Photo of a contemporary backyard landscaping in San Francisco.

The purpose of the project was the make the 1970s Harvest Gold (that just wouldn't quit) feel like it was part of the space rather than an eyesore. This was achieved by using only paint. The budget for this project was very small--$1000 ($700 of which was earmarked for the flooring). The question was posed "how can we make this kitchen look better with only using paint?"

Photo: Claire Esparros for Homepolish
Home yoga studio - home yoga studio idea in New York

As featured in Design NJ, this home stands proudly in Normandy Beach after Hurricane Sandy destroyed the treasured family beach house that once was in its place. Looking to the future, this family created a comfortable, inviting vacation home featuring soft and bold colors, custom built-ins and finishes, and a relaxing outdoor living environment.

Benefits of Plantation Shutters Plantation shutters offer advantages and benefits to homeowners over other window coverings including: • A permanent addition to a house: While they don't add much to the sale price and don't guarantee a return on investment, the curb appeal helps the house sell faster. The permanency of plantation shutters allows them to be included in appraisals. • Versatility: Many have the ability to open only halfway if desired. If you want to let in all the light, plantation shutters swing away from the window to grant an unobstructed view. • Insulation: When all louvers are closed, a good insulating barrier is created, trapping unwanted temperatures and saving you money on your energy bill. • Easy maintenance: With wide louvers, a simple wipe-down is often all that's needed. Vinyl shutters can be taken off their hinges and sprayed off for a major cleaning. • Elegance: The classic, yet modern look conveys a permanency like no other window dressing can. Whether painted or natural wood, they all have a look that says; welcome home. Wood vs. Faux Wood It's not hard to argue that natural wood is more appealing than vinyl or PVC. However, "faux wood," as it's sometimes called, has some advantages: • Price -- Faux wood shutters are often lower in price than real wood. • Weight -- Because some shutters are made "hollow core" (as opposed to vinyl-wrapped medium density fiberboard, MDF), they can be significantly lighter. • Moisture Resistance -- If you live in an area with high humidity, hollow faux wood or aluminum core will resist expanding and sagging. (MDF core louvers will tend to expand and crack as the material swells with moisture.) Natural wood is the choice for those who have a very healthy budget or for whom a specific appearance is a must. Among the advantages are: • Size -- Because wood plantation shutters are made of hardwood, they can be quite a bit larger than plastic or vinyl. Vinyl shutters larger than 29 inches may be prone to sag, so they need divider rails or other supports which can destroy the traditional look of a plantation shutter. • Natural -- While vinyl or plastic shutters can be painted to match any color scheme, the natural shades and finishes of the various species of wood have something for every look. • Classic -- While many plastic shutters can be made to look like real wood, the faux wood finishes can vary significantly depending on manufacturer and model. Up close, it can be easy to tell they're plastic. The warmth of natural wood is a classic feel that's impossible to beat. Popular Plantation Shutter Brands When you go to purchase your plantation shutters, brands names may offer a good representation of high-, mid-, and low-cost range of what's available. Which one you choose depends on your budget and your tastes. Hunter-Douglas and Norman Shutters produce three lines of plantation shutters in both real wood and faux wood styles. A higher-end product, Hunter-Douglas may be worth the cost for beauty and quality of workmanship. The Window Outfitters and Sunland produce a mid-cost line of shutters. The mid-range pricing may be for those who are balancing aesthetics with a budget. National franchise and or box stores may not offer an in-house expert or designer. Look to local companies that specialize in plantation shutters looking online may offer a low-cost brand for budget-minded DIYers. Available in both faux and real wood, the affordability combines with the visual appeal to make this a very popular choice for plantation shutters. Regardless of which line you go with, be sure to ask about frames. Generally all manufactures offer frame choices and may add to the cost, but they add an unsurpassed beauty and warmth to a room with plantation shutters. Plantation shutters look like similar to wooden blinds, but there are significant differences. Blinds are often narrow, made of aluminum or vinyl, and the slats tilt based on a gear and pulley mechanism and they hang in the window with cords. By contrast, plantation shutters have wide compound louvers that fit into a frame and are controlled by way of a wooden rod running up the middle. When not needed, they can be manufactured to swing back onto the wall. Options to are available to build a more contemporary look with a larger view with a “hidden tilt” feature. Cost of Plantation Shutters Nationally, the cost of plantation shutters, depending on their size and the material, whether or not they are custom arches and colors or stains, may vary. Most manufacturers want their shutters to be professionally installed to keep the warranty intact which is a benefit to the customer in the long run. They will usually have a limited lifetime warranty. Cost of Installation Costs for having plantation shutters installed by a contractor are a bit more predictable. Contractors who have installed plantation shutters before can quickly get accurate measurements and suggest which materials would work best in different rooms. For example, while natural wood may look beautiful in your living room, it might not be so practical in a bathroom where moisture will cause the wood to warp. The size, material, and quality of the shutter will have a significant effect on the cost. Contractors usually go through a shutter supplier and can get various sizes that are not normally available at home improvement stores. Hiring a professional team of knowledgeable suppliers and installers is a good choice. Here are some sample prices of the shutters most contractors use for standard-sized windows: In general, plantation shutters should cost approximately $20 to $26 per square foot. Labor costs depend on factors such as the contractor's workload, remoteness of the location, environment, and the contractor's overhead. Labor generally runs about $100 per hour and will be added to the shutter cost. • 16x20 -- Faux wood $120. Real wood $156 • 24x50 -- Faux wood $160. Real wood $208 • 36x54 -- Faux wood $270. Real wood $351 • 36x60 -- Faux wood $300 Real wood $390 • 42x72 -- Faux wood $420. Real wood $546 • 48x82 -- Faux wood $550. Real wood $715 DIY Plantation shutters can be purchased and installed by the homeowners. How much they cost will depend on size and material. Faux wood shutter’s cost depends on size and wooden shutter’s cost will depend on size and whether or not they are painted or stained. • Natural wood is $90-$600 depending on size. Many companies offer standard stained selection but custom color matching may be available from $175 -$250. • Faux wood will be from $120-$500. • Additional tools include: Hang Strips $4-$15 and about $4 for mounting hardware. Locks or closures can cost up to $15 for each shutter. Finally, if you order them online, you can expect to pay $30-$70 shipping per shutter or per set of shutters per window depending on the supplier. Keep in mind that even if you're handy with tools, installing shutters can be time-consuming if you've never done it before there is defiantly a learning curve.

Compost is a natural, long-lasting way to feed your soil, and a wonderfully sustainable way to dispose of kitchen and garden waste. These spacious bins are big enough to fit plenty of vegetable scraps as well as lawn clippings and leaves. Systems are made entirely of rot-resistant cedar and enclosed on all sides with sturdy wire mesh that allows air to flow to and through the compost. Removable front panels and hinged lids make for easy access. Systems are available in triple, double, and single bin configurations. Comes with the classic book about composting Let it Rot!: The Gardener's Guide to Composting by Stu Campbell.

Orange County, CA - Garage conversions are gaining popularity in heavily populated areas such as Los Angeles, Orange County, San Francisco and many other urban regions throughout the state of California. Many homeowners are converting their garages into actual liveable square footage. Some of the garage conversions we've seen include but are not limited to Home Offices, Playrooms, Man Caves, Entertainment Rooms, Guest Suites and/or Multipurpose Quarters. For this particular project located in Studio City, CA we were generously commissioned by our client to replace the existing roll-up garage door to actual swing-open carriage style doors featuring safari style windows for added ventilation while the children play inside the safe environment and protection of the newly converted garage. What a fantastic way to keep your kids within your supervision without them destroying your fine furniture or disturbing your peace! The garage door conversion for this home consisted of removing the existing roll-up garage door with all the track, springs and weather seal to start with a fresh, clean opening ready to receive the newly handcrafted carriage doors. Designing the carriage doors and keeping the home's original architectural essence was of utmost importance to us and the client. We also suggested awning style or safari style windows for ventilation as the garage was converted to a playroom and needed some air flow while being used. Additionally, the windows were designed to be larger than the standard carriage door size to allow more light inside the room during the day. At night, the lights inside shine through the traditional style window mullions with a warm glow that fills the exterior of the home. Preserving the traditional craftsmanship of authentically built carriage doors is always a priority when custom crafting and designing real carriage doors. Dynamic Garage Door is a true design consultation firm who also happens to manufacture world-class carriage doors and professionally installs them throughout the state of California while shipping outside of the state. Get a real carriage door conversion project price at: (855) 343-DOOR

This is an example of a farmhouse landscaping in Denver.

Nestled into sloping topography, the design of this home allows privacy from the street while providing unique vistas throughout the house and to the surrounding hill country and downtown skyline. Layering rooms with each other as well as circulation galleries, insures seclusion while allowing stunning downtown views. The owners' goals of creating a home with a contemporary flow and finish while providing a warm setting for daily life was accomplished through mixing warm natural finishes such as stained wood with gray tones in concrete and local limestone. The home's program also hinged around using both passive and active green features. Sustainable elements include geothermal heating/cooling, rainwater harvesting, spray foam insulation, high efficiency glazing, recessing lower spaces into the hillside on the west side, and roof/overhang design to provide passive solar coverage of walls and windows. The resulting design is a sustainably balanced, visually pleasing home which reflects the lifestyle and needs of the clients. Photography by Andrew Pogue

Full house remodel/addition. Custom fireplace with carved corbels and rolled plaster. Photos by Erika Bierman www.erikabiermanphotography.com
Living room - mediterranean dark wood floor living room idea in Los Angeles with a standard fireplace

The design of this 5,000 square foot house was born of a tragic fire that destroyed the bulk of the house. Only the side flanking wings were able to be saved. The main body of the house was and garage were all reconsidered in their design. The result is a hybrid log/conventional construction assembly that looks nothing like the kit house that once stood between the two ends. The new work maintains the owner’s desire for a rustic aesthetic and utilizes massing, scale and rhythm more appropriate to the environment, the owner’s intended uses and character. A rich blend of stone, log, and cedar shingles make for a design palette that is both rustic and refined at the same moment. The house employs both geothermal and solar applications. The geothermal assembly is located in an adjacent field and together with the solar panel system offer little or no electrical load needed from the Grid to either heat or light the building. The owner enjoys a consistent selling of electricity to the PUD proving that large well detailed wood buildings can successfully deliver on thermal performance and timeless aesthetic character. Designed by BC&J Architecture photos: Martin Bydalek Photography

As featured in Design NJ, this home stands proudly in Normandy Beach after Hurricane Sandy destroyed the treasured family beach house that once was in its place. Looking to the future, this family created a comfortable, inviting vacation home featuring soft and bold colors, custom built-ins and finishes, and a relaxing outdoor living environment.

This Maine hilltop residence has amazing sprawling views of Sunday River mountain ski resort. The entire home consists of recycled and sustainable materials. The Boston Blend Round veneer was the perfect natural stone choice. It is cut from reclaimed stones that were gathered from farms and fields throughout New England. It adds a rustic touch with colors that blend perfectly with the surrounding environment. Skip planed snow fence boards were used as siding and will weather naturally with the changing seasons. The roof is made of recycled standing seam steel. Accents of Corten metal with a rusting finish were used throughout the project. Every room in the home has an amazing view of the mountain. Natural elements such as local trees were brought inside to give the sense of living outdoors in an indoor space. Although the home was built with nature in mind, it's not without its modern touches. This smart house boasts a state of the art indoor/outdoor sound system and natural cooling and heating systems. It has a full concrete floor at the basement level as well as radiant heat on the first floor. In the winter, the passive heat gain is recycled to cooler parts of the home. The outdoor walkways are heated using solar panels to circulate energy for ice melt. This home has an amazing Western Colorado Rockies meets "Northern Maine mining camp" motif. It has the perfect blend of historic, modern, and natural elements. For more information on the Boston Blend Round including other project photos, visit our searchable gallery and product page. Visit www.stoneyard.com/956 for more photos and video.

The design of this 5,000 square foot house was born of a tragic fire that destroyed the bulk of the house. Only the side flanking wings were able to be saved. The main body of the house was and garage were all reconsidered in their design. The result is a hybrid log/conventional construction assembly that looks nothing like the kit house that once stood between the two ends. The new work maintains the owner’s desire for a rustic aesthetic and utilizes massing, scale and rhythm more appropriate to the environment, the owner’s intended uses and character. A rich blend of stone, log, and cedar shingles make for a design palette that is both rustic and refined at the same moment. The house employs both geothermal and solar applications. The geothermal assembly is located in an adjacent field and together with the solar panel system offer little or no electrical load needed from the Grid to either heat or light the building. The owner enjoys a consistent selling of electricity to the PUD proving that large well detailed wood buildings can successfully deliver on thermal performance and timeless aesthetic character. Designed by BC&J Architecture.

J. Paul Moore Photography
Design ideas for a traditional landscaping in Nashville for fall.

The design of this 5,000 square foot house was born of a tragic fire that destroyed the bulk of the house. Only the side flanking wings were able to be saved. The main body of the house was and garage were all reconsidered in their design. The result is a hybrid log/conventional construction assembly that looks nothing like the kit house that once stood between the two ends. The new work maintains the owner’s desire for a rustic aesthetic and utilizes massing, scale and rhythm more appropriate to the environment, the owner’s intended uses and character. A rich blend of stone, log, and cedar shingles make for a design palette that is both rustic and refined at the same moment. The house employs both geothermal and solar applications. The geothermal assembly is located in an adjacent field and together with the solar panel system offer little or no electrical load needed from the Grid to either heat or light the building. The owner enjoys a consistent selling of electricity to the PUD proving that large well detailed wood buildings can successfully deliver on thermal performance and timeless aesthetic character. Designed by BC&J Architecture photos: Martin Bydalek Photography

Example of a transitional home design design in Dallas

As featured in Design NJ, this home stands proudly in Normandy Beach after Hurricane Sandy destroyed the treasured family beach house that once was in its place. Looking to the future, this family created a comfortable, inviting vacation home featuring soft and bold colors, custom built-ins and finishes, and a relaxing outdoor living environment.

As featured in Design NJ, this home stands proudly in Normandy Beach after Hurricane Sandy destroyed the treasured family beach house that once was in its place. Looking to the future, this family created a comfortable, inviting vacation home featuring soft and bold colors, custom built-ins and finishes, and a relaxing outdoor living environment.