When I came to this property not only was the landscape a scrappy mess the property also had some very real grading and drainage issues that were jeopardizing the safety of this house. As recent transplants from New Jerseys to Southern California these clients were in awe of all the plants they were seeing in their neighborhood. Living on the water at the Ventura harbor they wanted to be able to take full advantage or the outdoor lifestyle and cool ocean breeze. Being environmentally conscious citizens, these clients were very concerned that their garden was designed with sustainability as a leading factor. As they said in our initial consultation, “Would want or garden be part of the solution not part of the problem.” This property is the last house on the bottom of a gently sloping street. All the water from the neighbor’s houses drain onto this property. When I came into this project the back yard sloped into the house. When it would rain the water would pool up against the house causing water damage. To address the drainage we employed several tactics. Firstly, we had to invert the slope in the back yard so that water would not pool against the house. We created a very minor slope going away from the house so that water drains away but so the patio area feels flat. The back of the back yard had an existing retaining wall made out of shabby looking slump stone. In front of that retaining wall we created a beautiful natural stone retaining wall. This retain wall severs many purposes. One it works as a place to put some of the soil removed from the grading giving this project a smaller carbon foot print (moving soil of a site burns a lot of fossil fuel). The retaining wall also helps obscure the shabby existing retaining wall and allows for planting space above the footing from the existing retaining wall. The soil behind the ne retaining wall is slightly lower than the top of the wall so that when the run on water on from the neighbor’s property flows it is slowed down and absorbed before it has a chance to get near the house. Finally, the wall is at a height designed to serve as overflow seating as these clients intend to have occasional large parties and gatherings. Other efforts made to help keep the house safe and dry are that we used permeable paving. With the hardscape being comprised of flag stone with gravel in-between water has a chance to soak into the ground so it does not flow into spots where it will pool up. The final element to help keep the house dry is the addition of infiltration swales. Infiltration swales are depressions in the landscape that capture rain water. The down spouts on the sides of the houses are connected to pipe that goes under the ground and conveys the water to the swales. In this project it helps move rain water away from the house. In general, these Infiltration swales are a powerful element in creating sustainable landscapes. These swales capture pollutants that accumulate on the roof and in the landscape. Biology in the soil in the swales can break down these pollutants. When run of watered is not captured by soil on a property the dirty water flows into water ways and then the ocean were the biology that breaks down the pollutants is not as prolific. This is particularly important in this project as it drains directly into the harbor. The water that is absorbed in to the swales can replenish aquafers as well as increasing the water available to the plants planted in that area recusing the amount of water that is needed from irrigation. When it came to the planting we went with a California friendly tropical theme. Using lots of succulents and plants with colorful foliage we created vibrant lush landscape that will have year around color. We planted densely (the images in the picture were taken only a month after installation). Taller drought tolerant plants to help regulate the temperature and loss of water from the plants below them. The dense plantings will help keep the garden, the house and even the neighborhood cooler on hot days, will provide spaces for birds to enjoy and will create an illusion of depth in a somewhat narrow space. Today this garden is a space these homeowners can fully enjoy while having the peace of mind that their house is protected from flooding and they are helping the environment.

This challenging kitchen came our way at the same time as another similarly located Centennial kitchen. It was apparent that both houses had been built by the same builder: tight space, low ceilings, awkward arrangement, and poor building materials. Our client here is a single mother of three boys with an incredibly demanding work life. Once finally home at the end of a busy day, our client was virtually unable to use her kitchen. Cabinet doors were falling off, limited storage and workspace offered her little opportunity to cook and prep for her children, and the dark and low ceiling created an atmosphere that can only be described as depressing. Our client is also from Louisiana and has always dreamed of a kitchen that reminds her of home warmth and hospitality. Our goal was not only to expand functional storage and workspace, but bring in the southern NOLA appeal that reminds our client so much of home. To do this, we removed the wall between the formal dining room and kitchen to create an extended kitchen that runs the full length of both spaces. The back wall of what used to be the dining room is now the cooking zone for our client: we've relocated her range and microwave, and have created an island full of storage where her children can sit and socialize. We've also lifted up the low ceiling to create a tray ceiling that we have finished with ghostwood. The cabinetry is an off-white color with a hazelnut glaze that offers a more traditional, warm appearance. The island and mini work nook feature dramatic, handmade tin ceiling tiles for a dramatic texture and color. We've finished the space with functional quartz countertops and an arabesque two-toned marble backspalsh. The sinks, faucets and hardware are all in a matte black finish that offer a dramatic pop throughout the space. Little touches of Parisian flair add to this Cajun-French aesthetic and we are so thrilled with the final result!

Mallets Bay -natural depression in ledge- turned water feature! A great example of using color and texture to create a stunning composition.
Photo of a large transitional backyard stone pond in Burlington.

This basement renovation/playroom is a part of a whole house renovation we tackled starting in 2016, slowly and intentionally recreating each space in the house so it could be an updated, lovely space that FELT LIKE HOME to my clients. Do you have a basement that feels dark and foreboding? Do you long for a bright, airy, fun space to hang out in and entertain? A place for the kids to go play when it is cold and SNOWY or hotter than heck outside? While this space previously had been quite dark and a little depressing, with fresh paint, new flooring and all the right colorful furnishings and accessories, we were able to create a fun, comfortable space for entertaining and for kids to romp & play. A bright, happy place for this wonderful family to enjoy for years to come!

Featuring our Frankford Panel Doors and Collector’s Shelving, this Wine Unit showcases Bronze double doors holding clear, low-iron tempered insulated Glass and Frankford Machined Bronze Pulls. With Lateral + Frame Collector’s Shelving which allows a 150 bottle capacity, you will certainly never run dry. The Bronze Wine Room features an Oxidized Oak Sommelier Station with a Warm Brass Clad drawer face and Collector’s Style Pull, as well as a carved depression for accessories.

Conoclinium Coelestinum / Blue Mistflower Photo: Fritz Flohr Reynolds, via Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic
Photo of a landscaping in Other.

Mid-sized elegant backyard deck photo in St Louis with no cover

This 1980's home had a dark and depressing master bath. Now it s bursting with light and character!
Large transitional master beige tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile, beige floor and double-sink bathroom photo in Dallas with recessed-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, a one-piece toilet, green walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops and a built-in vanity

This 1980's home had a dark and depressing master bath. Now it s bursting with light and character!
Large transitional master beige tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile, beige floor and double-sink bathroom photo in Dallas with recessed-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, a one-piece toilet, green walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops and a built-in vanity

New white sheer drapery allows light to flood into the space. No longer dark and depressing instead this multi-functional space is bright and happy.
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional open concept light wood floor and brown floor living room remodel in New York with white walls, no fireplace and no tv

San Diego Landscape Solutions
This is an example of a modern landscaping in San Diego.

Close up of the woodland bed, note the lower spot at the fence line channels water from the neighbor's drive into a depression that retains some water in the center of this bed. Cardinal flowers are used in this area due to the damp location (they are yet too small to photograph).

The guest bathroom plays an important role on how your guests will perceive the architecture and style of your home. In this house we totally transformed the outdated bathroom. In collaboration with Roberto Lugo a daring designer from New York, the design process was focused on creating a contemporary space that could be elegant and comfortable. The initial renovation on this project started with the demolition of entire bathroom including doors, vanity, floor, plumbing and light fixture, toilet, tub, tile switches and outlet. An existing wall between toilet/shower room and vanity room was also removed. The existing door frame was expanded to 27" wide (interior) and the existing floor was inspected to determine a depression on the vanity side. The existing door frame was converted into a pocket door frame (door opens to the right). To accommodate for standard crown molding the ceiling above the shower was dropped 4". For the vanity, a furniture-like cabinet style with soft close hardware was installed. The grain stain was paired perfectly with a gray marble countertop. The shower turned out beautifully. A Shower/Bathtub combination with a sliding door was installed. Porcelain tile was installed vertically on the returns walls, glass mosaic for the long walls, glass mosaic was also used along leading edge of tub enclosure. Porcelain tile was used on the floor.

John Ha
Inspiration for an eclectic dining room remodel in New York

The guest bathroom plays an important role on how your guests will perceive the architecture and style of your home. In this house we totally transformed the outdated bathroom. In collaboration with Roberto Lugo a daring designer from New York, the design process was focused on creating a contemporary space that could be elegant and comfortable. The initial renovation on this project started with the demolition of entire bathroom including doors, vanity, floor, plumbing and light fixture, toilet, tub, tile switches and outlet. An existing wall between toilet/shower room and vanity room was also removed. The existing door frame was expanded to 27" wide (interior) and the existing floor was inspected to determine a depression on the vanity side. The existing door frame was converted into a pocket door frame (door opens to the right). To accommodate for standard crown molding the ceiling above the shower was dropped 4". For the vanity, a furniture-like cabinet style with soft close hardware was installed. The grain stain was paired perfectly with a gray marble countertop. The shower turned out beautifully. A Shower/Bathtub combination with a sliding door was installed. Porcelain tile was installed vertically on the returns walls, glass mosaic for the long walls, glass mosaic was also used along leading edge of tub enclosure. Porcelain tile was used on the floor.

This condo garden was dead and depressing space. By adding beautiful pottery, some antique wrought iron and a soft romantic planting scheme, we transformed the space in to a tranquil garden.

This 1980's home had a dark and depressing master bath. Now it s bursting with light and character!
Large transitional master beige tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile, beige floor and double-sink bathroom photo in Dallas with recessed-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, a one-piece toilet, green walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops and a built-in vanity

"I want light and airy!" That was our design challenge in changing a dark depressing kitchen to a vibrant space for entertaining and enjoying the everyday. This beautiful light and airy kitchen was achieved through the use of light materials including white cabinetry with lots of glass featuring sweeping curved mullions, a majestic curved chimney hood, stunning white quartzite and stainless steel Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances. Function was also a cornerstone of the design with spaces created for seating, storage and serving. An old desk was replaced with a coffee bar station which doubles as a drink area when having guests. Natural light was improved along with energy efficient LED lighting to set the mood, especially at night. "We just love our transformed kitchen, it makes the house a home!"

Double shower - mid-sized contemporary multicolored tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile double shower idea in Seattle with black cabinets, quartzite countertops, a two-piece toilet and yellow walls