A pond and stream are hidden along these steps. Backyard steps utilize large flagstone pieces. Irish moss, blue star creeper, scotch moss, and mini mondo grass are a few of the plants growing between the stones. This yard has over 60 Japanese Maples and lots of ferns, ligularias, hydrangeas, and other shade plants Erik Jones

Stepping Stones over bio-filtration area
Pool fountain - large transitional backyard rectangular and stone natural pool fountain idea in New York

TKM evened out the width and height of these steps and created the landing, (see before photo in "MAKEOVER Stone Patio & Walls, Outdoor Fireplace & Brick Entry" Project) upgrading the safety and curb appeal of our grateful client's home.

Photographer: Bill Timmerman Builder: Jillian Builders
Entryway - modern concrete floor and gray floor entryway idea in Edmonton with beige walls and a gray front door

This front yard landscaping project consist of multiple of our modern collections! Modern grey retaining wall: The smooth look of the Raffinato collection brings modern elegance to your tailored spaces. This contemporary double-sided retaining wall is offered in an array of modern colours. Discover the Raffinato retaining wall: https://www.techo-bloc.com/shop/walls/raffinato-smooth/ Modern grey stone steps: The sleek, polished look of the Raffinato stone step is a more elegant and refined alternative to modern and very linear concrete steps. Offered in three modern colors, these stone steps are a welcomed addition to your next outdoor step project! Discover our Raffinato stone steps here: https://www.techo-bloc.com/shop/steps/raffinato-step/ Modern grey floor pavers: A modern paver available in over 50 scale and color combinations, Industria is a popular choice amongst architects designing urban spaces. This paver's de-icing salt resistance and 100mm height makes it a reliable option for industrial, commercial and institutional applications. Discover the Industria paver here: https://www.techo-bloc.com/shop/pavers/industria-smooth-paver/

This step-down family room features a coffered ceiling and a fireplace with a black slate hearth. We made the fireplace’s surround and mantle to match the raised paneled doors on the built-in storage cabinets on the right. For a unified look and to create a subtle focal point, we added moulding to the rest of the wall and above the fireplace. Sleek and contemporary, this beautiful home is located in Villanova, PA. Blue, white and gold are the palette of this transitional design. With custom touches and an emphasis on flow and an open floor plan, the renovation included the kitchen, family room, butler’s pantry, mudroom, two powder rooms and floors. Rudloff Custom Builders has won Best of Houzz for Customer Service in 2014, 2015 2016, 2017 and 2019. We also were voted Best of Design in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 which only 2% of professionals receive. Rudloff Custom Builders has been featured on Houzz in their Kitchen of the Week, What to Know About Using Reclaimed Wood in the Kitchen as well as included in their Bathroom WorkBook article. We are a full service, certified remodeling company that covers all of the Philadelphia suburban area. This business, like most others, developed from a friendship of young entrepreneurs who wanted to make a difference in their clients’ lives, one household at a time. This relationship between partners is much more than a friendship. Edward and Stephen Rudloff are brothers who have renovated and built custom homes together paying close attention to detail. They are carpenters by trade and understand concept and execution. Rudloff Custom Builders will provide services for you with the highest level of professionalism, quality, detail, punctuality and craftsmanship, every step of the way along our journey together. Specializing in residential construction allows us to connect with our clients early in the design phase to ensure that every detail is captured as you imagined. One stop shopping is essentially what you will receive with Rudloff Custom Builders from design of your project to the construction of your dreams, executed by on-site project managers and skilled craftsmen. Our concept: envision our client’s ideas and make them a reality. Our mission: CREATING LIFETIME RELATIONSHIPS BUILT ON TRUST AND INTEGRITY. Photo Credit: Linda McManus Images

This wonderfully stunning backyard is a sight for sore eyes, as it seems to beckon “Welcome, please come on in.” At the rear of this outdoor living space is a step-up hot tub that easily holds a entire family of eight. The upper level deck is actually two decks in one. The upper tier – decked out with hardwood floor, columns and black metal rail posts, serves as an outdoor dining room, outdoor living room and outdoor kitchen. The lower tier is a rain deck, completely protected from weather elements above. A slate patio sets the stage for this all natural rock and boulder firepit.

Kevin Wells, www.kevinwellsphoto.com
Inspiration for a contemporary gray exterior home remodel in Portland

Dream backyard This Amazing Dream Backyard Project features just about all the options you have ever dreamed about having in your very own backyard. We just recently completed this project and as you can tell from the video and photos below it’s quite the dream backyard. But dreams can came true, and for these homeowners they certainly have. So proud of our team for coming together and installing another amazing backyard paradise. The outdoor living area features everything from fire to water and includes multiple travertine patio areas, flagstone and travertine walkways, stone steps, pondless waterfall, landscape lighting, outdoor audio, fire pit, and landscaping. To think were the project came from a decrepit old deck to this beautiful work of art is almost unreal! Travertine Patio and Fire Pit The dream backyard project included the installation of various hardscape items including travertine patio, Seating walls, Steps, and walkways. The patio material is silver travertine laid in French pattern. The patio area is approximately 1,012 sq ft with antiqued finish and natural edge. All walls and steps are constructed using natural stone Semco ‘Cedar Ridge’ sawn wall stone. Caps and stair treads are constructed of natural stone ‘Chateau Limestone’ 2″ thick and 14″ deep, thermal top and rock faced edges. Cap stone for grill wall is 18″ wide polished and sealed top. Under grill area the patio is outdoor ‘wood look’ porcelain tile. A Semco ‘Cedar Ridge’ 57″ Fire Pit with Large Zentro ‘Smokeless’ insert is installed on the lower patio area. As of these pictures and this video the fire pit insert has yet to be installed. Sealing of Travertine surfaces using GST stain blocking sealer will be completed once the project is entirely finished. Stepping stone pathway to the side of the home is full color Pa Flagstone irregular steppers. Landscaping Landscape beds, plants, trees, edging and mulching was done around the entire back and side yards of the home using triple cut bark mulch. Plant variety and size specifications were all chosen by our amazing designer Wes. The landscaping portion of this project also included the grading, lawn repair, and seeding of all the areas damaged and disturbed during construction. Pondless Waterfall A 15′ pondless waterfall was installed into the new landscape to the side of the lower patio for maximum viewing. The waterfall features approximately 15 foot of stream with multiple waterfalls. Two side by side spillways merge into a wide stream with a small waterfall before turning and going into the final falls at the basin area. The Waterfall is outfitted with low voltage LED underwater landscape lighting throughout. Outdoor Sound The Outdoor Sound System installed was a TRU Audio 4 speaker system and 12″ outdoor hardscape subwoofer. This system also includes the amplifier which is located in the home owners basement as well as Apple Airport Express and Blue Tooth Connection. Siding Siding work to be completed is still unfinished as of the time this video and pictures were shot. Siding was removed and salvaged in areas need for the patio and electrical work. Siding in areas of new outdoor living space to include: new vinyl siding on entire rear kitchen/bathroom wall from top to bottom as well as Piecing in around lights and sliding door on adjacent wall and in back of garage.

Terraced lake approach using Goshen Stone steps and sloped garden surround.
Inspiration for a large rustic full sun hillside stone garden path in Bridgeport.

Jennifer and Dan have lived in their Deer Park Illinois home for 15 years, slowly making minor fixes like painting and decorating; but they had a new plan for their kitchen the entire time. An awkwardly placed garage door, and an island cooktop with a terrible downdraft made a full-scale kitchen remodel an absolute must. Jennifer had many ideas in mind and wanted to work with a company that could provide high-end work, while partnering with a designer that would tailor the kitchen to her ideas. She was intrigued by the phrase “Common Sense Remodeling” in Advance Design’s feature she discovered while perusing an issue of the community’s Quintessential Barrington Magazine. Doing further research on the company’s website, as she looked through project profiles and read about Advance Design’s “Common Sense Remodeling” philosophy, she promptly scheduled an appointment to see if the people and ideas she read about were truly who they said they were. The more she read, the more she knew that the “Common Sense” approach to remodeling they described was exactly the type of company she was looking for. The partnership was sealed after an initial consultation with Owner Todd Jurs and Project Designer Michelle Lecinski. They displayed a combination of friendliness, professionalism and respect that was unmatched by any of the other companies Jennifer talked to. She knew that with Advance Design, she would be able to retain the vision that she had in mind with high-quality craftsmanship. “I reached out to Advance Design because of the ‘Common Sense Remodeling’ tagline,” Jennifer said. “That’s what lingered for me”. “Advance Design was the most respectful- of the house and of my design ideas, and the most professional of the handful of companies that looked at my project”. Soon after the meeting Jennifer began working with Michelle on the project design. They quickly developed chemistry. Jennifer loved how Michelle researched and located every detail that Jennifer wanted for the kitchen. Between the two of them, every concept and idea was worked through and perfected. “Jennifer had definite ideas about what she wanted the new kitchen to look like, she just didn’t know how to bring it all together. We worked together really well to make her ideas into the practical reality necessary for a well-functioning kitchen, with the look and feel that she had envisioned”, says Michelle. “Michelle was wonderful in using the CAD system she would show me new drawings every time we changed the layout while working through the design,” Jennifer said. “She was a really wonderful partner in execution, she made sure everything happened quickly and easily.” The finished design drew out elements of Jennifer’s style and personality. The pair call the look “sophisticated farmhouse” to describe the kitchen renovation to family and friends. The result was a beautifully crafted, authentic-feeling space that satisfied Jennifer’s dreams 15 years in the making. The whole project consisted of a kitchen remodel, mudroom upgrade with powder room, and garage entry relocation. “The projects I personally like the best, are the ones that put the client’s dreams on display,” Project Designer Michelle said. “And this is one of those projects.” The main focal point of the kitchen is custom zinc and brass ventilation hood with a vintage sheen, which was hand made to order by a small company in Indiana named Vogler Metalworking. “It’s like sculpture, a true work of art”, says Jennifer. Your eye is immediately drawn towards this elegant yet practical hood that eliminated the home’s downdraft problem and added a striking conversation piece at the same time. The carpenters had to use special gloves when transporting and installing it, so they didn’t smudge it with fingerprints. The beautiful hood centers proudly over the stunning black enamel and brass LaCornue Range. “I had a friend who had a LaCornue range and after learning how easy it was to cook perfect meals, I was convinced I wanted to have one”, says Jennifer. This unique, breathtaking combination anchors the entire kitchen and is apparent immediately as you walk into the great room the surrounds the space. DuraSupreme Crestwood cabinets with a Kendall Panel add function and sophistication. A custom gray paint color paired with a storm blue was developed so that the new kitchen looked like it belonged to the existing space. Unlacquered brass faucets and hardware were important to Jennifer because she wanted the living finishes to age over time. Remarkable brass diamond mesh cabinet door inserts imported from the UK continue to add this one-of-a-kind kitchen renovation; giving it a “you won’t see this everywhere” quality. The use of old railcar flooring for the coffee bar countertop and reclaimed oak for the open shelving gives an authenticity to the space uncommon in kitchens today. Jennifer and Michelle fell in love with the Limestone Grey Stone while they were investigating unique island countertop ideas. They liked the fact that the limestone as a living finish will age and change over time. Calcutta Miel Quartz countertops made for an excellent pairing around the perimeter, as it’s durable and perfect for cooking preparations. A textured white subway tile backsplash that runs to the ceiling keeps your eye moving towards the open shelving, and to the main focal point of the stunning range hood combination. “The kitchen functions beautifully, and it’s gorgeous,” beams Jennifer as she gestures with both hands while smiling ear to ear. “The most important thing was I wanted a kitchen that had a wonderful flow, cooked beautiful meals and was a great gathering place for family and friends, and this space does that perfectly! Beauty wise, it turned out exactly how I had envisioned. I felt the function part was the hardest part, and that was nailed”! Relocating the garage entry to the new mudroom was a huge priority and has finally separated the family’s arriving home functions from their kitchen. Now coats and shoes and bags have their own area for dropping once members arrive home. Matching gray DuraSupreme cabinetry helped create gorgeous, purposeful lockers for the family. A reclaimed vintage sink and custom wall paper were added to the tiny powder room to beautify the once previously only functional space. Advance Design was even able to create a custom space for their dog to sleep while the family is away. “It was unbelievable that a project of this size was completed in such a short time, and I think that’s because of the large amount of planning and preparation that went into it,” Jennifer marveled, “When we started, we were ready, and everything was prepared”. When it came to execution, Project Manager Justin Davis and his crew were quick, accessible, and organized. Projects like this kitchen are typically completed in as little as 8-10 weeks. Jennifer’s kitchen however despite the relocation of some challenging HVAC in a soffit and moving of an exterior door was completed remarkably fast in part because the team was working with an existing tile floor that ran throughout the first floor that the client really loved. “You get to know these people really well because they’re living in your house while you’re living in your house. They were so fast and really good, it didn’t take as long as even planned” reported Jennifer. “I would text Justin and he always responded almost immediately. I got to know all the guys who were working in our house and they were all wonderful people”. Details in a customized kitchen like this one require skill and care from the people who install it. “All the guys on the job were skilled at what the did. I wanted small details like little feet to look like furniture, that is where their carpentry skill came in to make these all perfect”, said Jennifer. “The tile guys were wonderful. They even let me determine how I wanted the texture with the grout to appear for a salt and pepper look; now that is a very skilled trade person making it custom”. In Jennifer’s interview, she continued to reference Advance Design’s “Common Sense Remodeling”, so I took a minute to ask her exactly what that phrase meant to her and how it played out in her experience with her project and the Advance Design team. Here is what she said: “I was intrigued about Common Sense Remodeling and in my head that there would be clear costs and prices, great communication between the design team, the execution team and me”, said Jennifer. They did deliver on that, it was so clear about the cost breakdown, what I could expect from everyone who came to my house, and everything that we had ordered. That to me is the Common Sense”! It’s great to see a client take literally our assertion that a well-planned remodeling project is simply “Common Sense”! She anticipated each step of the way would be clear, concise, and predictable, all the while protecting the outcome due to the careful upfront planning. “Advance Design delivered on their ‘Common Sense Remodeling’ promise,” Jennifer said. “From the design team, to the execution team - everything was straight forward like I imagined. The project turned out exactly how I envisioned, I enjoyed this process and absolutely would recommend Advance Design Studio to anyone.”

The steps have a concrete slab underneath, Arizona flagstone tops the slab and the risers are Sonoma field stone. Simple planting of agapathas and lots of mulch.

Photo of a large southwestern drought-tolerant front yard gravel landscaping in Phoenix.

Anice Hoachlander/Hoachlander-Davis Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional front porch design in DC Metro with a roof extension.

Stair treads are illuminated with DekDot™ stair lights by DEKOR® This outdoor LED recessed stair light kit allows exterior steps and stairs to be illuminated for both safety and ambiance. Perfect for decks, docks, patios, and embedding in concrete walkways or steps. The lights have a 30° light angle and become directional simply by turning the housing. Turn them upside down for soffit or under-deck lighting.

Sundberg Kennedy Ly-Au Young Architects collaborated closely with the clients, our consultants, and local craftspeople to design a custom three-story home of native cedar, blackened steel, glass, rock, and cement. The house takes full advantage of a beautiful site on the shores of Lake Washington. The main gathering and social spaces maximize lake front views and extend into the outdoor decks. Photography by Tim Bies.

You can hear the echo of the craftsman’s tools in Blu. The same honest lines and rugged texture as our larger, 80mm version, the same opulent colors and modern yet eternal look, Blu 60mm is lighter in weight and has a smaller height, making it a better choice for pedestrian and light-traffic-only areas such as on walkways and patios.

Bluestone steps
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional partial sun front yard concrete paver driveway in New York.

Interior entry with new minimalist concrete steps purposefully colored to match the existing distressed concrete floors. Steel handrails core drilled into concrete and filler colored to assume aged appearance. Darryl Carter Design Wnuk Spurlock Architecture Glass Construction, Inc. Rem Rogers - Senior Project Developer and Manager