This steeply sloped property was converted into a backyard retreat through the use of natural and man-made stone. The natural gunite swimming pool includes a sundeck and waterfall and is surrounded by a generous paver patio, seat walls and a sunken bar. A Koi pond, bocce court and night-lighting provided add to the interest and enjoyment of this landscape. This beautiful redesign was also featured in the Interlock Design Magazine. Explained perfectly in ICPI, “Some spa owners might be jealous of the newly revamped backyard of Wayne, NJ family: 5,000 square feet of outdoor living space, complete with an elevated patio area, pool and hot tub lined with natural rock, a waterfall bubbling gently down from a walkway above, and a cozy fire pit tucked off to the side. The era of kiddie pools, Coleman grills and fold-up lawn chairs may be officially over.”

Wolf range and hood is flanked by reclaimed barn board floating shlves. A blend of classic style and reclaimed materials creates an organic and stylish kitchen space. Photography by Eric Roth

Photography: Jen Burner Photography
Large farmhouse detached garden shed photo in New Orleans

With children raised and the work of establishing a career behind them, Dennis and Helene Liotta decided it was time to simplify life and downsize—by moving up. They sold their 5,000 sq. ft. family home (complete with the requisite pool and expansive yard), in favor of a 3,600 sq. ft. residence on the 47th floor of The Sovereign, a sleek mixed-use tower located in Atlanta’s Buckhead district. Realizing they wanted to enlist a talented decorative collaborator for all phases of the project, the couple sought the assistance of Mercedes Williams, design consultant at Cantoni Atlanta. Having helped the couple’s sons with purchases in the past, he came highly recommended. “I know the Liotta’s were thrilled to have the opportunity to personally conceptualize their new home,” recalls Mercedes. “They wanted my input to customize the space—confirming paint, tile, flooring, and finish choices—and they wanted help choosing furniture that would create an elegant yet warm and comfortable living environment.” “Dennis and Helene also had a vision for how they wanted the space to flow,” he explains. “The large, open floor plan for the main living room included the kitchen and dining areas, so we had to delineate the spaces while creating visual interest…without using a lot of furniture.” Choosing pieces with impact, and looks that simultaneously celebrated texture, scale, finish, and color, was the key to success. The dining table and large wool rug were custom-made by Cantoni and colored to coordinate with some of the couple’s key glass collectibles. “We also made the salt water aquarium a focal point in the living area because Dennis and Helene love the beach and ocean,” explains Mercedes. Along with additional new furnishings from Cantoni the couple wanted to incorporate other existing pieces from their extensive art and glass collection. Given the size of their former residence, an editing session was in order, so the Liotta’s took a novel approach to the task at hand. “We had a huge ‘Sovereign’ moving party and let friends and family take some of the things we knew we could part with,” says Helene. Dennis and Helene have been settled into their new digs since November. He continues to work as a professor at Emory University, and she enjoys searching for premium wines sold at Wine Gallery + Market, a family-owned gourmet emporium in Atlanta. With two bedrooms and a study, there remains room enough for the grandkids to sleep over—and a large dining table was selected so the couple could continue to accommodate multi-generational gatherings. “This project was a dream job for me,” reflects Mercedes, with enthusiasm. “The Liotta’s have excellent taste and wanted to create a fun and inviting environment that evokes luxury without stuffiness. They knew what they wanted, but needed a little help getting there. I’m flattered they chose me and Cantoni to help them realize the life they dreamed of living at The Sovereign.”

Cathedral ceilings and seamless cabinetry complement this home’s river view. The low ceilings in this ’70s contemporary were a nagging issue for the 6-foot-8 homeowner. Plus, drab interiors failed to do justice to the home’s Connecticut River view. By raising ceilings and removing non-load-bearing partitions, architect Christopher Arelt was able to create a cathedral-within-a-cathedral structure in the kitchen, dining and living area. Decorative mahogany rafters open the space’s height, introduce a warmer palette and create a welcoming framework for light. The homeowner, a Frank Lloyd Wright fan, wanted to emulate the famed architect’s use of reddish-brown concrete floors, and the result further warmed the interior. “Concrete has a connotation of cold and industrial but can be just the opposite,” explains Arelt. Clunky European hardware was replaced by hidden pivot hinges, and outside cabinet corners were mitered so there is no evidence of a drawer or door from any angle. Photo Credit: Read McKendree

Troy Thies Photography, Interior Design by Eminent Interior Design
Example of a transitional kitchen design in Minneapolis with light wood cabinets and stainless steel appliances

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.

Cathedral ceilings and seamless cabinetry complement this kitchen’s river view The low ceilings in this ’70s contemporary were a nagging issue for the 6-foot-8 homeowner. Plus, drab interiors failed to do justice to the home’s Connecticut River view. By raising ceilings and removing non-load-bearing partitions, architect Christopher Arelt was able to create a cathedral-within-a-cathedral structure in the kitchen, dining and living area. Decorative mahogany rafters open the space’s height, introduce a warmer palette and create a welcoming framework for light. The homeowner, a Frank Lloyd Wright fan, wanted to emulate the famed architect’s use of reddish-brown concrete floors, and the result further warmed the interior. “Concrete has a connotation of cold and industrial but can be just the opposite,” explains Arelt. Clunky European hardware was replaced by hidden pivot hinges, and outside cabinet corners were mitered so there is no evidence of a drawer or door from any angle.

Lian also used a cabinet installer found on the Semihandmade Website. “He was extremely affordable (about half of what IKEA installation costs) and was fantastic. He was communicative, fast and very professional,” she says. And, of course, the installer was following IKD’s design layout. She explains: “When researching kitchen designs and options, we found a recommendation to use IKD for the design of IKEA kitchens. We checked out their Web site, loved what we saw and the price was reasonable. It was an easy decision!” The layout also makes the kitchen more efficient as well – particularly when she is cooking. “The layout makes it easy to navigate and the placement of the appliances, kitchen island, sink and storage all work seamlessly together to make cooking that much more fun. I love how much storage space we actually have now and how easy it is to prep food and cook. Everything is very intuitive,” she concludes.

"When I first visited the client's house, and before seeing the space, I sat down with my clients to understand their needs. They told me they were getting ready to remodel their bathroom and master closet, and they wanted to get some ideas on how to make their closet better. The told me they wanted to figure out the closet before they did anything, so they presented their ideas to me, which included building walls in the space to create a larger master closet. I couldn't visual what they were explaining, so we went to the space. As soon as I got in the space, it was clear to me that we didn't need to build walls, we just needed to have the current closets torn out and replaced with wardrobes, create some shelving space for shoes and build an island with drawers in a bench. When I proposed that solution, they both looked at me with big smiles on their faces and said, 'That is the best idea we've heard, let's do it', then they asked me if I could design the vanity as well. "I used 3/4" Melamine, Italian walnut, and Donatello thermofoil. The client provided their own countertops." - Leslie Klinck, Designer

Photo: Carolyn Reyes © 2016 Houzz Design: Kelly Mack Home
Eclectic kitchen photo in Los Angeles

Master bathroom with large marble tile floors and marble tile shower. Shower has glass surround, keeping the flow of the large bathroom. Bathtub with large windows, large mirror with vanity lighting installed over the mirror. Gold faucets with marble top and dark wood vanity. Modern touches in a traditional style bathroom.

With children raised and the work of establishing a career behind them, Dennis and Helene Liotta decided it was time to simplify life and downsize—by moving up. They sold their 5,000 sq. ft. family home (complete with the requisite pool and expansive yard), in favor of a 3,600 sq. ft. residence on the 47th floor of The Sovereign, a sleek mixed-use tower located in Atlanta’s Buckhead district. Realizing they wanted to enlist a talented decorative collaborator for all phases of the project, the couple sought the assistance of Mercedes Williams, design consultant at Cantoni Atlanta. Having helped the couple’s sons with purchases in the past, he came highly recommended. “I know the Liotta’s were thrilled to have the opportunity to personally conceptualize their new home,” recalls Mercedes. “They wanted my input to customize the space—confirming paint, tile, flooring, and finish choices—and they wanted help choosing furniture that would create an elegant yet warm and comfortable living environment.” “Dennis and Helene also had a vision for how they wanted the space to flow,” he explains. “The large, open floor plan for the main living room included the kitchen and dining areas, so we had to delineate the spaces while creating visual interest…without using a lot of furniture.” Choosing pieces with impact, and looks that simultaneously celebrated texture, scale, finish, and color, was the key to success. The dining table and large wool rug were custom-made by Cantoni and colored to coordinate with some of the couple’s key glass collectibles. “We also made the salt water aquarium a focal point in the living area because Dennis and Helene love the beach and ocean,” explains Mercedes. Along with additional new furnishings from Cantoni the couple wanted to incorporate other existing pieces from their extensive art and glass collection. Given the size of their former residence, an editing session was in order, so the Liotta’s took a novel approach to the task at hand. “We had a huge ‘Sovereign’ moving party and let friends and family take some of the things we knew we could part with,” says Helene. Dennis and Helene have been settled into their new digs since November. He continues to work as a professor at Emory University, and she enjoys searching for premium wines sold at Wine Gallery + Market, a family-owned gourmet emporium in Atlanta. With two bedrooms and a study, there remains room enough for the grandkids to sleep over—and a large dining table was selected so the couple could continue to accommodate multi-generational gatherings. “This project was a dream job for me,” reflects Mercedes, with enthusiasm. “The Liotta’s have excellent taste and wanted to create a fun and inviting environment that evokes luxury without stuffiness. They knew what they wanted, but needed a little help getting there. I’m flattered they chose me and Cantoni to help them realize the life they dreamed of living at The Sovereign.”

The way one chooses to maintain one's garden is an important element of design. One option is to leave intact last year's growth on warm-season grasses for their sculptural quality. We love how the native Meadow Petunia fills in all the gaps, while the Black Eyed Susans provide bright and bold contrast to the mix. We call these gardens "living landscapes" because the native plants they contain seed off and change locations from year to year in a dynamic, dramatic show. The gardener becomes audience, director, and dramaturge--all in one--rather than one who tightly controls the results. (What is a dramaturge, one might ask if their friends are not in the theater?) Oxford languages explains: "1. a dramatist. 2. a literary editor on the staff of a theater who consults with authors and edits texts." In living landscapes, the native plants become a sort of text which the gardener edits in order to shape the unfolding drama for the current and next season. The gardener chooses where to pull back overly assertive plants, when to nudge forward the under-confident actor waiting to shine, when to let the mystery unfold and surprise. It is not laissez-faire or "what will be will be"--rather, it is an ongoing movement rooted in observation and reflection. This is the living landscape we strive to design and build at The Natural Garden.

With children raised and the work of establishing a career behind them, Dennis and Helene Liotta decided it was time to simplify life and downsize—by moving up. They sold their 5,000 sq. ft. family home (complete with the requisite pool and expansive yard), in favor of a 3,600 sq. ft. residence on the 47th floor of The Sovereign, a sleek mixed-use tower located in Atlanta’s Buckhead district. Realizing they wanted to enlist a talented decorative collaborator for all phases of the project, the couple sought the assistance of Mercedes Williams, design consultant at Cantoni Atlanta. Having helped the couple’s sons with purchases in the past, he came highly recommended. “I know the Liotta’s were thrilled to have the opportunity to personally conceptualize their new home,” recalls Mercedes. “They wanted my input to customize the space—confirming paint, tile, flooring, and finish choices—and they wanted help choosing furniture that would create an elegant yet warm and comfortable living environment.” “Dennis and Helene also had a vision for how they wanted the space to flow,” he explains. “The large, open floor plan for the main living room included the kitchen and dining areas, so we had to delineate the spaces while creating visual interest…without using a lot of furniture.” Choosing pieces with impact, and looks that simultaneously celebrated texture, scale, finish, and color, was the key to success. The dining table and large wool rug were custom-made by Cantoni and colored to coordinate with some of the couple’s key glass collectibles. “We also made the salt water aquarium a focal point in the living area because Dennis and Helene love the beach and ocean,” explains Mercedes. Along with additional new furnishings from Cantoni the couple wanted to incorporate other existing pieces from their extensive art and glass collection. Given the size of their former residence, an editing session was in order, so the Liotta’s took a novel approach to the task at hand. “We had a huge ‘Sovereign’ moving party and let friends and family take some of the things we knew we could part with,” says Helene. Dennis and Helene have been settled into their new digs since November. He continues to work as a professor at Emory University, and she enjoys searching for premium wines sold at Wine Gallery + Market, a family-owned gourmet emporium in Atlanta. With two bedrooms and a study, there remains room enough for the grandkids to sleep over—and a large dining table was selected so the couple could continue to accommodate multi-generational gatherings. “This project was a dream job for me,” reflects Mercedes, with enthusiasm. “The Liotta’s have excellent taste and wanted to create a fun and inviting environment that evokes luxury without stuffiness. They knew what they wanted, but needed a little help getting there. I’m flattered they chose me and Cantoni to help them realize the life they dreamed of living at The Sovereign.”

This steeply sloped property was converted into a backyard retreat through the use of natural and man-made stone. The natural gunite swimming pool includes a sundeck and waterfall and is surrounded by a generous paver patio, seat walls and a sunken bar. A Koi pond, bocce court and night-lighting provided add to the interest and enjoyment of this landscape. This beautiful redesign was also featured in the Interlock Design Magazine. Explained perfectly in ICPI, “Some spa owners might be jealous of the newly revamped backyard of Wayne, NJ family: 5,000 square feet of outdoor living space, complete with an elevated patio area, pool and hot tub lined with natural rock, a waterfall bubbling gently down from a walkway above, and a cozy fire pit tucked off to the side. The era of kiddie pools, Coleman grills and fold-up lawn chairs may be officially over.”

With children raised and the work of establishing a career behind them, Dennis and Helene Liotta decided it was time to simplify life and downsize—by moving up. They sold their 5,000 sq. ft. family home (complete with the requisite pool and expansive yard), in favor of a 3,600 sq. ft. residence on the 47th floor of The Sovereign, a sleek mixed-use tower located in Atlanta’s Buckhead district. Realizing they wanted to enlist a talented decorative collaborator for all phases of the project, the couple sought the assistance of Mercedes Williams, design consultant at Cantoni Atlanta. Having helped the couple’s sons with purchases in the past, he came highly recommended. “I know the Liotta’s were thrilled to have the opportunity to personally conceptualize their new home,” recalls Mercedes. “They wanted my input to customize the space—confirming paint, tile, flooring, and finish choices—and they wanted help choosing furniture that would create an elegant yet warm and comfortable living environment.” “Dennis and Helene also had a vision for how they wanted the space to flow,” he explains. “The large, open floor plan for the main living room included the kitchen and dining areas, so we had to delineate the spaces while creating visual interest…without using a lot of furniture.” Choosing pieces with impact, and looks that simultaneously celebrated texture, scale, finish, and color, was the key to success. The dining table and large wool rug were custom-made by Cantoni and colored to coordinate with some of the couple’s key glass collectibles. “We also made the salt water aquarium a focal point in the living area because Dennis and Helene love the beach and ocean,” explains Mercedes. Along with additional new furnishings from Cantoni the couple wanted to incorporate other existing pieces from their extensive art and glass collection. Given the size of their former residence, an editing session was in order, so the Liotta’s took a novel approach to the task at hand. “We had a huge ‘Sovereign’ moving party and let friends and family take some of the things we knew we could part with,” says Helene. Dennis and Helene have been settled into their new digs since November. He continues to work as a professor at Emory University, and she enjoys searching for premium wines sold at Wine Gallery + Market, a family-owned gourmet emporium in Atlanta. With two bedrooms and a study, there remains room enough for the grandkids to sleep over—and a large dining table was selected so the couple could continue to accommodate multi-generational gatherings. “This project was a dream job for me,” reflects Mercedes, with enthusiasm. “The Liotta’s have excellent taste and wanted to create a fun and inviting environment that evokes luxury without stuffiness. They knew what they wanted, but needed a little help getting there. I’m flattered they chose me and Cantoni to help them realize the life they dreamed of living at The Sovereign.”

Large minimalist porcelain tile and beige floor kitchen photo in Ottawa with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, white countertops and blue cabinets

Example of a mountain style kitchen design in Minneapolis