and the landings needed to be replaced entirely, so we fabricated four new stairs in more robust material. We also made sure there were no areas for water to pool, which future proofed them for the next 50 years. Finally, when it came to the installation, we removed the old stairs and installed each new staircase with the refurbished balustrade in a single day to ensure the residents could access their homes when they got home from work.

Art Gray, Art Gray Photography
Example of a large trendy galley medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen design in Los Angeles with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, paneled appliances, quartz countertops and an island

Before we came in, the foyer had no wow factor and didn’t say much about the home. So to fix that, we started by adding a hefty white oak pivot door with large sidelights to let in lots of light. This custom door is a deep, dark chocolate brown stain that complements the custom distressed and stained oak hardwood flooring we installed. In sum, the whole front door unit, including the glass sidelights, is 10 feet long! Typically, I prefer to install the same flooring throughout a house for continuity. But here, our clients wanted to pack a punch with a statement tile. Plus, being on a lake, they have lots of messy foot traffic passing through, so they wanted a more durable material. They chose to splurge on this tile, a thassos marble with stainless steel grout inlays, but I think it was worth it. As per the Scandi style, the husband really pushed for a floating staircase, so we designed a 3-floor floating tread staircase connecting the main floor, upstairs, and basement. Truthfully, this was an intense, dangerous install, but we got it done for our clients!

The goal of this renovation was to replace four external staircases of a 50 year old apartment building next to Cheltenham Beach in Devonport, Auckland. We went to have a look at the stairs and soon realised they were on the verge of collapsing due to advanced corrosion in both the steel stringers and the concrete tread reinforcements. As the stairs were the only access for some of the apartments, we decided to do the work in stages to lessen the impact for the residents. Initially, we removed the balustrade and erected temporary barriers, as well as provided temporary treads to replace the most dangerous and broken ones. We were asked to make the new stairs as close to the original ones as possible. In order to achieve this, we chose to renovate the existing balustrade, and took samples of the broken treads to a concrete paving specialist for the closest match. The frame of the stairs, all the concrete treads, and the landings needed to be replaced entirely, so we fabricated four new stairs in more robust material. We also made sure there were no areas for water to pool, which future proofed them for the next 50 years. Finally, when it came to the installation, we removed the old stairs and installed each new staircase with the refurbished balustrade in a single day to ensure the residents could access their homes when they got home from work.

This kitchen was renovated to an open floor plan. The glass floor is 40"x40".
Kitchen - transitional kitchen idea in Miami

Are your TVs, computers, and other devices currently connected to a power strip? If so, then you probably already know the benefits of surge protection equipment, and how they can prevent permanent damage to your personal electronics. At IRV Plumbing & Electric, we take it one step further by installing a surge protector on your entire area home. This way, every device you plug in will be automatically protected from dangerous power surges. Learn more about Charlotte home surge protection and find out whether or not it’s right for your home. Whole House Surge Protection Those power strips many people use to protect their televisions, phones, stereos, and more, are not always as effective as you might think. Many power strips simply provide additional electrical outlets, but won’t actually make a difference if your home is struck by lightning, or if there is a power surge during a storm. With whole house surge protection, we can install a surge protection system that protects your entire home from power surges. Any appliance you plug in, from a hair dryer to your washing machine, will be protected without you needing to do anything extra. Protect your valuable electronics with a Charlotte whole house surge protection system.

©Brett Bulthuis 2018
Example of a large trendy galley light wood floor kitchen design in Chicago with a double-bowl sink, white cabinets, solid surface countertops, stainless steel appliances and an island

•Photo by Argonaut Architectural•
Living room - large contemporary formal and open concept marble floor and white floor living room idea in Miami with gray walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a concealed tv

Before we came in, the foyer had no wow factor and didn’t say much about the home. So to fix that, we started by adding a hefty white oak pivot door with large sidelights to let in lots of light. This custom door is a deep, dark chocolate brown stain that complements the custom distressed and stained oak hardwood flooring we installed. In sum, the whole front door unit, including the glass sidelights, is 10 feet long! Typically, I prefer to install the same flooring throughout a house for continuity. But here, our clients wanted to pack a punch with a statement tile. Plus, being on a lake, they have lots of messy foot traffic passing through, so they wanted a more durable material. They chose to splurge on this tile, a thassos marble with stainless steel grout inlays, but I think it was worth it. As per the Scandi style, the husband really pushed for a floating staircase, so we designed a 3-floor floating tread staircase connecting the main floor, upstairs, and basement. Truthfully, this was an intense, dangerous install, but we got it done for our clients!

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Lakefront property in the northwest suburbs of Chicago is hard to come by, so when we were hired by this young family with exactly that, we were immediately inspired by not just the unusually large footprint of this 1950’s colonial revival but also the lovely views of the manmade lake it was sited on. The large 5-bedroom home was solidly stuck in the 1980’s, but we saw tons of potential. We started out by updating the existing staircase with a fresh coat of paint and adding new herringbone slate to the entry hall. The powder room off the entryway also got a refresh - new flooring, new cabinets and fixtures. We ran the new slate right through into this space for some consistency. A fun wallpaper and shiplap trim add a welcoming feel and set the tone for the home. Next, we tackled the kitchen. Located away from the rest of the first floor, the kitchen felt a little isolated, so we immediately began planning for how to better connect it to the rest of the first floor. We landed on removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room and designed a modified galley style space with separate cooking and clean up zones. The cooking zone consists of the refrigerator, prep sink and cooktop, along with a nice long run of prep space at the island. The cleanup side of the kitchen consists of the main sink and dishwasher. Both areas are situated so that the user can view the lake during prep work and cleanup! One of the home’s main puzzles was how to incorporate the mudroom and area in front of the patio doors at the back of the house. We already had a breakfast table area, so the space by the patio doors was a bit of a no man’s land. We decided to separate the kitchen proper from what became the new mudroom with a large set of barn doors. That way you can quickly hide any mudroom messes but have easy access to the light coming in through the patio doors as well as the outdoor grilling station. We also love the impact the barn doors add to the overall space. The homeowners’ first words to us were “it’s time to ditch the brown,” so we did! We chose a lovely blue pallet that reflects the home’s location on the lake which is also vibrant yet easy on the eye. Countertops are white quartz, and the natural oak floor works well with the other honey accents. The breakfast table was given a refresh with new chairs, chandelier and window treatments that frame the gorgeous views of the lake out the back. We coordinated the slate mudroom flooring with that used in the home’s main entrance for a consistent feel. The storage area consists of open and closed storage to allow for some clutter control as needed. Next on our “to do” list was revamping the dated brown bar area in the neighboring dining room. We eliminated the clutter by adding some closed cabinets and did some easy updates to help the space feel more current. One snag we ran into here was the discovery of a beam above the existing open shelving that had to be modified with a smaller structural beam to allow for our new design to work. This was an unexpected surprise, but in the end we think it was well worth it! We kept the colors here a bit more muted to blend with the homeowner’s existing furnishings. Open shelving and polished nickel hardware add some simple detail to the new entertainment zone which also looks out onto the lake! Next we tackled the upstairs starting with the homeowner’s son’s bath. The bath originally had both a tub shower and a separate shower, so we decided to swap out the shower for a new laundry area. This freed up some space downstairs in what used to be the mudroom/laundry room and is much more convenient for daily laundry needs. We continued the blue palette here with navy cabinetry and the navy tile in the shower. Porcelain floor tile and chrome fixtures keep maintenance to a minimum while matte black mirrors and lighting add some depth the design. A low maintenance runner adds some warmth underfoot and ties the whole space together. We added a pocket door to the bathroom to minimize interference with the door swings. The left door of the laundry closet is on a 180 degree hinge to allow for easy full access to the machines. Next we tackled the master bath which is an en suite arrangement. The original was typical of the 1980’s with the vanity outside of the bathroom, situated near the master closet. And the brown theme continued here with multiple shades of brown. Our first move was to segment off the bath and the closet from the master bedroom. We created a short hall from the bedroom to the bathroom with his and hers walk-in closets on the left and right as well as a separate toilet closet outside of the main bathroom for privacy and flexibility. The original bathroom had a giant soaking tub with steps (dangerous!) as well as a small shower that did not work well for our homeowner who is 6’3”. With other bathtubs in the home, they decided to eliminate the tub and create an oversized shower which takes up the space where the old tub was located. The double vanity is on the opposite wall and a bench is located under the window for morning conversations and a place to set a couple of towels. The pallet in here is light and airy with a mix of blond wood, creamy porcelain and marble tile, and brass accents. A simple roman shade adds some texture and it’s top-down mechanism allows for light and privacy. This large whole house remodel gave our homeowners not only the ability to maximize the potential of their home but also created a lovely new frame from which to view their fabulous lake views. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

THEME Inspired by the Magic Tree House series of children’s books, this indoor tree house provides entertainment, fun and a place for children to read about or imagine adventures through time. A blue sky, green meadows, and distant matching beech trees recreate the magic of Jack and Annie’s Frog Creek, and help bring the characters from the series to life. FOCUS A floor armoire, ceiling swing and climbing rope give the structure a true tree house look and feel. A drop-down drawing and writing table, wheeled work table and recessed ceiling lights ensure the room can be used for more than play. The tree house has electric interior lighting, a window to the outdoors and a playful sliding shutter over a window to the room. The armoire forms a raised, nine-foot-wide play area, while a TV within one of the wall’s floor-to-ceiling cabinets — with a delightful sliding ladder — transforms the room into a family theater perfect for watching movies and holding Wii competitions. STORAGE The bottom of the drawing table is a magnetic chalk board that doubles as a display for children’s art works. The tree’s small niches are for parents’ shoes; the larger compartment stores children’s shoes and school bags. Books, games, toys, DVDs, Wii and other computer accessories are stored in the wall cabinets. The armoire contains two spacious drawers and four nifty hinged storage bins. A rack of handy “vegetable buckets” above the armoire stores crayons, scissors and other useful items. GROWTH The room easily adapts from playroom, to party room, to study room and even to bedroom, as the tree house easily accommodates a twin-size mattress. SAFETY The rungs and rails of the ladder, as well as the grab bars beside the tree house door are wrapped with easy-grip rope for safe climbing. The drawing table has spring-loaded hinges to help prevent it from dropping dangerously from the wall, and the table door has double sets of locks up top to ensure safety. The interior of each storage compartment is carpeted like the tree house floor to provide extra padding.

This beautiful property is located in the hills above of Montecito with 360 degree of views onto the Channel Islands and the surrounding mountains. Inspired by the Japanese landscape design principal of the borrowed landscape the gardens on this property serves as a kind of picture frame from which to view the natural beauty of its surroundings. This 15-year-old costume-built home was crafted with all the style and workmanship ship found in Villa or Château in the Mediterranean. Unfortunately, the garden design was not as well thought out as the house was. Most of this property receives baking sun, drying winds and is in an extremely high fire danger area. Do to these factors many of the plants on the property were unsuitable for their location. The original planting scheme was also lifeless and colorless. Poor landscape maintenance had left many of the plants on the property sick and dying. We came in to revive this landscape, breathing new life into it. Creating a drought tolerant and fire wise landscape was of utmost importance to these clients. Staying true to the more formal landscape styles found in Southern Europe we also want to create an opportunity to design seamlessly blend with its natural surroundings. We did that by incorporating a lot of California native plants. This vast property also contains an avocado orchard and a vineyard. By adding California native plants the property is inviting in native birds and insects that help keep pollinate the orchard and vineyard and keep pest problems at bay. Because these clients enjoy harvesting from their land we added elements of edible landscaping to this project. We filled pottery and planter beds with fruit trees, culinary and medicinal herbs as well as flowers that can be used in cut flower arrangements. Lastly, we went through carefully pruning diseased plants, treating pest problems an improving the soil. Now the landscape is not only more beautiful it is more protected against fire, is more water wise and integrate into its surrounds with a wholistic approach.

The goal of this renovation was to replace four external staircases of a 50 year old apartment building next to Cheltenham Beach in Devonport, Auckland. We went to have a look at the stairs and soon realised they were on the verge of collapsing due to advanced corrosion in both the steel stringers and the concrete tread reinforcements. As the stairs were the only access for some of the apartments, we decided to do the work in stages to lessen the impact for the residents. Initially, we removed the balustrade and erected temporary barriers, as well as provided temporary treads to replace the most dangerous and broken ones. We were asked to make the new stairs as close to the original ones as possible. In order to achieve this, we chose to renovate the existing balustrade, and took samples of the broken treads to a concrete paving specialist for the closest match. The frame of the stairs, all the concrete treads, and the landings needed to be replaced entirely, so we fabricated four new stairs in more robust material. We also made sure there were no areas for water to pool, which future proofed them for the next 50 years. Finally, when it came to the installation, we removed the old stairs and installed each new staircase with the refurbished balustrade in a single day to ensure the residents could access their homes when they got home from work.

Master Bedroom with incorporated office Design and Photo: Clever Home Design LLC Contractor: Slachta Home Improvement - www.slachtahomeimprovement.com Artist (Painting): I. Pustovalov - http://www.nationalartsprogram.org/gallery?field_venue_node_nid=All&field_last_name_value=pustovalov

kelli kaufer
Example of a mid-sized minimalist gray tile and glass sheet ceramic tile freestanding bathtub design in Minneapolis with an integrated sink, a two-piece toilet and gray walls

Ryann Ford
Inspiration for a small transitional multicolored tile and cement tile bathroom remodel in Austin with blue cabinets and marble countertops

Dale Hall Photography Cushman Construction LLC
Example of a trendy living room design in Milwaukee