For this project we were given the pleasure of working with one of our repeat clients—and quite the project it was. Situated in one of Austin’s most premiere locations, before we got our hands on it the landscape for this house was left in significant disrepair. There were broken water features, limbs damaging the sides of the house, overgrown grass and weeds, and overgrown vines. The homeowners trusted us to come up with new ways to enhance and cleanup the space on this beautiful property, while also keeping it dog friendly and adding some new raised planters for a vegetable garden. Two living walls and a custom water feature made this property unique from others like it, and native plants were chosen to frame the house, rather than distract from it, giving it our Native Edge touch. After several months of install, plus one outdoor shower and kitchen later, the finished product turned out to be well worth the effort.

photos: Sean Robertson
Inspiration for a mid-sized eclectic guest dark wood floor bedroom remodel in Los Angeles with beige walls

Kitchen - kitchen idea in Vancouver

Uber chic industrial modern interior space. Bright, spacious and visually stimulating. The gorgeous hand made rug grounds the beautiful surrounding design work.

The low budget, family house project posed a challenge of conveniently arranging multiple rooms in small area. Pre-reconstruction edges of the walls were toned down, in order to conform to the new, minimalistic aesthetics and letting two colors prevail in the interior was also the part of the concept. The white walls and the large mirrors make the space appear sizable. The wooden components of the interior bring an unifying ambience into play. The technical lighting illuminates the rooms without distracting the eye. CREDITS Project Leader: Beka Pkhakadze Copywriter: Mika Motskobili Photos: Beka Pkhakadze Location: Tbilisi / Georgia Type: Residential Interior Site: 110 sq.m. Year: 2014 Status: Complete

Block Off Distractions With Venetian Blinds Whether for a home office section where you need to get work done or a real office setting for the modern workplace, Venetian window blinds deliver the classic look that provides both privacy and sunlight control tools. Find out about the different variations and possibilities Venetian blinds can add to your doors or windows by booking a free, no-obligation, in-person consultation with our expert blinds design team!

Loft photo credit: Steve Rawls
Inspiration for a large farmhouse open concept concrete floor and brown floor family room remodel in Austin with beige walls and no fireplace

Traditional Home Office Design for client in Midwest
Inspiration for a transitional home office remodel in Chicago

Light and shade are crucial elements of landscape design, especially in winter when the distractions of texture and detail are no longer evident.
Photo of a traditional landscaping in DC Metro for winter.

The windows on two sides of this master bedroom bring tons of light into this space. But we've all experienced the distraction of having light reflecting off the screen of a tv or computer screen. This peek-a-boo wall mirror opens out to reveal the media centre within, doubling as a screen shadow when necessary. (Calgary Photos)

Home offices come in many different shapes, sizes, and styles. There are important things to consider when planning your home office whether your workspace is in a converted garage, a purpose-built annex, a small bedroom, or a corner of another room. Some people spend over 35 hours-a-week in this space, so it needs to be distraction-free and comfortable. The RoomSketcher App is a great app for planning a home office or study. You can try out different furniture layouts without moving the furniture around in real life, choose your desired wall color and plan shelving and storage for the room.

To the left of this beam, the house had been extended in a past renovation. We had to work with the beam, and so we designed a shelf unit to tuck in just below it, so that the cabinet doors on either side of the beam would be at the same height, allowing the open shelf unit to distract from the beam.

A transformation of a modest raised ranch into a modern oasis. I was the interior designer and general contractor from mechanicals to finishing. It’s also my personal home. The interior design style is that of modern minimalist meets organic modern. I wanted a space that reduced distractions and let the eyes, head, and soul rest. Where everything inside the home has a specific use and purpose. The objects in our home are fewer but each hold a great personal value. You might expect to see this airy aesthetic, with its gallery white walls, in California or New York. Not nestled in a modest 50 year old neighborhood in Omaha, Nebraska. Creating a minimal aesthetic is one of the trickiest design styles to pull off. It is more than just less stuff and lots of white. It means sticking to these design principals: -weaving in an abundance of textures -incorporating natural finishes -keenly curating art -giving extra attention to scale -limiting purely decorative items -maximizing natural light This style is not to be confused with the frugality of reductive design. I have incorporated many elevated basics that create an aesthetic of quiet luxury: -architectural bead for trim-less doors -first-of-its kind interior door hardware made of terrazzo -historical marble found in landmark interiors like the NY Public Library -premium flush air vents that disappear out of site -luxury appliances from GE Café and Signature -elegant and resilient terrazzo field tiles Ours was not a simple interior remodel and addition: -gutted and remodeled the existing 2,000 SF -added on approximately another 1,000 SF -moved and installed all new major mechanicals i.e. heating, plumbing and electrical. -knocked through foundation walls to extend the space back -dug down and built up

I was recently hired to stage an older (yet very charming) duplex in Carlisle, PA. The home is vacant and had been a rental for the past few years. It has adorable wood moulding throughout, as well as hardwood flooring on the main level. Considering what the homeowner has invested in appliances and other repairs, as well as realtor fees, the budget for staging was right around $1000. This allowed us to bring in furniture, accessories, area rugs and wall art to really bring the home to life. Take a look at the before and after and see what a difference $1000 can make on a home! Before staging, the house felt drab and boring. The view of the neighbor’s peeling house paint outside the windows was a huge distraction from the potential of this home to be a warm and cheery place for a potential buyer. Ideally, I would have placed curtain rods and soft, white sheers over the windows to allow the light to stream in, yet help detract from the need for a paint job on the exterior of the neighbor’s home. However the seller’s budget didn’t allow for window treatments so my job was to use the furniture and accessories keep the eye and focus on the beauty of this home and help buyers to feel like this house could be their home. Seeking a real estate home stager in the Harrisburg, Camp Hill, Mechanicsburg or Carlisle area of central PA? Contact Sherri today. No home staging job is too big or too small.

design: Studio TOOP, 2008 location: Vianen, NL status: built in 2008, Tuinvreugd photo: Jolanthe Lalkens, 2009 This front garden needed to make a link with the newly built contemporary home and its gorgeous view. The key was for the design not to compete with either. Strokes of three types of grass and textural interest and privacy while not distracting you from the main focus of the garden: the view!

In collaboration with the client’s architect, AR Design the layout of the kitchen was already in place. However, upon meeting the client it was clear she wanted a ‘wow’ island, symmetry in design and plenty of functional storage. As well as a contemporary, family-friendly space it was also important the space that still respected the heritage of the house. The original walls of the property had many angled walls and featured some tight spaces, so careful consideration of SieMatic's cabinetry choices was given to ensure maximum functionality in those spaces. After much consideration, The Myers Touch specified SieMatic’s SC10 Cabinetry in a Provence Oak Laminate finish which was placed in a framed-style at the rear wall. The same cabinetry was specified for under the island to create contrast with the new and original material features in the space. In order for the family to keep the kitchen uncluttered, careful planning of internal storage systems was considered in the form of using SieMatic’s internal Drawer boxes and their MultiMatic internal storage system which were used to store smaller items such as spices and sauces, as well whilst providing space for slide-out drawers and storage baskets. To ensure an elegant yet ‘wow’ factor central island, The Myers Touch combined contrasting textures by using 30mm Silestone Eternal Calacatta natural stone, polished worktops with ‘waterfall island’ edges and a Corian solid surface back panel. The distinctive geometric patterned Corian panel in Cameo White looks particularly spectacular at night when the owner's turn on the architectural-toned lighting under the island. Appliances chosen for the island included a sophisticated Elica Illusion extractor hood so it could be totally integrated in the new architectural space without visual distraction, a Siemens iQ500 Induction Hob with touch-slide control and a Caple Under-counter Wine cabinet. To maximise every inch of the new space, and to ensure the owners had a place for everything, The Myers Touch also used additional cabinetry and storage options in the island such as extra deep drawers to store saucepans, cutlery, and everyday crockery. The eye-catching Antique-bronze mirrored splashback not only helps to provide the illusion of extra space, but reinforces family ‘togetherness’ as it reflects and links the rear of the kitchen ‘snug’ area where family members can sit and relax or work when not in the main kitchen extension area. The original toned brickwork and 18th Century steel windows in the original part of the extension also helps to tell the story about the older part of the house which now juxtaposes to the new, contemporary kitchen living extension. A handy door was also included in the extension which leads to the garage on the main road for family convenience and over-flow storage. Photography by Paul Craig (Reproduction of image by request only - joy@bakerpr.co.uk)

A real modern marvel, the kitchen unites utility with design. Wall-to-ceiling minimalist cabinetry in a soft matte finish provides ample storage space while maintaining a clean, uninterrupted flow. Stainless steel appliances are built-in and perfectly integrated into the room so as not to distract from its linear elegance.

Mid-sized trendy dark wood floor great room photo in Austin with beige walls

Early 20th century Louis Philippe style giltwood mirror with clamshell carvings. Beautiful aged gilt finish with bevel mirror, large clam shell carving at the top and intricate carved details. This mirror is wood, and gesso. Minor scratches to the frame where you will see white peeking through. It does have age, and has a couple minor carvings missing. This does not distract from the mirror and is very hard to spot out when looking at it. Overall is in great condition, the frame is solid and sturdy, the mirror is secure inside the frame. It looks as if it were once above a mantel (fireplace), there are 2 tiny holes at the very top where is was once placed. Measures: 47" W x 2.5" D x 61" H.