Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary drought-tolerant and full sun backyard gravel and wood fence landscaping in Santa Barbara with a fire pit for spring.

Beautiful new galley kitchen with decreased size of the fir down, Medallion Cabinetry with Carlisle style door and drawers, Cambria Brittanica countertop & backsplash, new 4" & 6" LED recess lights, tape LED under-cabinet lighting, Manningtoni Adura flooring, Delta touch pullout sprayer faucet, and Kohler apron front/farmhouse sink!

Inspired by Chinese carpets from the late 18th century, our hand-knotted Amira rug features a center medallion surrounded by lotus flowers and a border pattern taken from traditional Chinese fretwork. Equally at home in modern or classic spaces, the thick yarns and versatile colors give it a timeless appeal. The dyeing and finishing techniques used add a vintage look, subtle sheen and one-of-a-kind variations in color and texture. Please note that shedding is a natural occurrence in high-quality wool rugs, but will decrease over time. The amount of shedding will depend on the traffic pattern and use of your rug.

Super Traxx Sand Coating is a coating that can help your outdoor surfaces. It can give your driveway, sidewalk, patio, garage floor, and outdoor deck a facelift, that’s non-slip, looks great and lasts longer. This coating method provides an alternative to paying for new concrete or installation fees every couple of years. Super Traxx is an extremely low maintenance solution that will increase the lifespan of your outdoor flooring and amenities. Super Traxx will increase the life of your outdoor surfaces, because it is a durable, and more importantly, weather resistant coating. This coating will be able to handle whatever mother nature throws its way. Super Traxx will decrease the likelihood of cracks and spalling in your concrete. Our sand coating is a seamless solution that will fill fractures, expansion joints, and saw cuts in concrete. It is also chemical resistant and durable enough to withstand the application of salt or cleaning chemicals. Your outdoor flooring will stand up to heavy traffic for years to come!

Kitchen, Sliding Doors & Storage by Komandor. With any good kitchen layout, storage and flow are key. Continuing from last week’s theme…sliding doors can be a great addition to your kitchen or pantry. The main features being the increase in flow and the decrease in clutter in the kitchen. An open cabinet door protruding into your space is always cumbersome. Sliding doors can save valuable space and increase flow in high traffic areas. Not to mention that they are right on trend! Sliding doors can also be used to create a work station with a counter top and extra storage above and below. Food prep and frequently working appliances can be hidden away with the push of a door. Unexpected guests…no problem…with sliding doors a tidy kitchen is always just a slide away!

This beautiful exterior accent wall and wainscoting are made with Bonavista colorful mosaic webwall real stone veneer. Bonavista is a warm and colorful mosaic-style natural stone veneer. The irregular shapes create a spiderweb-like pattern when installed. Bonavista’s variety of colors come from the abundance of minerals within the top few feet of the quarry. The minerals are washed in by rainwater over the years and their concentrations decrease the deeper you go into the quarry. Bonavista is excavated exclusively from the top three feet of the quarry. It is a split back product and has not been sawn on the back with a diamond blade. The split or natural back will have no impact on the installation or final appearance.

Inspired by traditional hand knitting, Cable's hand-woven pattern is centuries old. The rug's natural, thick-core 100% wool yarns complement modern interiors. Please note that shedding is a natural occurrence in high-quality wool rugs, but will decrease over time. The amount of shedding will depend on the traffic pattern and use of your rug.

French Country - Modern shine brightly together. Simplifying the textures in a shower often creates more elegance. French Country projects are known to lean towards white vanities. This particular client was willing to make that artistic step; peacock blue was chosen for this Master Bathroom vanity. The color adds a very happy feel to the space. There is a confusion that white actually makes a space happier. Here is a little food for thought; white is never just white. Every "white" has an undertone and with every undertone there is a feeling that will attach it's self to that undertone. White then bounces light off of it's self continually. Therefore, if the space is all white, the light never stops moving. Color is a fantastic way to create calm, inspiration, hopeful feelings and an uplifted environment in a room. The backsplash in this bathroom is a 4x12 antiqued subway. The countertop is a porcelain, Laminam product. Laminam rarely splits at install due to the way the product is made. As long as you hire the correct porcelain countertop installer, Laminam countertops are a home run and handle abuse well. Rustic pendants were installed to create texture in the space. 18x24 porcelain tiles flow throughout the bathroom to decrease in the grout lines..

Designed by Nancy Knickerbocker of Reico Kitchen & Bath in Southern Pines, NC this transitional farmhouse inspired grey kitchen design features Merillat Classic cabinets in the Ralston door style with a Mist finish. Kitchen countertops are granite in the color Crema Kashmere and are complemented by Kohler's Simplice faucet and Farm sink. Tile played an important part in the design. The backsplash features a White Gloss 4x16 Subway tile and the flooring features a 18x18 Nation tile, both from Emser Tile. Said Nancy, "The clients wanted to update and brighten their kitchen without changing the floorplan. The painted Mist finish with the large white subway tile opened up their kitchen. The Kohler stainless farm sink helped to create the farmhouse feel they were trying to achieve. The bar area design is my favorite. The previous bar was longer and crowded the walkway. We decreased the overall size, but added glass doors and bumped out the middle cabinets for interest. Although smaller than before, it became a focal point!" Photos courtesy of Laura Fuelleman, ShowSpaces Photography LLC.

Duration® Premium Cool Shingles reflect solar energy, helping decrease the amount of heat transferred to a home’s interior – and the amount of air conditioning needed to keep it comfortable. Duration® Premium Cool Shingles are ENERGY STAR® rated and feature unique lighter colors that have corresponding Owens Corning™ Hip & Ridge Shingles. These shingles also offer our patented SureNail® Technology.

Stuart Wade, Envision Virtual Tours Envision Virtual Tours and High Resolution Photography is your best choice to find just what you are looking for in the Ellijay, Ga. area .Ellijay, Georgia, known as the “Apple Capital” of Georgia, is located between the Ellijay and Cartecay Rivers where they join to make the Coosawattee River and is the county seat of Gilmer County, Georgia. The origin of the city’s name is not certain but thought to be the English derivative of an Indian word(s) meaning “many waters”, “place of green things” or “new ground”. Some histories say it may have been named for an Indian chief. Inhabited for countless years by the Cherokee people indigenous to the North Georgia, the area was first mentioned as a village and trade center before the onslaught of white settlers inhabited the region. During the 1830’s both white settlers and Indians occupied Ellijay. During the original land lottery in 1832, Martin Scalf acquired the 160 acre lot where the town now stands. In 1833, Clemonds Quinland bought 10 acres from Scalf, retained one acre for himself and donated the rest of the purchase to the County. A plan for twenty town lots, streets and a public square was created and the streets were oriented to allow maximum sunlight exposure to the buildings. Proceeds from lot sales were used to build a jail and courthouse and pay other city expenses. During this same year, Gilmer County was appropriated $800.00 from the State to build a school, and a three-acre lot was donated for the city cemetery. On December 29, l834, Ellijay was incorporated and designated as the County seat of Gilmer County. By 1837, the town had twenty dwellings, three stores and one attorney. Most of these early buildings were of log construction. Many roads led to Ellijay by 1849. The population had grown to 150 by 1850 and the town at five stores. Some wood-frame buildings were being constructed at this time and in 1854, a new courthouse was built in the center of the square, replacing the earlier building. The County’s first newspaper was the Ellijay Courier, started in 1875, and during this time period, Ellijay was a stop on the stagecoach line. The railroad bridge over the Cartecay River was completed in 1884 and the town now had rail service. With the arrival of the railroad and subsequent tracks to White Path, Ellijay began to grow much faster. Many hotels were constructed and land was donated for a depot east of town. More industries, such as a cheese factory and the Shippen Brothers Lumber Mill, located in Ellijay. By 1898, the city had expanded its limits in every direction and now included the depot. By 1900, all the buildings on the town square were brick. This included the recently completed Hyatt Hotel. Most of the other buildings in town were still of log construction, but new wood-frame buildings were being built. The Shippen Brothers Lumber Company production was expanding and exporting their lumber to Europe. Within the next few decades, this company grew to be one of the largest employers in Ellijay, often with five to six million feet of lumber in the yard at one time. The population of Ellijay grew to 659 by 1910, and began to acquire many new modern conveniences such as electric lights and power, a telephone company and many new businesses. Then in 1912, a fire ravaged the city, destroying 23 buildings. As a result, many new buildings were constructed under new and stricter fire and safety guidelines. The population, however, decreased slightly at this time to 632 in 1920. During the 1920’s the town’s population began to grow again and, by this time, apples were being shipped out of the county and new storage facilities were built. Chickens were also shipped to markets outside of Ellijay and Gilmer County. From the mid 1930’s to 1950, Ellijay received much assistance from the Federal WPA Programs. The old courthouse was removed from the center of town square and the Hyatt Hotel was remodeled to be the new courthouse. A park was created on the site of the old courthouse and the streets around the square were paved. A new street was built at this time entering town from the northeast. Other new roads, bridges, sidewalks and gutters were constructed to improve the city. A school and gymnasium were also built and other structures improved. This growth began to impact the city’s infrastructure and in the l950’s and l960’s, a period of upgrading water systems, roads, and power supplies began. New low-rent housing appeared in l960 and a new hospital was built in l957. Georgia Highway 5 was widened in l962, new buildings around the square replaced old ones and some were remodeled. In 1974, the hospital was enlarged. Currently, Ellijay attracts tourists who love the small-town feel and friendly atmosphere. Hotels and restaurants, unique shops, antiques and art galleries lend their charms to those who visit. A new courthouse constructed to resemble the old one, new streetscaping, family-oriented downtown events and the beautification of the square have stepped up the social and economic activity and have made Ellijay a popular destination.

This backyard installation includes: New segmented concrete retaining wall, new grass lawn and new high efficiency rotary nozzle sprinkler heads that can be retrofit to existing systems to decrease water usage and waste. Prime Gardens has extensive experience custom retaining walls, sprinkler, drainage, and irrigation systems in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California.

This all-electric certified Passive House sits on a 10-acre parcel in Cachagua, a rural area of Carmel Valley, California. The 2,277-square-foot, 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath residence was built next to an observatory, the initial draw for the owners who are avid star gazers. The hues of the home’s interior are intentionally neutral, focusing attention on the dramatic natural surroundings. The great room and adjacent bedroom feature pitched ceilings accented with dark wood beam trestles, lending a sense of expansiveness and elegance. Built-in cabinetry and shelving take maximum advantage of the space. Given that it is located in a Wildland—Urban Interface zone, Trex® deck and railing materials, a metal roof and special finishes were added to the exterior to decrease flammability. This helped protect the home during a 2020 wildfire. A state-of-the-art heat recovery ventilation system (HRV) is designed to prevent infiltration of smoke to the interior. Thanks to the highly efficient HRV, and the application of advanced insulation and air sealing techniques, the energy demand for space conditioning is about 90 percent less than a traditionally built structure. The remainder of the home’s energy needs are provided by a solar array. Windows were strategically placed to capitalize on the mountain and valley views as well as naturally control heat gain from the sun. The observatory, once the sole building on the property, now includes a two car garage and a cozy room for relaxing until the stars make their appearance. While the home was under construction and interior walls still uncovered, it was used to demonstrate Passive House techniques and technologies and related benefits. Click here for a virtual tour.

Decreased the height and width of the fir down above the kitchen wall cabinets which allowed us to install 42" wall cabinets and made the kitchen appear larger. Installed New Medallion Cabinets, Carlisle door and drawer style. new appliances, new Mannington Adura LVT flooring, new 4" LED recess lights around the perimeter of the kitchen with 6" LED recess lights in the center of the kitchen. New tape LED under-cabinet lighting!

The stainless steel farmhouse sink with a curved front is a new take on a classic design.
Inspiration for a transitional kitchen remodel in DC Metro

This was a really fun kitchen remodel we did in Fort Collins, CO. We brought in more natural light by exposing the beam and decreasing the divider wall to the living room. All new cabinetry, appliances, and a huge island with seating on two sides. The farmhouse sink was moved to the island, and we tiled the backsplash to the ceiling to make the space feel larger. We framed the counter-depth fridge in pantry storage cabinets and wrapped it in a custom shaker crown. Finally, we finished the flooring with a beautiful Acacia hardwood, and replaced the outdated patio slider with french doors.

This 2017 Project begins with a wonderful Palo Alto family of four wanted to get more use of their backyard. Their existing backyard had served its purpose for many years when their children were young. Now their children in college, it was underused and in desperate need of an update. Having lived in their home for 19 years, my clients communicated clearly with goals to take advantage of the reason they moved to Palo Alto in the first place. Both desire spending more time for themselves enjoying our year round climate in Northern California. By initially addressing the specific request to decrease the water usage and the accompanying utility bills, objective for addition of a fire pit to the existing spa destination; both sharing their spaces for also a new destination of the turf for the husband, and avid golfer. John had always wanted to practice in his own backyard. Viola! The perfect place to entertain, dine, relax and play! NO RESERVATIONS REQUIRED! A very comfortable, attractive and inviting new outdoor living room has been created! Welcome Home!

This all-electric certified Passive House sits on a 10-acre parcel in Cachagua, a rural area of Carmel Valley, California. The 2,277-square-foot, 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath residence was built next to an observatory, the initial draw for the owners who are avid star gazers. The hues of the home’s interior are intentionally neutral, focusing attention on the dramatic natural surroundings. The great room and adjacent bedroom feature pitched ceilings accented with dark wood beam trestles, lending a sense of expansiveness and elegance. Built-in cabinetry and shelving take maximum advantage of the space. Given that it is located in a Wildland—Urban Interface zone, Trex® deck and railing materials, a metal roof and special finishes were added to the exterior to decrease flammability. This helped protect the home during a 2020 wildfire. A state-of-the-art heat recovery ventilation system (HRV) is designed to prevent infiltration of smoke to the interior. Thanks to the highly efficient HRV, and the application of advanced insulation and air sealing techniques, the energy demand for space conditioning is about 90 percent less than a traditionally built structure. The remainder of the home’s energy needs are provided by a solar array. Windows were strategically placed to capitalize on the mountain and valley views as well as naturally control heat gain from the sun. The observatory, once the sole building on the property, now includes a two car garage and a cozy room for relaxing until the stars make their appearance. While the home was under construction and interior walls still uncovered, it was used to demonstrate Passive House techniques and technologies and related benefits.

Flagstone steppers as the main path in decomposed granite are supplemented with paths for secondary use in decomposed granite. Keeping the main path with flagstone decreases any grit getting into the house while the secondary paths in just DG keep the budget down.