Paintings of couples are exquisite creative depictions of friendship, love, and connection. Whether it is an abstract representation of love, a symbolic representation of togetherness, or a romantic embrace, couple paintings immortalize feelings. Using a variety of styles, colors, and techniques, artists from all over the world have produced beautiful pair artworks that arouse strong emotions of love and tenderness.

Built from the ground up on 80 acres outside Dallas, Oregon, this new modern ranch house is a balanced blend of natural and industrial elements. The custom home beautifully combines various materials, unique lines and angles, and attractive finishes throughout. The property owners wanted to create a living space with a strong indoor-outdoor connection. We integrated built-in sky lights, floor-to-ceiling windows and vaulted ceilings to attract ample, natural lighting. The master bathroom is spacious and features an open shower room with soaking tub and natural pebble tiling. There is custom-built cabinetry throughout the home, including extensive closet space, library shelving, and floating side tables in the master bedroom. The home flows easily from one room to the next and features a covered walkway between the garage and house. One of our favorite features in the home is the two-sided fireplace – one side facing the living room and the other facing the outdoor space. In addition to the fireplace, the homeowners can enjoy an outdoor living space including a seating area, in-ground fire pit and soaking tub.

The client asked that this major renovation of her home in Palo Alto be based on principles described in Sarah Susanka’s Not-So-Big House and Christopher Alexander’s A Pattern Language. She wanted beauty, emotional connection with her environment, good indoor-outdoor relationships, fostering of social gathering, functional spaces, and ecological design. https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/palo-alto-cottage/

The client asked that this major renovation of her home in Palo Alto be based on principles described in Sarah Susanka’s Not-So-Big House and Christopher Alexander’s A Pattern Language. She wanted beauty, emotional connection with her environment, good indoor-outdoor relationships, fostering of social gathering, functional spaces, and ecological design. https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/palo-alto-cottage/

Because the homeowner’s work can be demanding, I recommended calming artwork as the primary focal point for this luxury home office design. The peaceful image not only brought balance and softness to the workspace, but also created a deeply personal connection because it reminded her of her childhood home. It was a meaningful design moment that made the finished room feel both elevated and emotionally connected. Design: Carol Lombardo Weil; Photography: Salisography

The client asked that this major renovation of her home in Palo Alto be based on principles described in Sarah Susanka’s Not-So-Big House and Christopher Alexander’s A Pattern Language. She wanted beauty, emotional connection with her environment, good indoor-outdoor relationships, fostering of social gathering, functional spaces, and ecological design. https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/palo-alto-cottage/

The client asked that this major renovation of her home in Palo Alto be based on principles described in Sarah Susanka’s Not-So-Big House and Christopher Alexander’s A Pattern Language. She wanted beauty, emotional connection with her environment, good indoor-outdoor relationships, fostering of social gathering, functional spaces, and ecological design. https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/palo-alto-cottage/

The client asked that this major renovation of her home in Palo Alto be based on principles described in Sarah Susanka’s Not-So-Big House and Christopher Alexander’s A Pattern Language. She wanted beauty, emotional connection with her environment, good indoor-outdoor relationships, fostering of social gathering, functional spaces, and ecological design. https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/palo-alto-cottage/

Final Thoughts This kitchen and laundry remodel in Berryville, VA, is a showcase of what’s possible when design, craftsmanship, and modern aesthetics come together. Through seamless cabinetry and thoughtful spatial planning, we’ve created spaces that are not only functional but emotionally uplifting — places that invite you to live, cook, clean, and connect in style.

The client asked that this major renovation of her home in Palo Alto be based on principles described in Sarah Susanka’s Not-So-Big House and Christopher Alexander’s A Pattern Language. She wanted beauty, emotional connection with her environment, good indoor-outdoor relationships, fostering of social gathering, functional spaces, and ecological design. https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/palo-alto-cottage/

The client asked that this major renovation of her home in Palo Alto be based on principles described in Sarah Susanka’s Not-So-Big House and Christopher Alexander’s A Pattern Language. She wanted beauty, emotional connection with her environment, good indoor-outdoor relationships, fostering of social gathering, functional spaces, and ecological design. https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/palo-alto-cottage/

Minimalist exterior home photo in Burlington

We know more about current buyer behaviors... Selecting finishes and wall color that reads fresh and light and attracts higher paying buyers. Styling with fresh neutral color and more about textures creates the interest and This creates simple memory points and emotional connections that sell homes!

The aluminum sculpture adds emotion while grounding the native vegetation in bog #1.
This is an example of a contemporary landscaping in Charlotte.

Style It Home, LLC uses current home buyer trends to help select finishes and wall color that reads fresh, classic and light. Styling and staging with fresh neutrals and textures creates simple memory points, areas to pause and notice the home while emotionally connecting the potential buyer with the home... Styling properly helps sell homes!

Design & wellness :: the Zoom House is designed for multiple private video conferencing areas, daylighting, active design, and connection to the outdoor spaces. These are the design qualities that can improve wellness. This R&D is directly inspired by the pandemic. Here is the link to the mini-series: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSJ1C78QgdQ5Ia6-Ms9B-0A

Soft neutrals, warm gold accents, and intentional styling designed to create an immediate emotional connection the moment buyers step inside. Styled & Sold, LLC | San Antonio

Challenge This 2001 riverfront home was purchased by the owners in 2015 and immediately renovated. Progressive Design Build was hired at that time to remodel the interior, with tentative plans to remodel their outdoor living space as a second phase design/build remodel. True to their word, after completing the interior remodel, this young family turned to Progressive Design Build in 2017 to address known zoning regulations and restrictions in their backyard and build an outdoor living space that was fit for entertaining and everyday use. The homeowners wanted a pool and spa, outdoor living room, kitchen, fireplace and covered patio. They also wanted to stay true to their home’s Old Florida style architecture while also adding a Jamaican influence to the ceiling detail, which held sentimental value to the homeowners who honeymooned in Jamaica. Solution To tackle the known zoning regulations and restrictions in the backyard, the homeowners researched and applied for a variance. With the variance in hand, Progressive Design Build sat down with the homeowners to review several design options. These options included: Option 1) Modifications to the original pool design, changing it to be longer and narrower and comply with an existing drainage easement Option 2) Two different layouts of the outdoor living area Option 3) Two different height elevations and options for the fire pit area Option 4) A proposed breezeway connecting the new area with the existing home After reviewing the options, the homeowners chose the design that placed the pool on the backside of the house and the outdoor living area on the west side of the home (Option 1). It was important to build a patio structure that could sustain a hurricane (a Southwest Florida necessity), and provide substantial sun protection. The new covered area was supported by structural columns and designed as an open-air porch (with no screens) to allow for an unimpeded view of the Caloosahatchee River. The open porch design also made the area feel larger, and the roof extension was built with substantial strength to survive severe weather conditions. The pool and spa were connected to the adjoining patio area, designed to flow seamlessly into the next. The pool deck was designed intentionally in a 3-color blend of concrete brick with freeform edge detail to mimic the natural river setting. Bringing the outdoors inside, the pool and fire pit were slightly elevated to create a small separation of space. Result All of the desirable amenities of a screened porch were built into an open porch, including electrical outlets, a ceiling fan/light kit, TV, audio speakers, and a fireplace. The outdoor living area was finished off with additional storage for cushions, ample lighting, an outdoor dining area, a smoker, a grill, a double-side burner, an under cabinet refrigerator, a major ventilation system, and water supply plumbing that delivers hot and cold water to the sinks. Because the porch is under a roof, we had the option to use classy woods that would give the structure a natural look and feel. We chose a dark cypress ceiling with a gloss finish, replicating the same detail that the homeowners experienced in Jamaica. This created a deep visceral and emotional reaction from the homeowners to their new backyard. The family now spends more time outdoors enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of nature. Their professional lives allow them to take a trip to paradise right in their backyard—stealing moments that reflect on the past, but are also enjoyed in the present.

Challenge This 2001 riverfront home was purchased by the owners in 2015 and immediately renovated. Progressive Design Build was hired at that time to remodel the interior, with tentative plans to remodel their outdoor living space as a second phase design/build remodel. True to their word, after completing the interior remodel, this young family turned to Progressive Design Build in 2017 to address known zoning regulations and restrictions in their backyard and build an outdoor living space that was fit for entertaining and everyday use. The homeowners wanted a pool and spa, outdoor living room, kitchen, fireplace and covered patio. They also wanted to stay true to their home’s Old Florida style architecture while also adding a Jamaican influence to the ceiling detail, which held sentimental value to the homeowners who honeymooned in Jamaica. Solution To tackle the known zoning regulations and restrictions in the backyard, the homeowners researched and applied for a variance. With the variance in hand, Progressive Design Build sat down with the homeowners to review several design options. These options included: Option 1) Modifications to the original pool design, changing it to be longer and narrower and comply with an existing drainage easement Option 2) Two different layouts of the outdoor living area Option 3) Two different height elevations and options for the fire pit area Option 4) A proposed breezeway connecting the new area with the existing home After reviewing the options, the homeowners chose the design that placed the pool on the backside of the house and the outdoor living area on the west side of the home (Option 1). It was important to build a patio structure that could sustain a hurricane (a Southwest Florida necessity), and provide substantial sun protection. The new covered area was supported by structural columns and designed as an open-air porch (with no screens) to allow for an unimpeded view of the Caloosahatchee River. The open porch design also made the area feel larger, and the roof extension was built with substantial strength to survive severe weather conditions. The pool and spa were connected to the adjoining patio area, designed to flow seamlessly into the next. The pool deck was designed intentionally in a 3-color blend of concrete brick with freeform edge detail to mimic the natural river setting. Bringing the outdoors inside, the pool and fire pit were slightly elevated to create a small separation of space. Result All of the desirable amenities of a screened porch were built into an open porch, including electrical outlets, a ceiling fan/light kit, TV, audio speakers, and a fireplace. The outdoor living area was finished off with additional storage for cushions, ample lighting, an outdoor dining area, a smoker, a grill, a double-side burner, an under cabinet refrigerator, a major ventilation system, and water supply plumbing that delivers hot and cold water to the sinks. Because the porch is under a roof, we had the option to use classy woods that would give the structure a natural look and feel. We chose a dark cypress ceiling with a gloss finish, replicating the same detail that the homeowners experienced in Jamaica. This created a deep visceral and emotional reaction from the homeowners to their new backyard. The family now spends more time outdoors enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of nature. Their professional lives allow them to take a trip to paradise right in their backyard—stealing moments that reflect on the past, but are also enjoyed in the present.