This ​extraordinary home became the "unexpected" vision of our clients. After asking us for a "modern farmhouse" the clients used the phrase "aesthetically jarred" after seeing our concept design model. After explaining how the design solution met, or exceeded, each of their programmatic requirements the clients asked us to continue with the design with only minor adjustments. The end product, forged by shear will and bounded rationalism, became an award winning home that the clients have thoroughly enjoyed.​ This 1,762 SF hime was completed in the Summer of 2010. Honors for this project include being LEED Platinum Certified - 2011, and the USGBC's Green Star Award.

Dining Room in a Craftsman Home. Pending Publication. Please email sabrina@d2interiors.com for more photos. Photos by Amy Bartlam
Example of an arts and crafts dining room design in Los Angeles

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.

Thse clients came to me for a kitchen refresh. Keeping the existing floor plan but updating as much as possible. After explaining my thoughts, they chose to go with a much larger project. The wall to the garage wash pushed bach 12" to allow for the island to happen. This almost couldn't happen as there is a support post in the garage we had to keep. I designed the last pantry area as on 10" deep, allowing us to conceal that behind the cabinets. Then, we opend up the wall to the dining room to make the rooms one large space. The wall to the family room was also openend up, leaving the half wall to allow for the kitchen eating area. They wanted to incorporate a bar area, without it feeling like a "bar" The fabulous tall custom unit houses their wine collection and then half of the dining room buffet area holds glassware and other bar items. I helped the clients with all of the design choices.We all wanted to keep the space classic, war, functional and with mixed materials. I chose to use the same countertop material for the backsplash, to keep the space feeling as large as possible.

Q : Why have I never heard of Stretch Ceilings Before? A : The Stretch Ceiling System started in Europe in the 1970’s but became very popular after the 1990’s, where it is now in high demand. Nevertheless, the stretch ceiling has never been advertised on the retail market in the past, since it has always been exclusively used by the construction industry and interior designers, which partly explains this absence of information. . Q : What is a Stretch Ceiling? A : A Stretch Ceiling is a suspended ceiling system that consists of two components: a Track and a Lightweight Membrane, which stretches and clips into the Track.

We love this rustic-modern Houston patio addition with an outdoor kitchen and double pergola! It not only made the most of a long, narrow space while satisfying strict homeowners association rules, but did so affordably in a warm, timeless style. “The client really enjoys outdoor living, but had a specific budget they wanted to meet,” explains Outdoor Homescapes owner Wayne Franks. “They also live on a golf course and had to meet particular HOA requirements.” The HOA requirements restricted how far back the new 450-square-foot patio and pergola could extend back into the yard. The HOA also wanted to make sure the patio’s colors and materials matched the existing home and others around it. “We chose colors and materials that offered texture and character, but that would go with just about anything around it,” says Wayne. “We found what we were looking for in the Fantastico travertine and Austin limestone – two materials clients love and just can’t go wrong with.” The Austin limestone facing the 8-foot-square, L-shaped kitchen island is dry-stacked in a castle pattern for a naturalistic, rustic look. Yet its light, neutral color keeps the style fresh and modern. Adding to the modern look are the stainless steel appliances: an RCS 30-inch stainless steel grill, double burner and outdoor fridge. Even though the finishes on the sink and light fixtures (Hunter pendant lamps and Hampton Bay light/fan combos) have a different finish – oil-rubbed-bronze – this actually follows the recent trend of mixing different metals, materials and finishes. “The look’s not so matchy-matchy anymore,” explains Wayne. “Mixing it up makes it look more authentic and personalized.” That’s why backsplashes like the one in this project – done in glass and metal mosaic – are also becoming more popular than traditional ceramic tile. Another recent trend can be seen here, too – an amping up of color variation and texture. “In addition to the split-face texture of the rock, you can definitely see the bold color variation in the travertine,” says Wayne. The flooring is a Fantastico travertine, laid out in a Versailles pattern. “The Fantastico tile is killer,” says Wayne. “The warm reds go great with red brick, which we have a lot of around here.” The countertop with the rounded, raised bar at the end is English walnut travertine. The red bar stools also add a pop of exciting color that contrasts nicely with the greenery around the patio. The double pergola, continues Wayne, is No. 2 pine stained a Minwax honey-gold. One side of the pergola – the side over the seating area – is covered with Lexan, a clear material that keeps out rain, heat and UV rays. The pergola also juts further into the yard on that side. “It’s called a scallop, and it just lends some visual interest,” explains Wayne. “It prevents the pergola from just looking like one big rectangular hunk of wood.” Wayne particularly likes how everything blended so well with the brick – which was a big concern – yet didn’t come off as too neutral or boring. “The Fantastico travertine and red chairs do an excellent job of pulling the red from the brick and working with the warmth of that color to make a super-inviting space,” says Wayne. “We’re really pleased with how it all ties together so well.”

“We got taller cabinets for the uppers on the walls plus increased storage under the island. The style of the cabinets fits in with all our Mid Century modern furnishings and wood trim,” he adds. This was even more impressive considering that Brian and the contractor had to overcome some obstacles due to the original construction of the kitchen. “The wall behind the cabinets was essentially horsehair plaster on brick, and also the issue with the plumbing was running through the cabinets,” he explains. Lastly, Brian opted not to use IKEA’s under cabinet lighting system, instead choosing a lighting system recommended by the general contractor’s electrician.

Photo: Sarah McFarland © 2016 Houzz
Cottage exterior home photo in New York

Photo: Bonnie McCarthy © 2015 Houzz
Example of a classic living room design in Los Angeles

See what our client say about Paul Lopa Designs: It went as smooth as it possibly could go. The only bumps in the road was with what we found during demolition, you never know what your gonna run into when all the walls, floors and fixtures come out. Paul had explained to us that depending on what we found under all the out dated stuff it might take a little longer. Paul was there doing the work with his workers he showed up on time and finished on schedule. It was no problem being in touch with Paul because he answered his phone or got back to us in a timely fashion. He has an excellent sense of design he knows what goes well together and makes the house flow with comfort and usability. Paul Lopa designs,inc

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2017 Houzz
Living room - eclectic living room idea in New York

Bathroom - bathroom idea in San Francisco

Photo: Kimberley Bryan © 2017 Houzz A ModKnob adds a splash of playful blue and modern style to this modern-eclectic bedroom.
Bedroom - modern bedroom idea in Seattle

"The home remodeling process, from concept to a finished product, can be a long and stressful time for many couples. An endless number of questions always come to mind and timely decisions must be made if a successful project is desired. This is why we picked Taylor Pro Design and the reason we are so happy with the finished product! Kerry clearly explained what could and couldn’t be done from a design standpoint and the cost implications of the various options we were considering. In terms of the end product we couldn’t be happier. The attention to detail by his contractors is superb and Kerry’s willingness to make sure we were completely satisfied with everything is genuine and trustworthy. We would recommend Kerry Pro Design to anyone." ~ Julie S, Client Designer: Kerry Taylor Photos by: Jon Upson

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2014 Houzz
Inspiration for an eclectic dining room remodel in New York

He explains: “Our home was constructed in 1915 and the last remodel was done in the late 1960s. We were looking to update the design and make the kitchen more function and modern. We needed more counterspace, more storage space, and better placement of appliances to make the kitchen easier to use” he says. “Before the remodel, most of our pots and pans were in an unlit blind corner cabinet, which meant that it was almost impossible to find the pot we needed!” To remedy this, William chose IKEA BODBYN doors and drawer fronts in off-white — including some glass fronts —to fit with IKEA’s SEKTION cabinetry framework. Notably, he installed the cabinets and did the rest of the kitchen work himself. However, he wasn’t entirely without design assistance. That is where IKD’s design team came in. He explains: “My wife and I knew the basics of what IKEA styles we wanted for our kitchen, but also knew that we wanted to reconfigure our kitchen to make it more functional. IKD offered us a simple way to get a professional design that we could use for our kitchen, without having to pay an in-person designer (and likely get stuck with a contractor). Plus, I was pleased by some of the other kitchens that I saw that IKD had designed.” To that end, the kitchen is complemented by an array of IKEA appliances as well, including the IKEA NUTID French Door Refrigerator (Freezer Bottom) with Dispenser; the IKEA NUTID Self-Cleaning Convection Oven; the IKEA NUTID Built-In Microwave; IKEA FRAMTID five-burner stovetop, as well as a Whirlpool dishwasher. And it was all achieved within a budget of $15k-$18k, he adds. William concludes: “With the new kitchen, pots and pans are stored directly below the cooktop, spices next to the cooking area, storage bins next to the fridge, dinnerware above the dishwasher and sink. Everything is now near the places where it is used and the IKEA drawers make access much easier.” Let’s see how William’s kitchen came together!

"The home remodeling process, from concept to a finished product, can be a long and stressful time for many couples. An endless number of questions always come to mind and timely decisions must be made if a successful project is desired. This is why we picked Taylor Pro Design and the reason we are so happy with the finished product! Kerry clearly explained what could and couldn’t be done from a design standpoint and the cost implications of the various options we were considering. In terms of the end product we couldn’t be happier. The attention to detail by his contractors is superb and Kerry’s willingness to make sure we were completely satisfied with everything is genuine and trustworthy. We would recommend Kerry Pro Design to anyone." ~ Julie S, Client Designer: Kerry Taylor Photos by: Jon Upson

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

We love moody tones for how bold they are. Dark paint can make a big impact in large and even small spaces. This style allows us to play with color, balance lights and darks, and it’s a break from all of the white that we’ve been seeing for some time now. #officedesign #officeinspiration #homeofficeinspiration #moodyoffice #moodyinteriors #moodydesign