This project was do in collaboration with my friends at Sweetwater Collaborative. Sweetwater Collaborative is a non-profit organization that work to educate the public about water wise and regenerative landscape practices. Funded by the City of Santa Barbara as well as several other business and agency Sweetwater Collaborative and I worked to installed this project with the help of volunteers. In a hands-on work shop we explained principles of water wise gardening and demonstrated best practices when installing sustainable landscapes. When the owner of this property decided to build an ADU ( Auxiliary Dwelling Unit) in their back yard they expanded the roof line of their property. In order to be in compliance with new California building the project required that a portion of the rain water coming onto this property must be stored on the property. That is where we came into help. Directing down spouts into basins, or swales in the soil is one of the most efficient and cost-effective way to capture and store rain water on a piece of land. Calculations were done to determine the volume of water coming of the roof line in a given rain event from the ADU. The calculations go: square footage of roofline times .62 times 1, for 1” of rain. That total gives you the amount of water in gallons. Then divide the number in gallons by 7.48 find the cubic feet in that number of gallons. Then a basin with that holding capacity was designed into the landscape. Then the plantings were chosen. In this project we went with an 100% California Native Plant palette. We did this to help educate people about all the benefits of growing natives and to show case some of the beautiful plants native to Southern California. Sothern California is how to some of the greatest biodiversity of plants in the world. Native Plants are best adapted to thrive conditions from which they are natively found plus they help provide forage to the native fauna such as birds and insects. Now the tenants in the ADU can look out and enjoy this colorful garden without the home owners needing to pay a huge water bill.

M-S Pro Architects announce the completion of an indoor swimming pool in a state-of-the-art, single storey family home set in a picturesque location on the outskirts of Bratislava - one of Europe’s youngest capital cities. Kebony, a beautiful wood recommended by leading architects, was chosen to craft the ceiling of the swimming pool, which is designed to emulate rippling waves as well as for the terrace deck and structural beams. Sustainability and a desire to recreate the close proximity often seen between wood and water in the natural environment were primary focuses in the design of this project. This led a requirement for a low maintenance wood, compatible humidity and with advanced durability, for the swimming pool ceiling. In addition, a high level of precision when cutting the wood was required in order to achieve the desired appearance of waves. Supplied by Leading Market, Kebony was carefully selected for the pool ceiling, which consists of 490 lamellae of timber, due to its versatility, durability and environmental credentials. Kebony was also installed throughout the exterior of this property, both for the spacious outdoor terrace and the exterior and interior beams. One of the reasons to choose Kebony was the unified look of wood in all these different applications. Developed in Norway, the patented Kebony technology uses an environmentally friendly process, which permanently enhances the properties of sustainable softwood with a bio-based liquid derived from agricultural crop waste. By polymerising the wood’s cell wall with furfuryl alcohol, the wood gains greatly improved durability and dimensional stability, giving it characteristics similar to those of tropical hardwood. In creating a wood with comparable properties to tropical hardwood that can be grown in a FSC certified, sustainably managed forest, the demand for tropical woods is reduced, allowing timber to once again be an important part of sustainable construction. Tomáš Hubinský, Lead Architect at M-S Pro, commented: “From conception through to completion, the creation of this ceiling has been a real feat. Despite the challenges faced by such an intricate design, Kebony was the perfect material to convey our desired effect of waves rippling along the ceiling. We will continue to incorporate Kebony into our interior and exterior designs, with wood fast becoming the first choice material for all architects.” Mette Valen, Sales Manager Norway at Kebony, explained: “The distinctive nature of this design cleverly portrays the capability of Kebony, demonstrating both the aesthetic and performance qualities of the product. We would be honoured to work with M-S Pro in the future and look forward to seeing how they utilise Kebony in their future projects.”

Nancy Knickerbocker of Reico Kitchen & Bath in Southern Pines, NC, collaborated with Tod Reid to design a transitional-style kitchen featuring Merillat Autograph and Masterpiece cabinetry. The perimeter cabinets are Merillat Autograph in the Bayard door style in Warm White, while the island features Masterpiece cabinetry in the Bolton door style in Rainfall. The kitchen also includes MSI Q Calacatta Laza countertops, 8x8 Angela Harris Florista Leave backsplash tile from Tile Inc. and KitchenAid range with downdraft, dishwasher and refrigerator. The client shared, “My experience with Reico was very pleasant from the start. Nancy was proficient and knowledgeable. Her timeline went as planned, and she presented several design options while adjusting to my preferences. Her attention to detail paid off—she found the perfect backsplash to complement my kitchen and home. Nancy also communicated well with my contractor. He appreciated the organized binder she prepared, which clearly laid out all the plans and specifications. The project went smoothly, and now I have a more efficient kitchen that has become the focal point of my home. I’m confident we’ll enjoy it for years to come.” Nancy explained, “The homeowners were ready for a change. We kept the same layout but updated the cabinetry, countertops, and appliances. We also installed large 12x24 floor tile. Because the home has an open floor plan, we needed the kitchen to blend with the rest of the space. The Warm White perimeter cabinets keep things bright, while the Rainfall island adds a pop of color. The backsplash tile, which reflects the homeowner’s love of plants, is visible from the front door and is my favorite part of the design.” Photos courtesy of ShowSpaces Photography.

Limescale deposits are a big problem in many parts of the UK where hard water is common. To remove it you need to use a strong acidic cleaner however what to do if you have limescale deposits on Limestone? As many may already know, Limestone is an expensive, high-quality stone that like a lot of natural stone is acid sensitive and can be damaged with the application of acid-based products. You can use acids on Limestone however if your careful and I demonstrated this recently at a property in this village of Everdon near Daventry in Northamptonshire. My customer had a fantastic black Limestone tiled shower cubicle that had been absolutely ruined by white limescale staining and it had reached the point where the situation simply couldn’t be resolved with standard cleaning products. As the staining was so severe, I opted to use Tile Doctor Acid Gel to clean the tiles. This is a blend of phosphoric and hydrochloric acids in gel form and is the best product for cleaning vertical services, since water based products just run off and don’t have time to work on the staining. Working in small areas, I carefully scrubbed the product into the stone and then rinsed it off with plain water. This process was repeated across the whole cubicle, reducing the stains significantly in the process. Next, I used a handheld polishing machine fitted with 6” diamond encrusted burnishing pads, along with some water for lubrication, to polish and deep clean the stone, removing any stubborn stains remaining on the tiles. I left the cubicle to dry completely overnight. Upon my return the next day, I proceeded to seal the tiles using two coats of Tile Doctor Colour Grow sealer. This sealer is impregnating, meaning it fils the pores of stone to protect against ingrained dirt and staining. As well as providing stone protection, Colour Grow also enhances the natural colour in the stone – in this case, the deep black shades in the Limestone. Having finished the job, I gave the very happy customer some advice on keeping limescale and other staining at bay in future. I explained that proper maintenance can be conducted by simply rinsing the tiles with clean water after each use of the shower, and by using Tile Doctor Aqua-Pro tile aftercare cleaner at least once a week. Phil Vissian Northamptonshire Tile Doctor

M-S Pro Architects announce the completion of an indoor swimming pool in a state-of-the-art, single storey family home set in a picturesque location on the outskirts of Bratislava - one of Europe’s youngest capital cities. Kebony, a beautiful wood recommended by leading architects, was chosen to craft the ceiling of the swimming pool, which is designed to emulate rippling waves as well as for the terrace deck and structural beams. Sustainability and a desire to recreate the close proximity often seen between wood and water in the natural environment were primary focuses in the design of this project. This led a requirement for a low maintenance wood, compatible humidity and with advanced durability, for the swimming pool ceiling. In addition, a high level of precision when cutting the wood was required in order to achieve the desired appearance of waves. Supplied by Leading Market, Kebony was carefully selected for the pool ceiling, which consists of 490 lamellae of timber, due to its versatility, durability and environmental credentials. Kebony was also installed throughout the exterior of this property, both for the spacious outdoor terrace and the exterior and interior beams. One of the reasons to choose Kebony was the unified look of wood in all these different applications. Developed in Norway, the patented Kebony technology uses an environmentally friendly process, which permanently enhances the properties of sustainable softwood with a bio-based liquid derived from agricultural crop waste. By polymerising the wood’s cell wall with furfuryl alcohol, the wood gains greatly improved durability and dimensional stability, giving it characteristics similar to those of tropical hardwood. In creating a wood with comparable properties to tropical hardwood that can be grown in a FSC certified, sustainably managed forest, the demand for tropical woods is reduced, allowing timber to once again be an important part of sustainable construction. Tomáš Hubinský, Lead Architect at M-S Pro, commented: “From conception through to completion, the creation of this ceiling has been a real feat. Despite the challenges faced by such an intricate design, Kebony was the perfect material to convey our desired effect of waves rippling along the ceiling. We will continue to incorporate Kebony into our interior and exterior designs, with wood fast becoming the first choice material for all architects.” Mette Valen, Sales Manager Norway at Kebony, explained: “The distinctive nature of this design cleverly portrays the capability of Kebony, demonstrating both the aesthetic and performance qualities of the product. We would be honoured to work with M-S Pro in the future and look forward to seeing how they utilise Kebony in their future projects.”

This young family purchased their first home in 2021, and let's say it was full of original 1970s charm - i.e., nothing had been done to this house in the past 50 years. We had recently completed a project for a family member, so they called us in to help. During our initial consultation, they shared a modest project budget, and we explained that we wouldn't be able to accomplish much on such a limited budget. Several weeks passed, and they ultimately raised their funding, and we signed on for the job. Even after doubling their budget, we still had our work cut out for us. The original kitchen was very small in comparison to the square footage of the home, and opening up the space meant we needed to add two structural beams between the first and second stories. These homeowners already had one small child, and were expecting another in the coming months. They also have large families in the area, so creating an ample gathering space for multiple cooks was crucial to the final layout. Some of their wish list items included a bar and a large island with plenty of seating. They also wanted the kitchen open to the family room. This home had a formal and informal dining area, so we opted to absorb the casual eating area into the newly expanded kitchen floorplan. We relocated their laundry room to create an extended family room, which included the new bar area. We were also able to use the under-stair space to create a kitchen pantry. The kitchen transformed from 115 sq. ft. to a spacious 260 sq. ft., all within existing poorly used space. We were able to create clear sightlines to the backyard and pool from the new kitchen and family room, perfect for a young family. Aesthetically speaking, our clients wanted a neutral space that could grow and change with their family. We kept the expensive items like cabinets, countertops, and tile in classic finishes like whites and navy blues, while we had more fun with things like the faucet, hardware, and light fixtures that could easily be updated over the years. The finished product is a warm, clean, family-friendly space that invites you to come in and pull up a chair.

Nancy Knickerbocker of Reico Kitchen and Bath in Southern Pines, NC designed multiple rooms for this project. This included the kitchen, pantry, laundry room and desk area, highlighting a traditional design style and featuring both Ultracraft Cabinetry and Merillat Classic Cabinetry. The kitchen features Ultracraft Winchester cabinets in an Artic White finish. The pantry showcases Merillat Classic cabinets in the Portrait door style with a Cotton finish. Both the laundry and desk areas include Merillat Classic Marlin cabinets in a Cotton White finish. Silestone Eternal Calacatta Gold and Lagoon countertops are featured in all rooms. The client expressed their appreciation for Nancy saying, “She has a great eye for detail and worked with my vision, even improving on it. I wanted to keep the wood paneling in the kitchen and den and she worked with me on this little challenge. She was honest with me, stayed on the project, ensured our orders came in on time and made sure the cabinets were what we ordered.” “I love everything about my spacious new kitchen and my laundry room. It's like being in a new home every time I walk in the house. I needed Nancy to design a lovely spacious kitchen with a good flow plan and she did it beautifully,” said the client. Nancy explained how the project was more than moving a couple of doors and appliances. “In the original plan, the range was in a peninsula. The peninsula was removed and an island added. The new island design houses a microwave drawer, spice pullout, trash/recycle, three large drawers, ample working surface and seating! The door to the walk-in pantry was relocated to the hallway between the kitchen and laundry area. This allows for a convenient countertop beside the refrigerator and gives more open space entering the kitchen.” Photos courtesy of ShowSpaces Photography.

Do you ever think about DIYing your closet renovation, but you’re just not sure it’ll turn out the way you want? This is where we found our recent client, Amanda, and her husband, Terry. DIY Dreamers The couple was in the middle of renovating their master bath when Amanda went down a Pinterest ‘rabbit hole.’ There in her endless scrolling, she was mesmerized by photos of beautiful master closets…efficient master closets…organized master closets…inspired master closets. Amanda began thinking…If she and Terry were already redoing their master bath, it only made sense to renovate their ensuite closet at the same time. They could even DIY it and save a little bit of money, too. Right? Amanda took measurements, researched closet organization systems online, and prepared to become a closet DIY warrior. But a little thought was holding her back. It wasn’t that she didn’t think they could do it themselves. Could they survive the stress of the renovation process? What if they ended up hating the result? What if they ended up hating each other in the process? That’s when Amanda found us and decided to explore a different option. A Professional Job – At the Same Price  Our Designer Felicity arrived for a consultation, worked up a complete closet renovation plan, explained our signature stress-free installation process, and gave the couple a price. The number ended up rivaling the final DIY cost. Amanda and Terry were sold (and relieved). The couple’s professional closet renovation & end-to-end installation took place over just 2 days last summer. They now have custom floor-to-ceiling closet organization – and new weight off of their shoulders that only comes with a clean, organized space. We later returned to revamp their daughter Savannah’s closet a few weeks later. Before you DIY your closet revamp, give us a quick call. We’d love to show you what we can do. Request a free consultation to get started on your dream closet here: https://www.inspiredclosets.com/locations/baton-rouge/contact/

This project was do in collaboration with my friends at Sweetwater Collaborative. Sweetwater Collaborative is a non-profit organization that work to educate the public about water wise and regenerative landscape practices. Funded by the City of Santa Barbara as well as several other business and agency Sweetwater Collaborative and I worked to installed this project with the help of volunteers. In a hands-on work shop we explained principles of water wise gardening and demonstrated best practices when installing sustainable landscapes. When the owner of this property decided to build an ADU ( Auxiliary Dwelling Unit) in their back yard they expanded the roof line of their property. In order to be in compliance with new California building the project required that a portion of the rain water coming onto this property must be stored on the property. That is where we came into help. Directing down spouts into basins, or swales in the soil is one of the most efficient and cost-effective way to capture and store rain water on a piece of land. Calculations were done to determine the volume of water coming of the roof line in a given rain event from the ADU. The calculations go: square footage of roofline times .62 times 1, for 1” of rain. That total gives you the amount of water in gallons. Then divide the number in gallons by 7.48 find the cubic feet in that number of gallons. Then a basin with that holding capacity was designed into the landscape. Then the plantings were chosen. In this project we went with an 100% California Native Plant palette. We did this to help educate people about all the benefits of growing natives and to show case some of the beautiful plants native to Southern California. Sothern California is how to some of the greatest biodiversity of plants in the world. Native Plants are best adapted to thrive conditions from which they are natively found plus they help provide forage to the native fauna such as birds and insects. Now the tenants in the ADU can look out and enjoy this colorful garden without the home owners needing to pay a huge water bill.

Nancy Knickerbocker of Reico Kitchen and Bath in Southern Pines, NC designed the kitchen, laundry room and bookcase in this multi-room project, a mixture of traditional and transitional styles featuring Masterpiece Cabinetry Gannon door style. The kitchen perimeter, bookcase, and laundry cabinets feature a Warm White finish, while the kitchen island cabinets are a Cherry Kaffe finish with Cambria Brittanicca Gold countertops. The kitchen also includes Emotive Astonished White Silk Florida Tile and Kohler’s Whitehaven farm sink and Simplice faucet. The client expressed their gratitude, stating, "Nancy was great about providing suggestions, and with her experience, she knew what would work well together. We are especially happy with our floor tile, backsplash, and countertops, which she recommended. She was easy to work with, honest, knowledgeable, and hardworking. We knew that she would keep our project on task and that we could count on her to take care of any issues we had.” "It is so elegant and provides so much more natural light than our old kitchen. The design provides more space for cooking and entertaining. Our favorite cabinet accessory is the lighted cabinet with glass door. It provides background lighting and elegance to our kitchen," said the client. Nancy explained how the project consisted of updating the kitchen and widening the opening to the family room. "We removed the peninsula and installed an island to improve flow. To have adequate clearance for the island, we had to take some space from their family room. This construction required a new support beam. We removed the existing soffits to accommodate taller cabinetry.” "The new design is great for their family. I love the color combinations and the overall look of the space. It's updated and still reflects the traditional style of their home." Photos courtesy of ShowSpaces Photography.

Nancy Knickerbocker of Reico Kitchen and Bath in Southern Pines, NC designed the kitchen, laundry room and bookcase in this multi-room project, a mixture of traditional and transitional styles featuring Masterpiece Cabinetry Gannon door style. The kitchen perimeter, bookcase, and laundry cabinets feature a Warm White finish, while the kitchen island cabinets are a Cherry Kaffe finish with Cambria Brittanicca Gold countertops. The kitchen also includes Emotive Astonished White Silk Florida Tile and Kohler’s Whitehaven farm sink and Simplice faucet. The client expressed their gratitude, stating, "Nancy was great about providing suggestions, and with her experience, she knew what would work well together. We are especially happy with our floor tile, backsplash, and countertops, which she recommended. She was easy to work with, honest, knowledgeable, and hardworking. We knew that she would keep our project on task and that we could count on her to take care of any issues we had.” "It is so elegant and provides so much more natural light than our old kitchen. The design provides more space for cooking and entertaining. Our favorite cabinet accessory is the lighted cabinet with glass door. It provides background lighting and elegance to our kitchen," said the client. Nancy explained how the project consisted of updating the kitchen and widening the opening to the family room. "We removed the peninsula and installed an island to improve flow. To have adequate clearance for the island, we had to take some space from their family room. This construction required a new support beam. We removed the existing soffits to accommodate taller cabinetry.” "The new design is great for their family. I love the color combinations and the overall look of the space. It's updated and still reflects the traditional style of their home." Photos courtesy of ShowSpaces Photography.

Nancy Knickerbocker of Reico Kitchen and Bath in Southern Pines, NC designed multiple rooms for this project. This included the kitchen, pantry, laundry room and desk area, highlighting a traditional design style and featuring both Ultracraft Cabinetry and Merillat Classic Cabinetry. The kitchen features Ultracraft Winchester cabinets in an Artic White finish. The pantry showcases Merillat Classic cabinets in the Portrait door style with a Cotton finish. Both the laundry and desk areas include Merillat Classic Marlin cabinets in a Cotton White finish. Silestone Eternal Calacatta Gold and Lagoon countertops are featured in all rooms. The client expressed their appreciation for Nancy saying, “She has a great eye for detail and worked with my vision, even improving on it. I wanted to keep the wood paneling in the kitchen and den and she worked with me on this little challenge. She was honest with me, stayed on the project, ensured our orders came in on time and made sure the cabinets were what we ordered.” “I love everything about my spacious new kitchen and my laundry room. It's like being in a new home every time I walk in the house. I needed Nancy to design a lovely spacious kitchen with a good flow plan and she did it beautifully,” said the client. Nancy explained how the project was more than moving a couple of doors and appliances. “In the original plan, the range was in a peninsula. The peninsula was removed and an island added. The new island design houses a microwave drawer, spice pullout, trash/recycle, three large drawers, ample working surface and seating! The door to the walk-in pantry was relocated to the hallway between the kitchen and laundry area. This allows for a convenient countertop beside the refrigerator and gives more open space entering the kitchen.” Photos courtesy of ShowSpaces Photography.

Nancy Knickerbocker of Reico Kitchen and Bath in Southern Pines, NC designed the kitchen, laundry room and bookcase in this multi-room project, a mixture of traditional and transitional styles featuring Masterpiece Cabinetry Gannon door style. The kitchen perimeter, bookcase, and laundry cabinets feature a Warm White finish, while the kitchen island cabinets are a Cherry Kaffe finish with Cambria Brittanicca Gold countertops. The kitchen also includes Emotive Astonished White Silk Florida Tile and Kohler’s Whitehaven farm sink and Simplice faucet. The client expressed their gratitude, stating, "Nancy was great about providing suggestions, and with her experience, she knew what would work well together. We are especially happy with our floor tile, backsplash, and countertops, which she recommended. She was easy to work with, honest, knowledgeable, and hardworking. We knew that she would keep our project on task and that we could count on her to take care of any issues we had.” "It is so elegant and provides so much more natural light than our old kitchen. The design provides more space for cooking and entertaining. Our favorite cabinet accessory is the lighted cabinet with glass door. It provides background lighting and elegance to our kitchen," said the client. Nancy explained how the project consisted of updating the kitchen and widening the opening to the family room. "We removed the peninsula and installed an island to improve flow. To have adequate clearance for the island, we had to take some space from their family room. This construction required a new support beam. We removed the existing soffits to accommodate taller cabinetry.” "The new design is great for their family. I love the color combinations and the overall look of the space. It's updated and still reflects the traditional style of their home." Photos courtesy of ShowSpaces Photography.

M-S Pro Architects announce the completion of an indoor swimming pool in a state-of-the-art, single storey family home set in a picturesque location on the outskirts of Bratislava - one of Europe’s youngest capital cities. Kebony, a beautiful wood recommended by leading architects, was chosen to craft the ceiling of the swimming pool, which is designed to emulate rippling waves as well as for the terrace deck and structural beams. Sustainability and a desire to recreate the close proximity often seen between wood and water in the natural environment were primary focuses in the design of this project. This led a requirement for a low maintenance wood, compatible humidity and with advanced durability, for the swimming pool ceiling. In addition, a high level of precision when cutting the wood was required in order to achieve the desired appearance of waves. Supplied by Leading Market, Kebony was carefully selected for the pool ceiling, which consists of 490 lamellae of timber, due to its versatility, durability and environmental credentials. Kebony was also installed throughout the exterior of this property, both for the spacious outdoor terrace and the exterior and interior beams. One of the reasons to choose Kebony was the unified look of wood in all these different applications. Developed in Norway, the patented Kebony technology uses an environmentally friendly process, which permanently enhances the properties of sustainable softwood with a bio-based liquid derived from agricultural crop waste. By polymerising the wood’s cell wall with furfuryl alcohol, the wood gains greatly improved durability and dimensional stability, giving it characteristics similar to those of tropical hardwood. In creating a wood with comparable properties to tropical hardwood that can be grown in a FSC certified, sustainably managed forest, the demand for tropical woods is reduced, allowing timber to once again be an important part of sustainable construction. Tomáš Hubinský, Lead Architect at M-S Pro, commented: “From conception through to completion, the creation of this ceiling has been a real feat. Despite the challenges faced by such an intricate design, Kebony was the perfect material to convey our desired effect of waves rippling along the ceiling. We will continue to incorporate Kebony into our interior and exterior designs, with wood fast becoming the first choice material for all architects.” Mette Valen, Sales Manager Norway at Kebony, explained: “The distinctive nature of this design cleverly portrays the capability of Kebony, demonstrating both the aesthetic and performance qualities of the product. We would be honoured to work with M-S Pro in the future and look forward to seeing how they utilise Kebony in their future projects.”

Nancy Knickerbocker of Reico Kitchen and Bath in Southern Pines, NC designed multiple rooms for this project. This included the kitchen, pantry, laundry room and desk area, highlighting a traditional design style and featuring both Ultracraft Cabinetry and Merillat Classic Cabinetry. The kitchen features Ultracraft Winchester cabinets in an Artic White finish. The pantry showcases Merillat Classic cabinets in the Portrait door style with a Cotton finish. Both the laundry and desk areas include Merillat Classic Marlin cabinets in a Cotton White finish. Silestone Eternal Calacatta Gold and Lagoon countertops are featured in all rooms. The client expressed their appreciation for Nancy saying, “She has a great eye for detail and worked with my vision, even improving on it. I wanted to keep the wood paneling in the kitchen and den and she worked with me on this little challenge. She was honest with me, stayed on the project, ensured our orders came in on time and made sure the cabinets were what we ordered.” “I love everything about my spacious new kitchen and my laundry room. It's like being in a new home every time I walk in the house. I needed Nancy to design a lovely spacious kitchen with a good flow plan and she did it beautifully,” said the client. Nancy explained how the project was more than moving a couple of doors and appliances. “In the original plan, the range was in a peninsula. The peninsula was removed and an island added. The new island design houses a microwave drawer, spice pullout, trash/recycle, three large drawers, ample working surface and seating! The door to the walk-in pantry was relocated to the hallway between the kitchen and laundry area. This allows for a convenient countertop beside the refrigerator and gives more open space entering the kitchen.” Photos courtesy of ShowSpaces Photography.

M-S Pro Architects announce the completion of an indoor swimming pool in a state-of-the-art, single storey family home set in a picturesque location on the outskirts of Bratislava - one of Europe’s youngest capital cities. Kebony, a beautiful wood recommended by leading architects, was chosen to craft the ceiling of the swimming pool, which is designed to emulate rippling waves as well as for the terrace deck and structural beams. Sustainability and a desire to recreate the close proximity often seen between wood and water in the natural environment were primary focuses in the design of this project. This led a requirement for a low maintenance wood, compatible humidity and with advanced durability, for the swimming pool ceiling. In addition, a high level of precision when cutting the wood was required in order to achieve the desired appearance of waves. Supplied by Leading Market, Kebony was carefully selected for the pool ceiling, which consists of 490 lamellae of timber, due to its versatility, durability and environmental credentials. Kebony was also installed throughout the exterior of this property, both for the spacious outdoor terrace and the exterior and interior beams. One of the reasons to choose Kebony was the unified look of wood in all these different applications. Developed in Norway, the patented Kebony technology uses an environmentally friendly process, which permanently enhances the properties of sustainable softwood with a bio-based liquid derived from agricultural crop waste. By polymerising the wood’s cell wall with furfuryl alcohol, the wood gains greatly improved durability and dimensional stability, giving it characteristics similar to those of tropical hardwood. In creating a wood with comparable properties to tropical hardwood that can be grown in a FSC certified, sustainably managed forest, the demand for tropical woods is reduced, allowing timber to once again be an important part of sustainable construction. Tomáš Hubinský, Lead Architect at M-S Pro, commented: “From conception through to completion, the creation of this ceiling has been a real feat. Despite the challenges faced by such an intricate design, Kebony was the perfect material to convey our desired effect of waves rippling along the ceiling. We will continue to incorporate Kebony into our interior and exterior designs, with wood fast becoming the first choice material for all architects.” Mette Valen, Sales Manager Norway at Kebony, explained: “The distinctive nature of this design cleverly portrays the capability of Kebony, demonstrating both the aesthetic and performance qualities of the product. We would be honoured to work with M-S Pro in the future and look forward to seeing how they utilise Kebony in their future projects.”

Do you ever think about DIYing your closet renovation, but you’re just not sure it’ll turn out the way you want? This is where we found our recent client, Amanda, and her husband, Terry. DIY Dreamers The couple was in the middle of renovating their master bath when Amanda went down a Pinterest ‘rabbit hole.’ There in her endless scrolling, she was mesmerized by photos of beautiful master closets…efficient master closets…organized master closets…inspired master closets. Amanda began thinking…If she and Terry were already redoing their master bath, it only made sense to renovate their ensuite closet at the same time. They could even DIY it and save a little bit of money, too. Right? Amanda took measurements, researched closet organization systems online, and prepared to become a closet DIY warrior. But a little thought was holding her back. It wasn’t that she didn’t think they could do it themselves. Could they survive the stress of the renovation process? What if they ended up hating the result? What if they ended up hating each other in the process? That’s when Amanda found us and decided to explore a different option. A Professional Job – At the Same Price  Our Designer Felicity arrived for a consultation, worked up a complete closet renovation plan, explained our signature stress-free installation process, and gave the couple a price. The number ended up rivaling the final DIY cost. Amanda and Terry were sold (and relieved). The couple’s professional closet renovation & end-to-end installation took place over just 2 days last summer. They now have custom floor-to-ceiling closet organization – and new weight off of their shoulders that only comes with a clean, organized space. We later returned to revamp their daughter Savannah’s closet a few weeks later. Before you DIY your closet revamp, give us a quick call. We’d love to show you what we can do. Request a free consultation to get started on your dream closet here: https://www.inspiredclosets.com/locations/baton-rouge/contact/

Nancy Knickerbocker of Reico Kitchen & Bath in Southern Pines, NC, collaborated with Tod Reid to design a transitional-style kitchen featuring Merillat Autograph and Masterpiece cabinetry. The perimeter cabinets are Merillat Autograph in the Bayard door style in Warm White, while the island features Masterpiece cabinetry in the Bolton door style in Rainfall. The kitchen also includes MSI Q Calacatta Laza countertops, 8x8 Angela Harris Florista Leave backsplash tile from Tile Inc. and KitchenAid range with downdraft, dishwasher and refrigerator. The client shared, “My experience with Reico was very pleasant from the start. Nancy was proficient and knowledgeable. Her timeline went as planned, and she presented several design options while adjusting to my preferences. Her attention to detail paid off—she found the perfect backsplash to complement my kitchen and home. Nancy also communicated well with my contractor. He appreciated the organized binder she prepared, which clearly laid out all the plans and specifications. The project went smoothly, and now I have a more efficient kitchen that has become the focal point of my home. I’m confident we’ll enjoy it for years to come.” Nancy explained, “The homeowners were ready for a change. We kept the same layout but updated the cabinetry, countertops, and appliances. We also installed large 12x24 floor tile. Because the home has an open floor plan, we needed the kitchen to blend with the rest of the space. The Warm White perimeter cabinets keep things bright, while the Rainfall island adds a pop of color. The backsplash tile, which reflects the homeowner’s love of plants, is visible from the front door and is my favorite part of the design.” Photos courtesy of ShowSpaces Photography.

In the exclusive enclave of Emirates Hills, a magnificent villa transformation by Antonovich Group demonstrates why the firm remains Dubai's premier interior design Dubai destination for discriminating homeowners. This comprehensive redesign showcases the company's ability to harmonize classical grandeur with contemporary functionality, creating a residence of exceptional distinction. The project, encompassing over 20,000 square feet of interior space, began with a strategic architectural intervention. As a leading interior renovation company Dubai residents trust for structural reimagining, Antonovich Group removed restrictive walls and raised ceiling heights to create more dramatic spatial proportions. A new double-height foyer with a sweeping marble staircase now establishes an immediate sense of grandeur upon entry. "Villa renovations of this caliber require thinking beyond surface treatments," explains the project director. "We approach each space architecturally first, ensuring the bones of the residence support the design narrative before addressing finishes and furnishings." Throughout the villa, the material palette speaks to extraordinary attention to detail—hand-selected marble with book-matched patterns, custom wood paneling with integrated lighting elements, and metallic accents in warm champagne tones. Each transition between spaces features thoughtful continuity while maintaining distinct character for individual rooms. The living areas exemplify Antonovich Group's talent for creating environments that balance visual impact with genuine comfort. Custom furnishings, manufactured in the company's dedicated workshop, feature silhouettes that reference classical forms while maintaining contemporary proportions. This approach creates spaces that feel simultaneously timeless and current. As an established interior renovation company Dubai homeowners select for turnkey solutions, Antonovich Group managed every aspect of the project—from conceptual design through technical documentation, procurement, construction management, and final styling. This comprehensive approach ensured flawless execution of even the most intricate details. "What distinguishes truly exceptional interior design Dubai projects is consistency of vision," notes the design director. "When one entity oversees the entire process, the result possesses a harmony that cannot be achieved through fragmented implementation." For villa owners contemplating similar transformations, Antonovich Group offers unparalleled expertise in creating residences that balance spectacular visual impact with the practical requirements of daily living—spaces that impress without sacrificing comfort.