Posh, yet practical, these attractive hose pots enrich the yard and garden with their style and charm. A handsome hiding spot for up to 150 feet of unruly garden hose, each pot is handmade using Old World techniques with modern innovation to create an attractive and practical outdoor accent. A raised interior base helps guide the hose within the container, while multiple drainage holes eliminate excess water. An ample side hole allows the hose to be easily connected to an outdoor faucet. These versatile containers can also be used as graceful planters, firewood containers, or impressive drink buckets sure to strike up conversation.

Today’s skyscrapers do not accommodate ever-changing uses, health, and energy crisis. onE.GLobe proposes organically grown, flexible, and scalable live-work-play structures which can adapt to any condition. Stress increases the risk of chronic diseases, the leading cause of death and disability with around 75% (Source 1a, 1b). Improving human health through a thoughtfully designed environment is as important as energy conservation and carbon sequestration. We can also address all three goals with similar solutions, such as allocating large green areas, water features, and diverse uses in proximity. Nature makes people happier and healthier, and it also absorbs stormwater and can be used for renewable energy production. Therefore, we can achieve resiliency for both environment and society easily together. Amoeba Fusion aims to empower societies by providing a space for decentralized, innovative start-up communities. onE.GLobe considers the built environment a living, breathing, multiplying organism, evolving in nature with harmony. The structure can grow horizontally and vertically by adding new cores in different directions per each site condition. It creates public plazas shaded and shielded by the building as it grows. Fully self-sufficient structure houses flexible 3D printed dwellings and workspaces surrounded by semi-open garden spaces and atrium. Thirty feet deep floor plates receive daylight from the exterior and atrium and can conveniently be used as open-plan office space. Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems are distributed through modular floor plates, on which 3D printed modules are flexibly plugged in. 3D printed inflatable shells with indoor air cleaning plants house a plug-in kitchen, bedroom, workspace, and bathroom modules. The bridge-connected clusters have decentralized systems with the off-grid micro-grid integrating renewable energy sources and excess energy storage. Compact layouts provide space for an increasing number of entrepreneurs, making them socialize and inspire near their accommodation. Eliminating corridors in dwelling units with an efficient design and replacing them with the garden space surrounding units achieve this endeavor. Amoeba Fusion New York is located at a General Commercial Zoning district in NYC with residential and commercial uses. The site currently accommodates six towers. This project explores a more resilient design solution for an innovative, diverse community for the post-pandemic world. Located in the Lincoln Square neighborhood in Manhattan, bordering Hell’s Kitchen with countless restaurants, the site is close to various public transportation, universities, cultural spaces, and businesses, making it ideal for an innovative, creative crowd. Mixed-use commercial and residential buildings are allowed with a floor area bonus of 20% with a public plaza. With tower regulation, there is no minimum lot coverage requirement, and no rule regarding the distribution of floor area allows the tallest buildings in the city. There are plenty of luxury residential buildings in New York City, but they don’t serve innovative young people and entrepreneurs. Co-living buildings do not provide proper workspaces within the facility. For these reasons, onE.GLobe aims to investigate ways to design long-term live-work-play environments for innovative young people and ease the effects of the future pandemics with its efficient, flexible dwelling units and workspaces surrounded by semi-open garden spaces, atrium, rooftops, public plazas, and wet ponds.

Example of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped ceramic tile open concept kitchen design in Ottawa with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, multicolored backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, granite countertops and stone tile backsplash

Since 1985, the Lake Forest Auxiliary Chapter of the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago has hosted a nationally recognized designer Showhouse and Gardens to benefit the Angel Harvey Family Health Center of the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago, which provides healthcare to Chicago’s medically underserved. Since its inception, the Lake Forest Showhouse has raised in excess of $4 million for the deserving cause. This year, more than 30 interior and landscape designers, including honorary chair Paloma Contreras, transformed the 23-room, 11,000-square-foot east Lake Forest Pullman property into a showstopping tribute to the latest in design and décor.

The rear porch is huge, measures in excess of 17’ x 14’, is covered and has an outdoor kitchen area; perfect for outdoor family fun and cook-outs.
Craftsman exterior home idea in Atlanta

This Ceramic Tiled kitchen floor at a property in Wickersley was proving to be a pain for our clients, whatever they did the grout just looked dark, dirty, and unsightly. No amount of scrubbing would make a difference and eager to find a solution they wasted a lot of money on various products trying to clean the grout lines, but nothing had worked. Ceramic tiles are glazed which makes them very easy to clean, grout however is a different story. Wickersley is in Rotherham close to the 3 main motorways in South Yorkshire, the M1, M18 and A1. The village took its’ name from the Wickersley family who eventually moved to Sheffield and built the famous Broom Hall, incredibly we restored 100sqm of stone flooring in that very house not too long back. It was a beautiful restoration. On the first visit we tried a few of our products to clean the grout lines up but sometimes grout just can’t be cleaned, if the staining has penetrated the surface layer and gone right down into the grout it is stained forever. Grinding the grout out and putting in new grout is a big messy expensive job. For this reason, our grout recolouring service is an ideal option and the best thing about it is once it is recoloured the grout is protected and stain resistant. Tile Doctor have a range of ten grout colours to choose from and in this case our client chose the light grey colour. They were happy to go ahead with our quote and just thankful that we were able to do it relatively inexpensively and without making a huge mess! Work started by treating the grout lines with an acidic pre-treater that comes with the Grout Colourant kit that Tile Doctor sell, Tile Doctor Grout Colourant Pre-Treat cleaner, this gets rid of any contamination and prepares the grout for the colourant, so you get a superior bond. Once dry the Light Grey Grout Colourant was applied the grout lines with a small brush. A steady hand is required, and you need to ensure any excess is immediately wiped away before it dries. It is quite a slow job, but very satisfying when you see the difference it makes. Glazed tiles are sealed during manufacture, so we do not need to apply a sealer like we do on most of our jobs. The customer was over the moon with the transformation, the grubby grout lines had been irradicated and because the grout colourant forms a barrier over the grout, they will remain looking good for a long time to come. For aftercare cleaning I recommended using Tile Doctor Neutral Tile Cleaner which is pH neutral and gentle enough to use on a regular basis, it also has a nice fresh smell. Matthew Lovett South Yorkshire TIle Doctor

Prior to the remodel this home was 100% original and left to age while the homeowner moved on. Our clients are the second homeowner to the home, and we helped to keep the original feeling of the home as well as worked to reuse the original St. Charles steel cabinets where possible. The clients found a second steel cabinet kitchen out of state with taller upper cabinets than the original and with a lift of the original soffit we were able to combine the original and additional cabinets to create a wonderful and more functional Kitchen. Each cabinet was relocated, painted, and reinstalled. It’s hard to imagine that the Kitchen previously featured terra cotta painted cabinets with a pink countertop and backsplash 4×4 tile. The lighting, windows, and many other design details are still original throughout the home. As the home has many interesting minor angles – we had the flooring installed on an angle of its own to add a wonderful detail and not fight with the other angles within. In the Mudroom entry near the Garage we purposefully organized several of the excess cabinets which allowed for additional storage. The terra cotta cabinet color reflected the original cabinet color in the Kitchen.

S.B. HOUSE – Ambience Residence is a luxury home designed for quiet living and sensory balance. With warm tones, tactile surfaces, and soft natural lighting, each space invites calm attention and emotional ease. Its flowing layout supports both intimacy and openness—crafted for those who value elegance without excess.

Warm wood and cold glass don't always work well together, but here they do. This white oak staircase pairs naturally grained treads with a sleek glass balustrade anchored by bold black metal posts, a combination that feels considered rather than contrived. The wrap-around starting steps ease the entry, softening what could have been a hard geometric statement into something more welcoming. Overhead, a statement lighting installation pulls the eye upward, casting a warm glow that works with the oak rather than against it. Clean lines throughout, nothing excessive. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Terren Landscapes http://www.terrenlandscapes.com Project Entry: Pembrooke Estate Rain Garden 2014 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner Category: Sustainable Landscape &60,000-$120,000 Award Level: Silver Project Description: The client contracted our company to solve multiple existing drainage problems. In a heavy rain event the existing French drain system would overflow, causing water to pool in the driveway. After investigating the system we found that the capacity of the French drain was undersized for the amount of storm water from the large rain events received in recent years. As a result of our findings and at the request of the homeowner, we designed a storm water management system to capture all storm water from the structures on the property and regenerate the underground aquifers for the volume of a 5.8” rainstorm. In addition to the new drain system, the homeowners wanted a rain garden to provide a backdrop for an existing formal garden, provide a habitat for wildlife, and provide screening from an adjacent neighbor. Throughout the design process many challenges were presented, including an existing gas line, which ran directly through the area that best suited the bioswale. The existence of the gas line caused us to alter the shape and depth of the bioswale in some areas. We also inspected the existing downspouts to make sure there were no obstructions that would impede the system’s efficiency, and then conducted a test pit dig to make sure we had sufficient percolation rates for disposal of storm water. To effectively capture the storm water runoff, the existing downspouts were piped from the main house and the large detached garage to a large catch basin located at the low point in the driveway. The driveway catch basin contains two outlet pipes at different elevations within the basin allowing water from smaller rain events to enter the bioswale and rain garden area to percolate into the soil before excess water overflows into a sediment trap which filters out any debris and is then piped to an underground StormTech® pit to slowly percolate into the ground. The other outlet pipe in the driveway catch basin is used for larger storm water events, taking the water directly to the StormTech® pit. Accepting and slowing the velocity of the storm water, mitigation of erosion, and filtering out pollutants contained in the “first flush” of rainfall are the primary functions of the bioswale and rain garden. Planting these areas with mostly native plant species helps carry out these functions while attracting and providing shelter for wildlife. The ‘Niobe’ weeping willow is the centerpiece of the rain garden, connecting with the axis of the existing formal garden. To screen the neighboring property we chose Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ‘Pendula’ for its graceful evergreen habit and tolerance of wet sites. ‘Ivory Halo’ dogwood and Panicum ‘Cloud Nine’ were used for screening as well as winter interest. To provide deciduous structure to the garden Taxodium distichum and Magnolia virginiana were used in conjunction with witch hazel. Mostly native wetland perennials were used due to their tolerance of wet conditions and occasional drought. The area above the StormTech® pit provides space for the client’s family to relax. The rain garden and bioswale provide screening, storm water management, a habitat for wildlife, and plants that enhance the adjacent formal garden. Photo Credit: Terren Landscapes

Deck extension from original house. With a focus on their passions of beekeeping and herb gardening, this retired couple saw potential in this rural home they bought in 2013. They asked us for suggestions on how best to enclose and expand a breezeway from the home to the garage to include two stories, add a room over the garage, and nearly double the size of the kitchen. The lowered “biscuit counter” in the island is an ideal height for rolling out dough and getting help from the grandkids. Pantry access is through a screen door. Load-bearing walls were removed, the stairway was reconstructed, the previous breezeway was transformed into a small bathroom and a mud/laundry space. Above that was added another small bathroom, an herb prep room, complete with a stove, double sink and small fridge, plus another bedroom. Exterior drainage issues also needed attention, so we dug out along the back of the home, added French drains to evacuate the excess water, plus and a small, rock retaining wall.

I recently visited a client living in the market town of Woodstock in Oxfordshire to rejuvenate a fantastic multi-coloured Slate floor that had been hidden under several years’ worth of dirt in their kitchen. Slate is a typically hard-wearing tile used for flooring high traffic areas of houses and public buildings but does need sealing to bring out its best features and in this case the sealer had long since worn off and dirt had become ingrained in the stone. My first task in the cleaning process was to mix a strong solution of Tile Doctor Pro-Clean, which is a strong alkaline cleaner safe to use on Tile and Stone, and NanoTech HBU (Heavy Build-up Remover), which is a particularly powerful product that uses nano-sized particles to tackle muck in areas of the stone where typical cleaners simply can’t reach. I spread this solution across the floor and left it to seep into the stone, to get underneath and lift out the ingrained dirt. After allowing the solution adequate time to dwell, I scrubbed the floor with a carbon brush to gradually reveal the fantastic natural colours of the Slate hidden beneath. Following this, I rinsed the entire floor several times with clean water, before soaking up the resulting soiled residue with a wet vacuum. The next part of the cleaning process entailed paying particular attention to the grout lines. I used Tile Doctor Grout Clean-Up to scrub the grout lines and also to treat a small amount of efflorescence. The resulting residue was promptly extracted with the wet vacuum and I finished by giving the whole floor a rinse with Tile Doctor pH Neutral Tile Cleaner. This is a day to day tile cleaning product which is recommended for stone floors, many supermarket tile cleaning products are only suitable for ceramic tiles due to their acidic formula and can damage a floor over years of use so you should always read the label. I then left the floor to dry completely overnight. On day two, the Slate tiled floor was dry and ready to seal. The floor had to be completely dry, as any excess moisture has the potential to the damage the performance of the sealer. Since my client had specifically requested a matte finish, I opted to use Tile Doctor Colour Grow. Colour Grow is an impregnating sealer that provides durable surface protection from within while also enhancing all of the natural mineral shades. My client was very pleased with the results, particularly as they hadn’t realised they had such a great looking floor in their house when they had first purchased it! Barry Woodward Oxfordshire Tile Doctor

Living areas engage an inviting terrace and built-in planter defined by a stone-faced retaining wall. Passive features include a continuous foam wrap on all six faces of the exterior envelope, uninterrupted even beneath floor slabs. Roof-ceiling assemblies at R-76 and wall assemblies at R-32 are well in excess of code required insulation values. Sun studies conducted on a 3D model throughout the day at multiple times of the year determined the length of shading overhangs and types of glazing needed to enhance and control heat gain during both heating and cooling seasons.

The customers loved our R-Blade modern pergola design that could match the architecture of the mansion. These automated louvered roof systems allow for better climate management while also offering natural ventilation. This is all due to the in-built sensor system that detects the weather in real-time and reacts accordingly. For example, the rain sensors automatically close the blades, while the wind sensors find the perfect setting in case of strong winds to keep you and your guests comfortable. This was the perfect solution for this Palm Beach county mansion in Bear’s Club, Jupiter, FL, with its 800 sq. ft. space that boasts of wooden floors, a recording studio, dedicated game room, and other features. The challenges of louvered pergola design for this project Working on this special project with very exacting requirements was a very exciting challenge. 1- Three zones with different heights This modern pergola design covers three zones with different heights – a living area, dining area, and an outdoor kitchen. Additionally, the customer wanted elaborate outdoor seating with no more than 8 spot beams, 16 LED lights, and a unique drainage system that had to be tied into the pipe under the gradient. 2 – Re-engineer our gutter system that prevents leakage A super gutter was attached to the upper beam taking water from the main roof down a separate post, resulting in a neat design that’s perfect for this luxury mansion. The customer also required a fully functional outdoor kitchen where practicality, technology, and aesthetics could provide a contemporary feel to the environment. Our bio-climactic pergola served as a perfect design feature for meeting all these needs – while also sheltering from atmospheric agents. We designed the modern pergola with our sturdy and functional technology that provides a well-engineered solution to safeguard the deck from heavy rain and sunlight. This provides our customers with a beautiful and comfortable space to entertain friends and family members with a spectacular view. Outside features and Azenco’s solutions All in all, we had to create an indoor-outdoor living room for this Bear’s Club mansion. The luxury pergola had to match high standards and stand out from the rest of the architecture. That’s why it was crafted in solid mahogany. Before its renovation, this was just the huge yard with a pool. But now, it’s the perfect indoor-outdoor area with casual rattan furniture and a tridimensional automated pergola that brings out the latest technology in home automation. The large cooking area is spacious enough to accommodate a barbecue. But as chic and elegant as it looks, it can be super hard to maintain an outdoor kitchen since it is easily exposed by atmospheric agents. However, the bio-climactic pergola offers it much-needed protection as it safeguards all your appliances, surfaces, and cooking items from excess heat and winds.

No excess processing, keeping the naturally occurred elements in jute fibers to create beautifully layered effects while the sunlight streaming through.

To solve this Irving homeowner's drainage issues, Archadeck removed the gravel and flagstone and first installed a gravity French system consisting of 6-inch PVC pipes and ten catch basins. This portion of the project extended out 200-feet. We also installed nine downspout connectors to the six-inch PVC pipes. This system allows gravity to divert the excess water from the area.

Recently I travelled down to the village of Prestwood in the Chiltern Hills of southern Buckinghamshire, to work on a Victorian tiled porch and hallway. Victorian tiles are commonly found in the entrance areas of older houses and unfortunately in this case the tiles had become heavily ingrained with dirt over time, and had suffered from additional paint and plaster spillages. The result was an unsightly mess; my client was considering covering the floor with lino after several unsuccessful attempts at cleaning it. I was called upon to provide a professional clean and seal, restoring these great Victorian tiles back to looking their best again. On my first day at the house, I mixed up a solution of 50 per cent Tile Doctor Pro-Clean, a high alkaline cleaner, and NanoTech HBU (formerly known as Ultra Clean), which is a cleaning product that contains nano-sized abrasive particles that penetrate deep into the stone to lift ingrained dirt to the surface. This solution was worked into the tiles using abrasive scrubbing pads fitted to one of my commercial rotary machines. The cleaning process left over a slurry of residue which I rinsed away with clean water and extracted with a wet vacuum. I was still left with the issue of stubborn paint spillages, so I applied a layer of Tile Doctor Remove & Go, a stripper with cleaning properties which is very effective at breaking down paint and adhesive stains. Once the paint spillages had been dealt with I gave the area another rinse with clean water. I then left the house, allowing the floor enough time to dry overnight. Upon my return the day I set about sealing the newly cleaned Victorian tiles. Before starting the sealing process I inspected the floor to check for any dampness, knowing that any excess moisture could potentially damage the performance of the sealer. When I was satisfied that the tiles were fully dried, I applied Tile Doctor Seal & Go, a sealer which offers durable surface protection, along with an aesthetically pleasing, low-sheen finish which brings out the colour in the stone. This product can be used to seal internal, porous surfaces including Victorian, Slate, textured Quarry and Sandstone tiles. The process made an amazing difference to the floor as you can see from the photographs; additionally the restoration of such an original feature adds a lot of value and looks so much better than lino! Colin Ford South Buckinghamshire Tile Doctor

We created an almost crystalline form that reflected the push and pull of the most important factors on the site: views directly to the NNW, an approach from the ESE, and of course, sun from direct south. To keep the size modest, we peeled away the excess spaces and scaled down any rooms that desired intimacy (the bedrooms) or did not require height (the pool room). Photographer credit: Irvin Serrano

"Expect the Unexpected" is a theme that is tastefully carried throughout this home. The Master Bath's free-standing vanity island allows you to enjoy tree-top views through its 4 architectural windows as you prepare for the day! The wall of solid wood custom cabinetry has the same "auto-close" drawer system and eliminates the need for excess furniture.