Our clients had a dishwasher disaster in their 1950 s galley kitchen last year. The insurance company was sonly willing to pay about half the cost to rebuild. The clients also didn't like the dark, tight kitchen, and wanted to come up up with a way to open it up to the main room of their home. We took out the wall between kitchen and living room, while keeping the flow of the kitchen and saving money on pre-fab cabinets. We also put a large island at the end of the space, with open shelving above to display beloved travel artifacts. One secret - the stair down to the lower floor goes right beneath the island, leaving just enough space for some toy storage shelves on either side. We used hand-crafted Zellige tile for the backsplash, to echo the crafted quality of some of the décor. Not every client has an endless budget, so we work with families to get the most from their resources. In this case, the clients also feel that the space has "California Coastal" light, even in the Pacific Northwest.

Fond memories and classic charm guide the design for a modern family home in Old Palo Alto Even in future-oriented Silicon Valley, there are enclaves like Old Palo Alto, where time has stood still a little longer. The clients, a family of four, were drawn to the casual charm of the community, particularly the rambling landscape of a rare half-acre lot near Gamble Garden where they could build a warm and welcoming home suited to their relaxed style of living and entertaining. The two-tone gray shingle style abode features a broad front porch for taking in the afternoon breezes and greeting children as they return from school. Beneath a center gable, the sunny yellow Dutch door ushers in all who enter with a very warm welcome. Inside, bespoke details are the result of genuine collaboration between the clients and FGA. Soft ivory plaster walls, chestnut floors, and cedar-inlay ceilings frame rooms filled with custom milled built-ins like library shelves, writing desks, and window seats. Handsome wainscoting, whimsical railings, and colorful tiles are among the unique elements that wrap rooms in comfort and elicit a sense of nostalgia for the homeowners. Storybook stone fireplaces recall time spent in Carmel while hand-hewn half-round beams are inspired by vacations in New Mexico. The living room picture window is a heartfelt reminder of childhood memories made at grandmother’s house. All first-floor rooms offer immediate access to outdoor living areas including the large stone patio, lounge, and pool. This seamless extension to the vintage farm-like grounds and lush gardens signifies the authentic spirit of California’s al fresco lifestyle.

Central El Paso Backyard Renovation: Fifteen years is a long time for a backyard to quietly wait. At first, it was full of intention—a pool that promised summers, laughter, and long evenings. But time has a way of settling in. The water turned still, then green. Edges cracked. The space became less of a destination and more of something you looked past. Life moved forward, but the backyard stayed behind. Then came the decision: it was time. Not a patch job. Not a quick fix. A complete reset. The transformation didn’t begin beautifully—it began with demolition. The old pool was drained, exposing years of neglect etched into its surface. Crews stepped in, breaking, clearing, reshaping. What once held stagnant water became an open cavity of possibility. Steel rebar formed a new skeleton, precise and intentional. Every line measured. Every elevation reconsidered. This wasn’t just construction—it was rethinking how the space should live. The shell was rebuilt. Surfaces were refined. Plumbing, structure, and flow were corrected at their core. What had once been outdated and failing was now engineered to last. Then the shift happened. Hardscape came in—clean, warm-toned concrete replacing worn decking. Stone walls, once just boundaries, were elevated into features. Subtle textures, intentional lines. A visual language that matched the architecture of the home instead of competing with it. The pool returned—but not as it was. Now it was sharp, modern, and inviting. A long, clean body of water with a shallow tanning ledge that catches the sun just right. Stainless steel scuppers arc water into the pool—movement, sound, life. Steps are crisp, geometry is balanced, and the water reflects clarity instead of neglect. Around it, the yard found purpose. Artificial turf introduced contrast—green, controlled, low-maintenance. A pergola structure rose in the corner, creating a destination within the destination. Beneath it, a built-in outdoor kitchen turned the backyard into a place to gather, not just pass through. Lighting stitched everything together, making the space just as alive at dusk as it is under the midday sun. By the end, nothing felt accidental. What was once forgotten is now deliberate. What was once avoided is now the center of attention. Fifteen years later, the backyard didn’t just come back—it finally became what it was always supposed to be.

A home garden done well should be an oasis away from the world. This backyard space is exactly that - a beautiful, escape from the business of life. Bobby, our designer, used irregular bluestone to create a patio space and pathways that lead through the gardens and around the home. Beneath that fantastic red maple is a perennial garden filled with hostas, ferns, sedum and more - all favorites of the home owner. Just across the path, Bobby used an urn to add height and planted a selection of annual flowers for a season-long pop of color. The hydrangea tree adds a wonderful contrast with its creamy blooms and is surrounded by a mixture of perennials including fall-blooming sedum. Come dusk? Lights pop on to light the pathways and add even more charm to this wonderful garden getaway.

To help make this family room in Wexford more functional and cohesive, we added new custom built-in storage around the brick fireplace. On the left side, an existing built-in was situated in between the fireplace and a small closet, which also contained a sink. We started by peeling away these elements to create a larger space. Adding symmetry to the room, we designed new cabinetry which included a mix of hidden and open shelf storage. Behind full-height pocketing doors on the left, a new wet bar with a tiled backsplash and quartz countertop. On the right, another set of pocketing doors conceals three large drawers, plus overflow toy storage for the adjacent playroom. Immediately flanking the fireplace, bookshelves provide a space to display favorite items with even more storage beneath. To balance the room’s rich wood tones and multi-tonal red brick, we helped the clients select a neutral color palette to make the space feel more relaxed. Complimentary colors and textures are added through the playful wallpaper lining the back of the shelves, and hexagon backsplash tile. A stylish new fireplace faceplate, gallery lighting, and cabinet hardware — each in a dark metal finish — help to tie everything together.

The walls of the owners' study are lined with bookcases on three sides. There is even a hidden bookcase door that leads to a tiny 'secret room' beneath the exterior stairs (not shown). The desk looks out to the meadow and mountains. Photo by V. Wooster

Losing large specimen trees is never desirable. But when the unimaginable happens, we are presented with an opportunity to rethink and refresh, even in traditional residential settings. We replaced the lawn area beneath the remaining London plane with a fine fescue seed mix. Our design strategy was to hold space and create immediate impact while reducing maintenance needs as the landscape matured. Into this base, we planted evergreen basal foliage, long bloomers and early spring/late fall color to create an immersive all-season groundcover that will slowly intermingle. Annually, this low mow is cut no lower than 4” (thereby safeguarding habitat) while the tidily trimmed perimeter utilizes remnant turf grass as visible cues to care. Dissecting the rectilinear green space, permeable hardscaping offers a gently curved path towards the front entryway; an invitation to pause and observe the landscape’s diverse textures and activity up close. Within which, a legacy planting of new specimen trees. Traditional shrub heavy foundation plantings are often static and rigid; this perennial rich redesign is structured yet airy to retain design cohesion with the naturalistic stylized meadow and offer vibrant textural all-season interest. This project blends different landscape styles to create a biodiverse habitat that is ecologically beneficial, beautiful and resilient. In high summer, a doe finds refuge for her fawn while the family’s children delight in the buzzing activity of smaller inhabitants, native bees and assorted pollinators, that now call this habitat home.

Losing large specimen trees is never desirable. But when the unimaginable happens, we are presented with an opportunity to rethink and refresh, even in traditional residential settings. We replaced the lawn area beneath the remaining London plane with a fine fescue seed mix. Our design strategy was to hold space and create immediate impact while reducing maintenance needs as the landscape matured. Into this base, we planted evergreen basal foliage, long bloomers and early spring/late fall color to create an immersive all-season groundcover that will slowly intermingle. Annually, this low mow is cut no lower than 4” (thereby safeguarding habitat) while the tidily trimmed perimeter utilizes remnant turf grass as visible cues to care. Dissecting the rectilinear green space, permeable hardscaping offers a gently curved path towards the front entryway; an invitation to pause and observe the landscape’s diverse textures and activity up close. Within which, a legacy planting of new specimen trees. Traditional shrub heavy foundation plantings are often static and rigid; this perennial rich redesign is structured yet airy to retain design cohesion with the naturalistic stylized meadow and offer vibrant textural all-season interest. This project blends different landscape styles to create a biodiverse habitat that is ecologically beneficial, beautiful and resilient. In high summer, a doe finds refuge for her fawn while the family’s children delight in the buzzing activity of smaller inhabitants, native bees and assorted pollinators, that now call this habitat home.

These clients are your typical, plant-loving millennials who, slowly and on a budget, are bringing a unique vision for their home to life. Color, while important to every homeowner, was clearly important to these homeowners. With one homeowner being an artist with an affinity for pink, the couple went through a gamut of cabinet color options including olive, teal, navy, and mustard. Assisted by interior designer Erinn Farrell, they landed on a custom paint color – Benjamin Moore’s Evening Blue – for the cabinetry, complemented by clear Alder in a natural stain. The retro, Mid-Mod Squares tile backsplash in custom colors from Mercury Mosaics gives a nod to the original style of the home built in the 1950's. The overall layout of the kitchen didn't change much, but the pantry and baking center on the refrigerator wall are new features that provide much needed storage. The main living area, however, did go through some major changes. The wall separating the kitchen and dining room came down, and the small doorway connecting the dining and living rooms was transformed into a larger arch. The original wood floors (found beneath not one, but two layers of linoleum) received a fresh stain. The homeowners also knocked down the wall that sectioned off the stairs and built a slatted wood partition themselves. It was originally going to be a reeded wall, but they added the boxes for extra support, giving it more character in the end. At Revival House we love a unique, bold project. However, the fact that these clients love the new kitchen and can’t believe they get to use it every day is the best compliment!

Fond memories and classic charm guide the design for a modern family home in Old Palo Alto Even in future-oriented Silicon Valley, there are enclaves like Old Palo Alto, where time has stood still a little longer. The clients, a family of four, were drawn to the casual charm of the community, particularly the rambling landscape of a rare half-acre lot near Gamble Garden where they could build a warm and welcoming home suited to their relaxed style of living and entertaining. The two-tone gray shingle style abode features a broad front porch for taking in the afternoon breezes and greeting children as they return from school. Beneath a center gable, the sunny yellow Dutch door ushers in all who enter with a very warm welcome. Inside, bespoke details are the result of genuine collaboration between the clients and FGA. Soft ivory plaster walls, chestnut floors, and cedar-inlay ceilings frame rooms filled with custom milled built-ins like library shelves, writing desks, and window seats. Handsome wainscoting, whimsical railings, and colorful tiles are among the unique elements that wrap rooms in comfort and elicit a sense of nostalgia for the homeowners. Storybook stone fireplaces recall time spent in Carmel while hand-hewn half-round beams are inspired by vacations in New Mexico. The living room picture window is a heartfelt reminder of childhood memories made at grandmother’s house. All first-floor rooms offer immediate access to outdoor living areas including the large stone patio, lounge, and pool. This seamless extension to the vintage farm-like grounds and lush gardens signifies the authentic spirit of California’s al fresco lifestyle.

This undermount laundry sink beneath a generous window makes even hand-washing delicates a delight!
Example of a large trendy galley porcelain tile and gray floor dedicated laundry room design in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, white backsplash, white walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and white countertops

Imbued with color inspiration from the 1930’s, the massive style capacity of this home is demonstrated over 15 years of artful adaptation in the living and dining rooms. An analogous color scheme with prominent aqua and green tones popular in the 1930’s first graces the living room to creatively infuse a traditional French style. Bergère chairs flank the large focal fireplace with its classical use of stone and versatile dentil trim molding. Coordinating colors in boldly-striped silk shantung bring the acanthus leaf chandelier comfortably into the 20thcentury; only to be jettisoned even further with the room’s next iteration. Still with a nod to the 1930’s color palette, bolder tones of orange and rose with smaller stripes later reinvent the saber legged dining room chairs to skillfully incorporate smoky hues on the walls. Sketchy floral print drapery revises the room by bringing a joyful eclecticism, ever expanding the potential of the space to bring in new influences. A curved back chair reminiscent of the 1930’s set beneath decidedly 20th century artwork; further showcasing the room’s latest use of more streamlined forms. The more transitional upholstered chairs and ottoman craftily unify a more diverse portfolio of furnishings and artwork, as does the continuation of deep tones in thought both spaces. Invigorated once again with a third look, the living and dining areas are dramatically transformed with a backdrop of soft neutral punctuated by juicy pops of color introduce a new sense of depth and character to the space. Articulated beautifully in the artwork, colors keep the eyes dancing and creativity flowing yet they allow the space to also nurture relaxation and calm. A bold statement on the windows maintains the necessary balance in the dining room for its chandelier; miraculously staying right at home with each redesign. The familiar is successfully re-imagined to prove once again that the perennial beauty of a well-crafted home, furnishings and accessories can be made to embody our unique sense of style at every stage of our lives.

Weathered Antique Flooring, Paneling, and Timbers come together on this open loft walkway, layering reclaimed wood across the floor, walls, and ceiling for a warm, cohesive feel beneath a dramatic wall of windows. Each element carries the same reddish brown tones and natural patina that only comes from decades of aging, tying the entire space together. Sourced directly from a 19th or early 20th century barn, this Weathered Antique wood retains its unique sawn faces and naturally aged character even after more than a hundred years. At Manomin Resawn Timbers, every plank, panel, and timber goes through a detailed process of denailing, kiln drying, and precision milling, preserving that antique charm while preparing the wood for a beautiful, functional place in a modern home. Whether you are a homebuilder, a home remodeling contractor, or a homeowner looking to bring reclaimed wood flooring, paneling, or timbers into a hallway, loft, or any living space, Manomin Resawn Timbers has been helping people discover the antique charm of reclaimed wood since 2002. Visit our showroom in Hugo, MN or reach out to us with a call or a message to get started.

This is an example of a small eclectic stone landscaping in San Francisco.

MERZOUGA BioClimatic pergola with mobile blades results from the adjustable and remote-controlled opening. Through their opening action, the portable blades make it easier for air to circulate and heat to escape. As a result, a fresher air flow dynamic is established beneath the MERZOUGA BioClimatic pergola, providing comfort despite the outdoor heat. This significant benefit of the MERZOUGA BioClimatic pergola keeps the space from turning into an oven in high summer or mid-season, as is typical of a veranda or conservatory. This means that you can continue to take advantage of your terrace even when it’s extremely hot outside. MERZOUGA BioClimatic pergola is an extra living space, modular and usable all year long. It provides comfort, a place to entertain, and a boost to the value of your home. The roof of a MERZOUGA BioClimatic, composed of mobile blades, can be closed hermetically to protect it from the rain. MERZOUGA BioClimatic pergola can be customized with equipment such as infrared heating and practical or ambient lighting modules.As they are realized with recyclable materials at 98%, which offer a natural circulation and avoid the greenhouse effect, the MERZOUGA BioClimatic pergola aim to limit the impact on the environment the most possible. Aluminum is a sustainable and recyclable component.

Final Design Revision - Floor Plan/Aerial view A two-level pergola, circular firepit area and outdoor kitchen with a charcoal-gas combo grill star in this Houston patio addition designed for entertaining large crowds in style. "The client was an attorney with a passion for cooking and entertaining," says the project's principal designer, Lisha Maxey of LGH Designs. "Her main objective with this space was to create a large area for 10 to 20 guests, including seating and the prep and cooking of meals." Located in the backyard of the client's home in Spring, TX, this beautiful outdoor living and entertaining space includes a 28-by-12-foot patio with Fantastico silver travertine tile flooring, arranged in a Versailles pattern. The walkway is Oklahoma wister flagstone. Providing filtered shade for the patio is a two-level pergola of treated pine stained honey gold. The larger, higher tier is about 18 by 10 feet; the smaller, lower tier is about 10 feet square. "We covered the entire pergola with Lexan - a high-quality, clear acrylic sheet that provides protection from the sun, heat and rain," says Outdoor Homescapes of Houston owner Wayne Franks. Beneath the lower tier of the pergola sits an L-shaped, 12-by-9-foot outdoor kitchen island faced with Carmel Country ledgestone. The island houses a Fire Magic® combination charcoal-gas grill and lowered power burner, a Pacific Living countertop pizza oven and a stainless steel RCS trash drawer and sink. The countertops and raised bar are Fantastico silver travertine (18-square-inch tiles) and the backsplash is real quartz. "The most unique design item of this kitchen area is the hexagon/circular table we added to the end of the long bar," says Lisha. This enabled the client to add seating for her dining guests." Under the higher, larger tier of the pergola is a seating area, made up of a coffee table and espresso-colored rattan sofa and club chairs with spring-green-and-white cushions. "Lighting also plays an important role in this space, since the client often entertains in the evening," says Wayne. Enter the chandelier over the patio seating arrangement and - over the outdoor kitchen - pendant lamps and an industrial-modern ceiling fan with a light fixture in the center. "It's important to layer your lighting for ambiance, security and safety - from an all-over ambient light that fills the space to under-the-counter task lighting for food prep and cooking to path and retaining wall lighting." Off the patio is a transition area of crushed granite and floating flagstone pavers, leading to a circular firepit area of stamped concrete. At the center of this circle is the standalone firepit, framed at the back by a curved stone bench. The walls of the bench and column bases for the pergola, by the way, are the same ledgestone as the kitchen island. The top slab on the bench is a hearth piece of manmade stone. "I think the finish materials blend with the home really well," says Wayne. "We met her objectives of being able to entertain with 10 to 12 to 20 people at one time and being able to cook with charcoal and gas separately in one unit. And of course, the project was on time, on budget." "It is truly a paradise," says the client in her Houzz review of the project. "They listened to my vision and incorporated their expertise to create an outdoor living space just perfect for me and my family!"

For this Denver couple, we started by completely re-stuccoing their home and adding cedar detailing to warm up the façade. Arroyo Craftsmen’s architectural lighting and round bronze downspouts added some very classy detailing to the work. Custom cedar fencing created a beautifully private enclosure for their firepit patio. We imported a Solus Décor firepit from Canada for the project. The seat wall surrounding the patio was veneered with tumbled San Miguel stone and capped with Arizona Buff flagstone. Subtle wall lighting was installed beneath the wall cap to create a warm ambiance for evening enjoyment. Decorative flowerpots with built-in irrigation and drainage systems were strategically placed on our clients’ sand finish concrete patio. We redesigned our client’s bedroom balcony and used Rustica Slate to tile a pedestal decking system. To complete the overall project, we brought in a matching pair of Red Jewell Crabapples. We filled out the rest of the landscaping with Blue Giant Hosta, Rheinland Astilbe, Jack Frost Brunnera, Blue Cranesbill, and evergreen Autumn Fern.

When a professional office space needs to make a lasting impression on clients and create an inspiring environment for staff, the design details matter just as much as they do at home. This thoughtful commercial interior refresh transformed a dated, purely functional office into a warm, sophisticated, and beautifully layered space — one that feels more like a high-end boutique or luxury residence than a typical workplace. The guiding philosophy throughout was clear: every space, no matter how utilitarian its purpose, deserves intentional design. From the reception corridor to the staff break room, from the client restrooms to the storage corridor, each area received careful attention to finish, color, and texture. Restrooms Reimagined The two client-facing restrooms were the most dramatic transformations in the project. Rather than the builder-grade wallpaper and basic fixtures typically found in commercial spaces, both were treated as true design moments. The first features floor-to-ceiling wallpaper in a rich taupe with a delicate white botanical branch pattern, creating an immersive, jewel-box feel. A white shaker vanity with dark granite countertop grounds the space, while an arched frameless mirror and brushed gold wall sconce add glamour. A tall gold and glass etagere serves as both decorative storage and a sculptural element, styled with woven baskets, greenery, and stacked accessories. Framed landscape watercolor art adds a serene, organic note, and a freestanding brass toilet paper holder elevates a typically overlooked detail. The second restroom takes an entirely different but equally compelling direction — soft, dusty blue-grey grasscloth-style wallpaper printed with a tone-on-tone chevron leaf stripe wraps every wall, creating a calm, spa-like atmosphere. A weathered wood console provides casual charm beneath a large-scale botanical tulip artwork in sage and cream. The wall-mount sink with exposed plumbing adds an intentional, editorial touch. An arched mirror with a sleek multi-bulb bar sconce in brushed nickel completes the look, while a pair of sculptural brass branch wall sculptures mounted directly to the wallpaper serve as unexpected, memorable art. Storage Made Beautiful The internal storage corridor received a full wall of custom floor-to-ceiling white shaker cabinetry with chrome pulls, flanked by open shelving sections for accessible display and storage. Clean, crisp, and highly organized — this space proves that even a purely functional corridor can be architectural and refined. The Break Room & Kitchenette The staff break room was updated with white shaker cabinetry, light speckled granite countertops, stainless appliances — including a French door refrigerator, dishwasher, and over-counter microwave — and warm sage green walls that bring a restful, refreshing energy to the space. Dark hardwood luxury vinyl plank flooring runs throughout the room, warming the look considerably. A round walnut dining table with upholstered chairs creates a proper gathering space for the team, and framed landscape oil art in an ornate gold frame adds a touch of collected character to the room. Reception & Corridor Details The reception and corridor spaces were treated with deep navy blue paint — bold, sophisticated, and unexpected in a commercial setting. A large abstract landscape painting in warm blues, blush, and gold hangs in a gilded frame against the navy wall, making an immediate statement. A brass and lucite table lamp sits on a floating brass-trimmed shelf alongside a sculptural art object, creating a vignette that communicates creativity and intentionality from the moment clients arrive. The result is a professional environment that communicates confidence, taste, and care — one that clients will remember long after their visit, and one that staff will genuinely enjoy working in every day.

Location: Cohasset, MA, USA When my clients purchased this historic house, they saw that this garden held great potential, even though the property had been somewhat neglected. They wanted the new landscape to evoke the feeling of an Olde Maine house that time had forgotten. Sitting on the front veranda in the shade of the treasured Horse Chestnut and Maple trees that flank each side of the house, we explored the possibilities together. The front yard sloped a bit too much for comfort, so we determined that building a stone wall in the middle would create a terrace, making both parts of the lawn more usable. Visions of parties and children's weddings came to mind. We put a set of elegant arching steps in the middle, leading down to the sunken garden. Large, mature Rhododendrons were planted at the base of the Horse Chestnut and Maple trees just off the front veranda. Boxwoods undulate beneath the trees with Vinca as a ground cover. Ticonderoga stone was used for the walls and steps, which was the closest match to the existing stone foundation. The exquisite masonry by Doug Brooks Masonry makes this staircase as elegant as a tiered wedding cake. A riot of perennials offer a beautiful foreground to the views of the harbor.