Example of a mountain style beige tile and travertine tile pebble tile floor alcove shower design in Sacramento with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, beige walls and white countertops

Jim Furhmann
Inspiration for a rustic l-shaped open concept kitchen remodel in New York with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, white backsplash and paneled appliances

We transformed this plain Jane nursery into the a funky fresh and colorful toddler bedroom using DIY know-how, smarty shopping, kids art and current trends. We share our must-haves, steals & deals, and oh yeah see all the details of this super fresh and fun big girl bedroom on our on our blog, including this IKEA bed frame hack using Serena & Lily fabric.

Cowboy Kitchen LOREC Ranch is renowned for its artisanal approach to creating cowboy kitchen table cabinets, a tradition deeply rooted in both craftsmanship and rustic charm. The ranch’s approach to woodworking melds time-honored techniques with innovative methods, producing cabinets that epitomize the rugged elegance of cowboy culture. Selecting the Wood The process begins with the selection of high-quality wood. At LOREC Ranch, the choice of lumber is critical to the final product. They use a variety of hardwoods such as oak, pine, and walnut. Each type of wood offers unique characteristics—oak for its strength and durability, pine for its workability and warm hue, and walnut for its rich, dark tones. The wood is carefully sourced from sustainable forests, ensuring both environmental responsibility and superior quality. Once procured, the wood undergoes a thorough drying process to reduce moisture content, which is crucial for preventing future warping or cracking. Design and Craftsmanship Design is a pivotal stage in the creation of cowboy kitchen table cabinets. LOREC Ranch's designs often draw inspiration from traditional cowboy aesthetics, incorporating elements like sturdy, rugged lines and intricate detailing that reflects the essence of Western life. The design phase involves detailed planning and sketching, ensuring that the cabinets not only serve their functional purpose but also enhance the rustic charm of any kitchen. Cowboy Kitchens are a stable of the American Midwest. The next step is crafting the cabinet frames. Skilled artisans at LOREC Ranch use a combination of modern and traditional techniques. While some aspects of the construction process involve high-tech machinery for precision cutting and joining, much of the fine detailing is done by hand. This includes hand-carving and finishing touches that give each cabinet a unique, handcrafted feel. The artisans' expertise ensures that every joint is perfectly aligned and every surface is smooth and ready for finishing. Assembly and Finishing Once the components are cut and shaped, they are assembled using time-tested joinery techniques. LOREC Ranch favors methods such as dovetail and mortise-and-tenon joints, which not only enhance the strength and durability of the cabinets but also align with the traditional craftsmanship that defines their products of the Cowboys Kitchen. The assembly process is meticulous, ensuring that each piece fits together seamlessly and stands the test of time. Finishing is where the cabinets truly come to life. LOREC Ranch uses a range of techniques to achieve a finish that complements the wood’s natural beauty while providing protection against wear and tear. This often involves multiple coats of stain or varnish, each applied with care to enhance the wood’s grain and texture. The finishing process is both art and science, requiring a delicate balance to ensure the cabinets not only look beautiful but are also resistant to daily use. Quality Control and Delivery Before any cabinet leaves the workshop, it undergoes rigorous quality control. Every detail is inspected to ensure that the cabinet meets LOREC Ranch’s high standards. This includes checking for structural integrity, finish consistency, and overall craftsmanship. Only after passing this thorough inspection are the Cowboys Kitchens cabinets prepared for delivery. At LOREC Ranch, the journey of creating cowboy kitchen cabinets is a blend of tradition and innovation. From selecting the finest wood to the final touches of finishing, every step is executed with precision and care. The result is a product that is not only a testament to the rich heritage of cowboy craftsmanship but also a functional and stylish addition to any kitchen. The Cowboy Kitchen by LOREC Ranch Home Furnishings is a celebration of the rustic, western lifestyle, offering a unique blend of rugged charm and modern practicality. Designed for those who appreciate the simplicity and warmth of western living, the Cowboy Kitchen collection includes a variety of furniture and decor that can transform any kitchen into a western oasis. Central to this collection are the cowboy kitchen tables and cowboy kitchen cabinets, which feature solid wood construction, intricate detailing, and finishes that reflect the natural beauty of the materials used. These pieces are ideal for creating a western style kitchen that feels both authentic and welcoming. LOREC Ranch's cowboy kitchen tables are crafted with both functionality and style in mind. Whether you’re looking for a cowboy dining table for family meals or a cowboy kitchen fold-up table for smaller spaces, these pieces are designed to meet a variety of needs. The hideaway kitchen tables and Murphy kitchen tables offer innovative solutions for maximizing space without sacrificing the rustic aesthetic. For those interested in DIY projects, cowboy kitchen table plans are available, allowing you to customize your table to suit your specific preferences and space requirements. In addition to tables, the cowboy kitchen cabinets and cowboy kitchen armoires are key elements in creating a cohesive western style kitchen. These cowboy cabinets are made from high-quality wood and feature designs that are both practical and decorative, with ample storage space and a style that echoes the rugged charm of the American frontier. The western style kitchen cabinets are perfect for those who want to bring a touch of the wild west into their home while ensuring their kitchen remains functional and organized. To complete the look, cowboy kitchen decor items, such as western-themed accents and accessories, are available to enhance the overall atmosphere of the western kitchens. These decor pieces complement the larger furniture items, tying together the rustic aesthetic and creating a warm, inviting space that feels like a true cowboy's kitchen. Whether you’re looking to create a completely western-themed kitchen or just want to add a few rustic touches, LOREC Ranch’s Cowboy Kitchen collection offers everything you need to bring your vision to life​

The original breakfast room was removed and the corner corner squared off a the site of the new sink. The removal of the wall dividing the kitchen and dining areas allowed the kitchen to expand and accommodate the open concept floor plan. The result is an amazingly comfortable & beautiful space in which to cook & entertain.

This home was built in 1983 and looked every bit its age. As is so often the case, the owners purchased it because it was a great deal, in a great school district and had "good bones." But the accolades ended at the curb. The home was a hotbed of bad choices and not to their liking. So armed with YouTube video and a Home Depot card they set out to change it. After years of DIYing it and still not happy, the owners decided it was time to call Alair and get the expertise of professional help if they were ever going to have the home of their dreams.

After flowing down the slope alongside the staircase, the handrill pours into another round basin. Architect: Wolf Architects, Inc. General Contractor: GF Rhode Construction, Inc. Landscape Contractor: Robert Hanss, Inc. Steel Fabrication: Wovensteel and Richard Duca Water Systems: Pond Creations by Sean Photo by Susan Teare.

Example of a minimalist dining room design in New York

Freestanding, Douglas-fir, 16′ x 32′ timber frame DIY pergola kit with a footprint of 14′ x 30′. It features a TimberVolt™ power post, Roosevelt style beam & rafter end profiles, Classic and full arched knee braces with decorative keystones and finished in a premium high-grade UV protective White timber stain.

This home was built in 1983 and looked every bit its age. As is so often the case, the owners purchased it because it was a great deal, in a great school district and had "good bones." But the accolades ended at the curb. The home was a hotbed of bad choices and not to their liking. So armed with YouTube video and a Home Depot card they set out to change it. After years of DIYing it and still not happy, the owners decided it was time to call Alair and get the expertise of professional help if they were ever going to have the home of their dreams.

This home was built in 1983 and looked every bit its age. As is so often the case, the owners purchased it because it was a great deal, in a great school district and had "good bones." But the accolades ended at the curb. The home was a hotbed of bad choices and not to their liking. So armed with YouTube video and a Home Depot card they set out to change it. After years of DIYing it and still not happy, the owners decided it was time to call Alair and get the expertise of professional help if they were ever going to have the home of their dreams.

http://chrisandmalissa.com/
Inspiration for a rustic patio remodel in Seattle with no cover

This article is posted here with the consent of the author. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, view, or opinion of Crestron Electronics, Inc., or of any of its employees. Crestron Electronics is not responsible for, and does not verify the accuracy of, any of the information contained in this article. By Jeff Singer The “smart” revolution began several years ago with smartphones (a.k.a phones) and has extended in recent years to thermostats, doorbells, alarm systems, and kitchen appliances. Smart devices are so ubiquitous that the term “smart” is overused to the point that it is almost meaningless. Companies are eager to jump on the bandwagon and claim their products are “smart,” and consumers proudly claim they have a smart home because they have lighting control. Misconceptions about smart homes are prevalent and create confusion in the marketplace. This can have deleterious effects on businesses and underserve consumers. Here are seven of the most popular misconceptions about smart homes: 1. Apps are smart Apps are convenient and easy to use. Yes, it seems there’s an app for everything. People expect to be able to download an app and do just about anything. App developers and many companies do not disavow consumers of this myth. On the contrary, they promote this idea with carefully worded descriptions. The promise of having the world at your fingertips for $1.99 is very enticing. Although it sounds too good to be true, it is also too good to pass up for many people. This leads to undervaluing home control and disappointment when the apps don’t work, which undermines confidence in our industry. The fact is that apps are not smart. They do not control anything. They must connect to and communicate with a control system or cloud service that processes, prioritizes, and executes commands. That’s the real magic and what most people do not understand. 2. Smart devices work together With so many smart appliances and devices on the market today, it’s understandable that the average consumer might think that they actually communicate and work together. This is simply not the case. Smart devices are not that smart. They are designed and manufactured by different, often competing, companies. There are no national or industry standards governing these products. Even if they all operate using Wi-Fi® communications, that doesn’t mean they work together. Some companies promote a home control platform, which unites different devices from different companies – in theory. The platform is yet another third-party software totally dependent on other companies developing APIs and writing control modules for their hardware to run on that piece of software. The devices are not independently compatible. Also, when updates are made to either the hardware or the software, functionality may be affected for some period. That’s a nice way of saying the device or system won’t work and there’s no way of knowing for how long. 3. It’s a DIY project Which brings us to the next myth, which is that the average person can do it themselves. Unless you are a skilled professional, I would not advise taking on a smart home project. You want to make a light turn on and off with your Alexa® or Google Assistant™ virtual assistant software, go for it. A smart home takes much more planning and expertise. I have no problem changing a light bulb or hanging a light fixture in my dining room; however, I am not going to rewire my house. I may change the flush valve in my toilet, but I’m not going to replace the pipes in my house. You get it. Integrating devices and systems, establishing different zones, creating scenes, designing the UI with a balance between control, feedback, and simplicity – all takes experience and skill. 4. Need a programmer to make changes Early adopters may have experienced the pain of trying to make a simple change or update to their home control system. Years ago, if the cable provider changed the channel line-up, the homeowner would have to call the dealer or programmer to make an appointment for them to come out to the house to reprogram the system. The system wouldn’t work as expected until it was updated, which often took several days and beaucoup bucks. Not anymore. Technology has evolved so now it’s easy for system owners to change favorite channels, create scenes, rename buttons, update images, and more. While a professional is needed for the initial installation and setup, the system is easy to manage once it’s up and running. This makes life so much easier for both dealer and customer. 5. Tech becomes obsolete quickly Similar to updating the UI, updating firmware or hardware used to be a stressful process. A smart home should be intelligent enough to update itself. Apps don’t become obsolete. Updates are constantly pushed out from the cloud, making them better all the time. The same is true for a good smart home system. New features, functions, and device support gets added in the background consistently, so the system you installed (or purchased) yesterday gets better over time. Swapping out decorative elements, such as keypads, dimmers, and touch screens is also seamless. When a new device is added, all the settings are pulled down from the cloud and it just works. No system interruptions. No sunk costs. No imposing house calls. No surprise bills. 6. Lighting control saves energy and money Lighting control is one of the most popular smart systems, but it takes more than just one system to make a home smart. On the surface, it makes sense that if you dim the lights ten percent, then you save ten percent of energy costs. If the shades are raised during the day to take advantage of sunlight so the lights don’t need to be on (or at least not 100%), but that causes the room temperature to rise a few degrees, which triggers the air conditioner to run longer and more often, was energy usage (or cost) reduced? A smart home integrates all the various systems and technology to optimize comfort, convenience, safety, and sometimes energy. 7. Home technology is easy to hack Security is at the forefront of people’s minds these days. Personal identities are stolen; email accounts hacked; private photos publicized; and more. A smart home must outsmart those who don’t respect privacy. Crestron control systems adhere to the strictest security standards. The same Crestron control system that goes into a home is also installed in secure government and military facilities, global banking institutions, hospitals, and other mission critical applications. When installed correctly by a trained professional, a Crestron smart home is the gold standard for security, comfort, and convenience.

This home was built in 1983 and looked every bit its age. As is so often the case, the owners purchased it because it was a great deal, in a great school district and had "good bones." But the accolades ended at the curb. The home was a hotbed of bad choices and not to their liking. So armed with YouTube video and a Home Depot card they set out to change it. After years of DIYing it and still not happy, the owners decided it was time to call Alair and get the expertise of professional help if they were ever going to have the home of their dreams.

This home was built in 1983 and looked every bit its age. As is so often the case, the owners purchased it because it was a great deal, in a great school district and had "good bones." But the accolades ended at the curb. The home was a hotbed of bad choices and not to their liking. So armed with YouTube video and a Home Depot card they set out to change it. After years of DIYing it and still not happy, the owners decided it was time to call Alair and get the expertise of professional help if they were ever going to have the home of their dreams.

This home was built in 1983 and looked every bit its age. As is so often the case, the owners purchased it because it was a great deal, in a great school district and had "good bones." But the accolades ended at the curb. The home was a hotbed of bad choices and not to their liking. So armed with YouTube video and a Home Depot card they set out to change it. After years of DIYing it and still not happy, the owners decided it was time to call Alair and get the expertise of professional help if they were ever going to have the home of their dreams.

This home was built in 1983 and looked every bit its age. As is so often the case, the owners purchased it because it was a great deal, in a great school district and had "good bones." But the accolades ended at the curb. The home was a hotbed of bad choices and not to their liking. So armed with YouTube video and a Home Depot card they set out to change it. After years of DIYing it and still not happy, the owners decided it was time to call Alair and get the expertise of professional help if they were ever going to have the home of their dreams.

This home was built in 1983 and looked every bit its age. As is so often the case, the owners purchased it because it was a great deal, in a great school district and had "good bones." But the accolades ended at the curb. The home was a hotbed of bad choices and not to their liking. So armed with YouTube video and a Home Depot card they set out to change it. After years of DIYing it and still not happy, the owners decided it was time to call Alair and get the expertise of professional help if they were ever going to have the home of their dreams.

This home was built in 1983 and looked every bit its age. As is so often the case, the owners purchased it because it was a great deal, in a great school district and had "good bones." But the accolades ended at the curb. The home was a hotbed of bad choices and not to their liking. So armed with YouTube video and a Home Depot card they set out to change it. After years of DIYing it and still not happy, the owners decided it was time to call Alair and get the expertise of professional help if they were ever going to have the home of their dreams.