Outdoor Living Lifestyle Here To Stay Explaining the outdoor fireplace and fire pit trend, home remodeling and design website HOUZZ says: “Not unlike water, the natural element of fire is simply a primal source of satisfaction.” Fire features such as fireplaces and fire pits “not only add ambiance to an outdoor space but also provide heat and light that allows you to use your deck later into the evening and into the year,” says design expert Kate Campbell, one of the stars of HGTV’s “Decked Out.” Fire and fire and water features were one of the biggest trends of 2016 & 2017 for homeowners wanting to upgrade their outdoor living spaces. In fact, landscape architects surveyed by the American Society of Landscape Architects identified fireplaces and fire pits as the number 1 outdoor single element in home improvements. Inspired Fire FX...Igniting inspiration in your life! #palmdesert #luxury #outdoorliving

Photo courtesy of Detour Marketing, LLC
Example of a large classic dark wood floor and brown floor foyer design in Milwaukee with beige walls and a dark wood front door

Among our Houston outdoor kitchens, this one is unique because of its concrete countertops, pergola with stucco wrapping and custom storage. "It's not one of our biggest covered outdoor kitchens in Houston," says Outdoor Homescapes of Houston owner Wayne Franks. "But it's unique, and it looks really nice, too!" The client, a young family, wanted an outdoor kitchen with a more minimalistic, modern look, explains Outdoor Homescapes senior designer Lisha Maxey. "They're both doctors and very much attuned to detail," she says. "Their primary goal was to create a space where they could lounge while the children played as well as an area to entertain family and friends while cooking and dining outside." Like a growing number of people wanting small outdoor kitchens in Houston, this client expressed interest in using concrete as a surface material: "The look is contemporary and is easily paired with any type of outdoor furniture," says Maxey, "from wicker to teak to iron." Here's a closeup of the concrete countertops. You'll notice that they're glossy and smooth like glass, thanks to special sealers and a topcoat of UV-resistant resin that prevents the countertop from yellowing. Since these particular clients lean toward the minimalistic side of contemporary design, she continues, "the standard granite countertop of many Houston outdoor kitchens would not work, since it typically has a lot of movement and can be busy." Lisha sees the use of concrete as a growing outdoor design trend for Houston outdoor kitchens: "It's easy to maintain and again, leans towards a more modern look for outdoor." All the furniture and lighting is from Restoration Hardware, says Lisha, who's offering $500 in free outdoor furniture consultation services as a special promotion. (Interested? Just contact us!) The dining and lounge chairs are from the Antibes collection in cast aluminum with a bronze finish. The table is a Belgian Trestle made of weathered concrete and teak. Simple track lighting was used on the pergola in keeping with the minimalist look of the space. The pergola is a treated pine, stained a Minwax Jacobean, which appears almost black. "This client chose a pergola over a roof extension off the house because they wanted it to still seem light and airy in their outdoor space for their young children," explains Lisha. "They wanted a certain degree of sun and shade protection, which a pergola does provide, but they wanted it to seem a bit like a park for the kids to play in." "The seating/storage bin was not a part of the original design," says Lisha. "As the project progressed, the client expressed interest in some sort of chest for the new outdoor furniture cushions to be stored in." The design for the storage bin was developed to accommodate this request: "It eventually evolved into a seating area as well. And to keep the look consistent with the new kitchen, it was agreed that the stone be carried through the design. The wood top was necessary so we could design a hinged access for storage."

Modern luxury meets warm farmhouse in this Southampton home! Scandinavian inspired furnishings and light fixtures create a clean and tailored look, while the natural materials found in accent walls, casegoods, the staircase, and home decor hone in on a homey feel. An open-concept interior that proves less can be more is how we’d explain this interior. By accentuating the “negative space,” we’ve allowed the carefully chosen furnishings and artwork to steal the show, while the crisp whites and abundance of natural light create a rejuvenated and refreshed interior. This sprawling 5,000 square foot home includes a salon, ballet room, two media rooms, a conference room, multifunctional study, and, lastly, a guest house (which is a mini version of the main house).

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2015 Houzz
Trendy home design photo in New York

Modern luxury meets warm farmhouse in this Southampton home! Scandinavian inspired furnishings and light fixtures create a clean and tailored look, while the natural materials found in accent walls, casegoods, the staircase, and home decor hone in on a homey feel. An open-concept interior that proves less can be more is how we’d explain this interior. By accentuating the “negative space,” we’ve allowed the carefully chosen furnishings and artwork to steal the show, while the crisp whites and abundance of natural light create a rejuvenated and refreshed interior. This sprawling 5,000 square foot home includes a salon, ballet room, two media rooms, a conference room, multifunctional study, and, lastly, a guest house (which is a mini version of the main house).

© Bates Masi + Architects
Mid-sized minimalist gray floor open concept kitchen photo in New York with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, stainless steel countertops and an integrated sink

Photo: Sarah Seung McFarland © 2017 Houzz Design: Bento Designs
Example of an urban living room design in New York

Quality craftsmanship, superior service, and communication go hand in hand with cost management and integrity as the key ingredients for building a home. For over 25 years, Vanco Construction has built the dreams of homeowners in Short Hills, NJ., as well as in the surrounding Morris County communities of Mendham, Bernardsville, Basking Ridge and New Vernon. "Our approach begins with a clear understanding that producing a dream project is a team effort," explains Steve Vanadia, president of Vanco Construction. "The homeowner, builder, architect and interior designer must work as a team."

This couple loved everything about the Prior Lake home they recently purchased, the size, view, amenities, but not the way the kitchen looked or worked. Who knew a bold color and a keg of Guinness would fix everything. “They had a catch-all desk area in the kitchen that added clutter, not usefulness and a very traditional white glazed cabinetry that didn’t fit their style,” recalls Murphy Bros. design/build consultant Courtney Cartee. “The island was an issue as well. So I designed a new larger “T” shaped island with Vicostone countertops to better utilize a lot of wasted space. This will serve as a more generous gathering point for their family of four,” explains Cartee. Design/Build Consultant — Courtney Cartee Photography — Alyssa Lee

Photo: Bonnie McCarthy © 2015 Houzz
Elegant kitchen photo in Los Angeles

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2017 Houzz
Example of a trendy medium tone wood floor bedroom design in New York with yellow walls and no fireplace

The curtains (color selected by client) were used to separate the bathroom from other spaces. The entire right side was left open to show enough space for a toilet, sink and storage. By leaving grab bars out, we were able to explain how building the space with 48" backerboard (or plywood) behind the tile enables anyone to add in grab-bars at a later time within a day for under $100 rather than requiring a total bath makeover when the need arises. Even given the small space, the shower had more than adequate space for multiple people in the shower (whether a parent bathing children or a grandparent using a PCA) and for use of vastly different heights of users. The entry level double shower had a metal holder placed next to the bench to enable the bather to place the handheld shower next to herself while doing other bathing activities. Senserit copyright.

Photo by: Norman Sizemore
Inspiration for a contemporary kitchen remodel in Chicago

This design / build project in Redondo Beach, CA. focused on a family’s hall bathroom. There were multiple reasons that the homeowners decided to start this project but the issue that was most pressing was water damage from the shower. The homeowners knew it needed to be addressed ASAP. As long as a remodel was going to be completed they felt that it was time to address the layout as well. It was not efficient in its original state. Since bathrooms work so hard it was important that the remodel resolve this issue as well. The homeowners were also interested in new finishes. Desiring something more light and fresh with a coastal feel we began reimagining the layout. The before and after pictures explain it best but basically the new shower was placed against the wall where there previously was a toilet and window. The location and size of the window was changed as well. The shower is now a three wall alcove with grab bars to allow the homeowners to age in place. The white subway tile is accented by a mosaic tile in the homeowners’ favorite coastal shades. The light and beachy feel is reinforced with the grey ceramic tile floor. The vanity is a furniture-style with details like decorative feet. The space is tied together with a backsplash that matches the border in the shower.

Modern luxury meets warm farmhouse in this Southampton home! Scandinavian inspired furnishings and light fixtures create a clean and tailored look, while the natural materials found in accent walls, casegoods, the staircase, and home decor hone in on a homey feel. An open-concept interior that proves less can be more is how we’d explain this interior. By accentuating the “negative space,” we’ve allowed the carefully chosen furnishings and artwork to steal the show, while the crisp whites and abundance of natural light create a rejuvenated and refreshed interior. This sprawling 5,000 square foot home includes a salon, ballet room, two media rooms, a conference room, multifunctional study, and, lastly, a guest house (which is a mini version of the main house).

How To Remove Stopper From Pedestal Sink: An Easy Step By Step DIY Guide By Jen William November 13, 2021 From a statistical viewpoint, we use our sink on an hourly basis. And most of us are familiar with a clogged sink due to a stuck or worn stopper. Do you call a plumber on such occasions? If that’s the case, we can assure you that you can solve it by yourself. And to prep you up, today we shall explain how to remove stopper from pedestal sink deftly in simple steps. Moreover, minute wastes gradually jam the drain tube. Under this situation, we must unhook the stopper to clear the drain tube. Plus, a pop-up assembly eventually frays when it needs to be changed. So, for your convenience, we have also discussed how to change and reassemble the stopper.

Even among people who love a mainly white palette in the kitchen, not everyone wants absolutely everything to be white. When spicing up white kitchens, certain elements will provide more bang for your buck, says Stark. “When it’s a white kitchen, it’s easy to introduce contrast. Usually, center islands or backsplashes behind the range are a great place to highlight the clean look of white and can act as a focal point as well,” he explains. This particular kitchen has a large island whose base is a different color. This type of contrast is a bit softer because the color of the wood is more muted, which fits with the more laid-back, natural style of this home. .

THIS IS WHAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF!!!!!! These covered bridge, full overlay cabinets with Sherwin Williams 'River' painted poplar wood make for a breathtaking laundry room! The backsplash----is not wallpaper!!! This is hand-laid mosaic tile. Words cannot explain the beauty of this laundry! Check out a full video walkthrough of this on our Facebook page!