Black siding transformed this home in Maple Grove. This project left a lasting impression, transforming a home with worn and outdated vinyl siding which had been damaged by hail and Minnesota’s harsh climate, in a lakeside retreat. The homeowners sought a fresh look that would elevate both the aesthetic and functionality of their property, making the most of the beautiful lakeside views. The first major update involved replacing the tired vinyl siding with James Hardie board and batten siding in the striking Shou Sugi Ban color. This deep, rich color brings an elegant, modern look to the home, offering both timeless appeal and exceptional durability. The board and batten style adds texture and sophistication, making the home stand out in the neighborhood. To complement the dark siding, light-colored cultured stone was added to the front and lakeside, creating a beautiful contrast and enhancing the home’s curb appeal. The cultured stone not only adds a natural, rustic feel but also integrates seamlessly with the overall design, providing a warm, inviting entrance and lakeside view. Another key element of the remodel was the transformation of the home’s windows. A bank of smaller windows was removed, replaced by a massive Marvin window that now serves as the focal point of the living room, offering unobstructed views of the serene lake. The project also included the removal of several diamond-shaped windows and a six-foot patio door, which were replaced with a sleek 16-foot patio door. This new installation opened up the space, flooding the home with natural light and creating a seamless connection between the interior and the outdoor beauty of the lake. With these updates, the home in Maple Grove is now a stunning showcase of modern design and functionality, blending sophisticated materials with breathtaking views.

For this primary bedroom redesign, the client envisioned a retreat that would provide a sense of escape and tranquility. The room was designed with a moody atmosphere, blending deep, rich colors that envelop the space in a cocoon of comfort. Color drenching was used on the walls, creating a seamless flow of hues that added depth and warmth. A stunning mural wallpaper became a focal point, its intricate design bringing an artistic, yet serene element to the room. To elevate the ambiance, a statement light fixture was carefully selected, adding a touch of luxury and drawing attention upward. Every element was thoughtfully curated to transform the space into a peaceful sanctuary, offering both beauty and relaxation in equal measure.

DRB Homes and Design: Modern Kitchen featuring Fumed Eucalyptus cabinetry. "Fuming" is the process of exposing thin wood veneers to ammonia in a large vacuum chamber. This method extracts deeper colors from the wood's tannin that a stain alone could not accomplish. We designed the rest of this kitchen remodel allowing natural light to pair with the Fumed Eucalyptus, in order to give off the vibrancy and deep, rich colors the fuming process achieves.

For this primary bedroom redesign, the client envisioned a retreat that would provide a sense of escape and tranquility. The room was designed with a moody atmosphere, blending deep, rich colors that envelop the space in a cocoon of comfort. Color drenching was used on the walls, creating a seamless flow of hues that added depth and warmth. A stunning mural wallpaper became a focal point, its intricate design bringing an artistic, yet serene element to the room. To elevate the ambiance, a statement light fixture was carefully selected, adding a touch of luxury and drawing attention upward. Every element was thoughtfully curated to transform the space into a peaceful sanctuary, offering both beauty and relaxation in equal measure.

GORGEOUS! This bathroom's got serious style. Deep rich red walls. Above the cute vanity is a medicine cabinet LED mirror with defogging. The floor is wood-like tile! Super durable. The bathtub's a whirlpool and air tub. Good looking and functional. Golden accents. The wall tile is a beautiful black, there's continuity between the walls. Attention to detail is the CSJ way.

This master bathroom features beautiful Cambria Quartz slabs on the walls, polished nickel finishes, and bright skylights that give it a grand effect. The medium stained cherry cabinetry give it a deep, rich look. Photographer: Bob Fortner

Meet Don Fuego—a bold, luxurious, and unforgettable experience. ? Bringing this vision to life was an incredible journey alongside talented vendors and artists. We began designing Don Fuego at the start of 2024, keeping four key elements at the forefront: Moody, Sophisticated, Bold, and Memorable. Inspired by Día de los Muertos, this space pays homage to those who are no longer with us physically but remain with us spiritually. Every design choice reflects this essence—deep, rich textures, dramatic lighting, and custom elements that make Don Fuego a true work of art. One of the focal points is the custom-designed checkout counter, featuring a striking porcelain slab that embodies everything Don Fuego stands for: fire, intensity, and individuality. The moment we saw it, we knew it was destined for this space. Design is all about the details, and Don Fuego is no exception. From late-night idea exchanges to meticulous material selections, every element was chosen with intention. We introduced texture through limewash, mimicking the organic feel of a grave, and Roman clay, sculpted into arches reminiscent of traditional Mexican architecture. Lighting is the jewelry of a space, and in Don Fuego, it sets the mood. We layered task, decorative, ambient, and accent lighting to create an immersive atmosphere. One of our favorite details? A light fixture inspired by the cascarón, a cracked egg symbolizing good luck and prosperity in Mexican culture. The moment we discovered it, we knew it belonged here—to bring blessings to our clients and everyone who steps inside this curated experience. Don Fuego isn’t just a space—it’s a feeling, a story, a tribute. ✨

Example of a classic u-shaped painted wood floor kitchen design in Toronto with glass-front cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, beige backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Ample space for planting and the use of colored mulch complements the deep, rich tones of the retaining wall and paving stone patio.
Patio container garden - backyard concrete paver patio container garden idea in Minneapolis

Desk in master bedroom with 3 drawers, antique brass pulls, rattan Asian style desk chair, woven natural wicker lamp, one of 2 upholstered club chairs with English arms, fabric motorized roman shades, antique carpet

The renovation of the project included a main floor renovation which included a brand-new kitchen and a sunroom addition. This renovation revised the space in the kitchen area by removing a load-bearing wall and relocating the mechanical and electrical systems inside. This freed up space and allowed for a more open design in the kitchen area. The client had several requests for this project, including large windows to allow maximum natural light. This idea was further added upon by adding sun tunnels in the roof for even more light. The sunroom also features a custom deck on the back of the house with aluminum handrails. The addition to the house was to have its own air conditioning system with custom ceiling tray detailing with crown moulding. This also served to hide the attic hatch with millwork finish. Besides, the sunroom space was designed as both a living room and extra dining space. During the pandemic, it also served as an office and home work hub for their children. What makes this project appealing is the enhanced natural light being brought into the spaces through large windows and sun tunnels. Other enhancements include a large-scale hexagonal mosaic in marble-looking material to add texture to the wall, as well as the use of accent panels to extend custom hood cabinets to the ceiling. Next, the island in the kitchen can seat 4 comfortably enhancing the usefulness of the space. The colours chosen for the kitchen include off white slab doors and deep rich wood accents and island. The hardware is brushed nickel as well as the light fixture, all to match the plumbing fixtures. Around the walls in the sunroom is custom wainscotting using millwork and casing. Special work was done on the ceiling, by concealing the beams with bulkheads and then angling them to match the existing bulkheads in the kitchen and original dining room. Besides, a custom appliance garage corner cabinet sits on the countertop which offers convenience and efficiency. The size of the island was maximized to get the most storage space out of it, including a pull-out spice rack and a space for a wine fridge. The unique transition between tile and hardwood was done out of necessity, as the sitting stools had to sit on only one medium. Plus, it is a unique way to transition from two different flooring materials! The unique challenges of this project include the wood to tile interface. This was required for the sitting stools to rest on only one medium. This design feature turned out to be an attractive solution to the design problem. This solution was also used at the patio door entrance. The plumbing in this project was challenging since it connected to an existing reverse osmosis system. There was a large beam in the kitchen ceiling which interfered with lighting placement. Additionally, picking a complimentary wood colour which would go with the existing flooring was challenging. The overall design of the addition took extra time to make the space well-used as the lot itself was an irregular shape.

For this primary bedroom redesign, the client envisioned a retreat that would provide a sense of escape and tranquility. The room was designed with a moody atmosphere, blending deep, rich colors that envelop the space in a cocoon of comfort. Color drenching was used on the walls, creating a seamless flow of hues that added depth and warmth. A stunning mural wallpaper became a focal point, its intricate design bringing an artistic, yet serene element to the room. To elevate the ambiance, a statement light fixture was carefully selected, adding a touch of luxury and drawing attention upward. Every element was thoughtfully curated to transform the space into a peaceful sanctuary, offering both beauty and relaxation in equal measure.

We really enjoyed designing this basement wine cellar in Eastern Washington. The display window provides a beautiful view of the entire wine cellar from the adjacent entertainment space. The deep, rich color of the racking is accomplished with a clear coated walnut wood species. Fine Shaker style woodwork compliments the rest of the wood detail throughout the home. A large island with lit angle displays provides plenty of space to enjoy socializing over some fine wines and appetizers. The custom Spirit Cabinet at the end of the room accommodates a drawer humidor for the occasional fine cigar. The entire room is equipped with a mechanical cooling unit to keep the room at a constant 55 degrees. Several features were added such as solid diamond bin, solid pull out case drawers, solid bottle cubicles, center drawer, and high angle displays to provide storage options for the wine collection. The focal point of the room is the beautiful arch centered on the back wall. The arch is home to hanging stemware on both sides as well as a drawer to equip all of the supplies needed in the cellar.

Ellsworth real thin stone veneer from the Quarry Mill creates an elegant front entrance on this stunning residential home. Ellsworth natural stone veneer is a beautifully neutral New England granite. The stone has deep rich tones with subtle natural weathering. Having been split with a hydraulic press this thin stone veneer has a rough texture. Ellsworth has predominantly grey tones with some gold and tan. The stone is castle rock style and characterized by the large rectangular pieces of stone. This style is also referred to as square-rectangular or square-rec for short. The individual pieces can range from 4″-12″ in height. The castle rock style is most commonly found on large scale exterior projects and is almost always installed with a mortar joint between the pieces of stone.

Neutral tones in the furniture, accents with foliage, and a coffee table in a deep, rich wood stain make this farmhouse living room complete. All furniture, accessories/accents, and appliances from Van's Home Center. Home built by Timberlin Homes.

The Sonoma Merlot cabinet collection offers a traditional appeal to your kitchen with its deep, rich red-toned finish. The Sonoma Merlot cabinets are well-crafted with solid birch. These cabinets have a variety of options and features to choose from. The Sonoma Merlot cabinets will surely enhance the value of your home!

Naomi Finlay
Example of a beach style powder room design in Toronto

Meet Don Fuego—a bold, luxurious, and unforgettable experience. ? Bringing this vision to life was an incredible journey alongside talented vendors and artists. We began designing Don Fuego at the start of 2024, keeping four key elements at the forefront: Moody, Sophisticated, Bold, and Memorable. Inspired by Día de los Muertos, this space pays homage to those who are no longer with us physically but remain with us spiritually. Every design choice reflects this essence—deep, rich textures, dramatic lighting, and custom elements that make Don Fuego a true work of art. One of the focal points is the custom-designed checkout counter, featuring a striking porcelain slab that embodies everything Don Fuego stands for: fire, intensity, and individuality. The moment we saw it, we knew it was destined for this space. Design is all about the details, and Don Fuego is no exception. From late-night idea exchanges to meticulous material selections, every element was chosen with intention. We introduced texture through limewash, mimicking the organic feel of a grave, and Roman clay, sculpted into arches reminiscent of traditional Mexican architecture. Lighting is the jewelry of a space, and in Don Fuego, it sets the mood. We layered task, decorative, ambient, and accent lighting to create an immersive atmosphere. One of our favorite details? A light fixture inspired by the cascarón, a cracked egg symbolizing good luck and prosperity in Mexican culture. The moment we discovered it, we knew it belonged here—to bring blessings to our clients and everyone who steps inside this curated experience. Don Fuego isn’t just a space—it’s a feeling, a story, a tribute. ✨

This elegant wine cellar can be seen through the double glass doors from the entertainment room in the basement. The sitting bar along the wall provides plenty of space to enjoy a bottle of wine and appetizers while sitting in the cellar. The combination of cellar features such as individual bottle bins, solid diamond bin, picture opening and display cases accommodates many different bottle sizes while featuring the special wines. The deep/rich color racking holds roughly 775 bottles and is build out of stained Walnut.