Light cascades through the windows, highlighting the white oak of this contemporary staircase. The white oak risers and treads stand out against the crisp white stringers as the U-shaped staircase turns up the three levels of this Virginia home. The white oak is echoed in the railing as square chamfer-top newels support a post-to-post handrail system that forgoes traditional goosenecks for a cleaner architectural line. The satin black balusters add a custom, chic feel with their geometric pattern. The result is a stair system in balance, easy on the eye at every turn. It is a centerpiece worth taking in, not just traveling through. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company Photos courtesy of Classic Cottages

This Fishtown rowhome refresh started with a familiar challenge: a sea of flat, builder-grade finishes in predictable “millennial gray.” Our clients wanted a home that felt layered, lived-in, and full of personality. They desired something that reflected their style, not just a resale checklist. We reworked two full floors to bring in warmth, character, and thoughtful details. On the main level, we introduced rich textures, vintage accents, and a more intentional palette that made a statement. Powerful punches of wallpaper, uniquely different but graciously coordinating, transformed key moments into standout spaces. Upstairs, updates to the kitchen and dining area emphasized comfort, functionality, and bold sophistication. Throughout, we layered in materials with soul: natural woods, warm metals, and handcrafted touches, all while keeping the overall footprint and layout intact. Built-ins in the living area brought much-needed storage, style, and a grounded focal point to anchor the space. The result is a home that feels personal yet timeless. A clear departure from the gray-washed norm.

Set on a narrow lakefront parcel defined by tight setbacks and limited hardscape allowance, this modern cabin demonstrates how thoughtful design can transform restriction into possibility. Carefully composed to preserve privacy while opening fully toward the water, the home feels both expansive and intimate—an elevated retreat grounded in its landscape. Though modest in footprint, the residence lives generously. Four bedrooms are tucked efficiently within the plan, including a light-filled quilting studio that reflects the homeowners’ creative life. Each bedroom opens onto its own private balcony, offering moments of pause and perspective with views stretching across lake and countryside. The upper level also includes a family room, providing a quiet gathering space removed from the activity below. From here, the home’s vertical volume becomes apparent, as daylight pours down through a dramatic two-story space framed by glass facing the lake. At the center of the home, a custom steel-and-wood plank stair acts as both circulation and sculpture. Rising through the double-height volume, it leads the eye upward to a tall Nelson cigar lamp suspended above—an intentional moment of drama and delight. The main floor is designed around connection and flow. Kitchen, dining, and living areas exist as one continuous space, unified by light, views, and material warmth. A 12-foot-long island anchors the kitchen, serving as the natural gathering place for morning coffee, family meals, and summertime buffet-style entertaining. When fully opened, large folding accordion glass doors dissolve the boundary between inside and out, allowing the screened porch to become a true extension of the living space. Function is carefully layered throughout the plan. A mudroom entry from the tucked-under two-car garage includes a powder room and utility closet, while a generous entry closet provides essential storage and has been dimensioned to accommodate a future elevator. Designed intentionally for aging in place, the home incorporates zero-threshold access from the garage, wide halls and doorways, reinforced wall blocking for future grab bars, and infrastructure for a future elevator—ensuring long-term comfort without compromising design. Clad in dark painted board-and-batten siding, the exterior minimizes visual scale and allows the home to recede quietly into the landscape. Recessed balconies and façade elements are wrapped in warm wood-look siding, adding depth and contrast while bringing warmth into the interior. At night, light spills softly from within, and the cabin glows along the shoreline—welcoming, calm, and enduring.

With a thoughtful use of lighting and carefully curated furniture, this 1,000 sq ft Mid-Levels apartment with unsightly columns and beams is transformed into a cosy Scandinavian home with a Japanese touch. When you think of designing a home, one does not usually put Japanese and Nordic together. But Clifton was inspired by the compatibility of the two cultures, which both emphasise minimalism, to bring out this eye-catching fusion project. Earth tones reminiscent of Scandinavian design are used throughout the apartment, allowing it to look more spacious and comfortable. Upon entering the apartment, one is quickly greeted by the Japanese style living room, which oozes Zen with a faux fur carpet and flatter furniture pieces including a Fritz Hansen sofa in pink, side table from Habitat, dining table from HAY and pendent lamps from Louis Poulsen. The apartment is blessed with a high ceiling, but nonetheless, its columns and beams originally made it appear smaller. But with a clever use of lighting, such as indirect lighting on top of the beams and strategic placement of lamps on the columns, the flaws are concealed and the unit appears taller, bigger and more comfortable. Similarly, the kitchen is transformed into an open one with an island, so the owners, both social butterflies, can invite their friends over for gatherings. Besides catering to the two adult owners, Clifton did not forget about their fur friend Buddy, a Bichon Frise. To ensure that Buddy does not feel left out at night, while ensuring the couple can have some privacy in their bedroom, a small square hole was made in the door for him to freely move in and out.

Photography by The Lux Level
Kitchen - modern kitchen idea in Los Angeles

The Rancho Estate provides a level of luxury that sets it apart from any residence in Los Angeles, breaking the record for the most expensive home ever sold in the Encino area. The Eden Group worked with the client to achieve all their development goals by providing integrated design and engineering services which developed concurrently achieving project milestones while staying within the construction budget. Our residential design team used modern aesthetics which entailed of design elements tailored to provide spacious and unparalleled views of the San Fernando Valley. Attracting a dream buyer is the most important aspect in the eyes of any real estate developer and that is why we chose two words to describe the amenities we incorporated into the design: Vast & Spectacular. The estate allows you to swim with infinite views, get your work out on at the indoor gym, shoot hoops with your friends in the indoor basketball court, go for a round of bowling with your child, chomp on popcorn in your theater, get a massage after the steam room at your private spa, putt a couple hole-in-ones, and if you get bored you can always choose to go for a ride from the collection inside your 16-car garage. Majestic high ceilings mixed wide span openings created a challenge for our engineers given the strict rules in the Baseline Hillside Ordinance and the California Building Code. Our structural engineers prepared innovative design plans which entailed of 150 deep pile foundations mixed with steel and laminated timber framing members. We also used permanent shoring techniques to reduce construction cost by eliminating the need for temporary shoring plans for both the structure foundation and on-site retaining walls. Given that California has some of the strictest stormwater management requirements and the total amount of non-permeable areas on this project, the client was required to construct a 35,000-gallon rain harvesting tank per the Low Impact Development Plan Best Management Practice (BMP’s) standards. Our specialized drainage design team captured all on-site stormwater through trench drains, area drains, and downspouts which routed water to a mechanical sump pump that connected to the storage tank for irrigation use later. Innovative design engineering techniques used on this project allowed for increased safety and sustainability making the Rancho Estate a masterpiece of contemporary construction.

On the other side of the stairway is a dreamy basement bathroom that mixes classic furnishings with bold patterns. Green ceramic tile in the shower is both soothing and functional, while Cle Tile in a bold, yet timeless pattern draws the eye. Complimented by a vintage-style vanity from Restoration Hardware and classic gold faucets and finishes, this is a bathroom any guest would love. The bathroom layout remained largely the same, but the space was expanded to allow for a more spacious walk-in shower and vanity by relocating the wall to include a sink area previously part of the adjoining mudroom. With minimal impact to the existing plumbing, this bathroom was transformed aesthetically to create the luxurious experience our homeowners sought. Ample hooks for guests and little extras add subtle glam to an otherwise functional space.

Huge re-model including taking ceiling from a flat ceiling to a complete transformation. Bamboo custom cabinetry was given a grey stain, mixed with walnut strip on the bar and the island given a different stain. Huge amounts of storage from deep pan corner drawers, roll out trash, coffee station, built in refrigerator, wine and alcohol storage, appliance garage, pantry and appliance storage, the amounts go on and on. Floating shelves with a back that just grabs the eye takes this kitchen to another level. The clients are thrilled with this huge difference from their original space.

You enter this bright and light master bathroom through a custom pocket door that is inlayed with a mirror. The room features a beautiful free-standing tub. The shower is Carrera marble and has a seat, storage inset, a body jet and dual showerheads. The striking single vanity is a deep navy blue with beaded inset cabinets, chrome handles and provides tons of storage. Along with the blue vanity, the rose gold fixtures, including the shower grate, are eye catching and provide a subtle pop of color. What started as an addition project turned into a full house remodel in this Modern Craftsman home in Narberth, PA.. The addition included the creation of a sitting room, family room, mudroom and third floor. As we moved to the rest of the home, we designed and built a custom staircase to connect the family room to the existing kitchen. We laid red oak flooring with a mahogany inlay throughout house. Another central feature of this is home is all the built-in storage. We used or created every nook for seating and storage throughout the house, as you can see in the family room, dining area, staircase landing, bedroom and bathrooms. Custom wainscoting and trim are everywhere you look, and gives a clean, polished look to this warm house. Rudloff Custom Builders has won Best of Houzz for Customer Service in 2014, 2015 2016, 2017 and 2019. We also were voted Best of Design in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 which only 2% of professionals receive. Rudloff Custom Builders has been featured on Houzz in their Kitchen of the Week, What to Know About Using Reclaimed Wood in the Kitchen as well as included in their Bathroom WorkBook article. We are a full service, certified remodeling company that covers all of the Philadelphia suburban area. This business, like most others, developed from a friendship of young entrepreneurs who wanted to make a difference in their clients’ lives, one household at a time. This relationship between partners is much more than a friendship. Edward and Stephen Rudloff are brothers who have renovated and built custom homes together paying close attention to detail. They are carpenters by trade and understand concept and execution. Rudloff Custom Builders will provide services for you with the highest level of professionalism, quality, detail, punctuality and craftsmanship, every step of the way along our journey together. Specializing in residential construction allows us to connect with our clients early in the design phase to ensure that every detail is captured as you imagined. One stop shopping is essentially what you will receive with Rudloff Custom Builders from design of your project to the construction of your dreams, executed by on-site project managers and skilled craftsmen. Our concept: envision our client’s ideas and make them a reality. Our mission: CREATING LIFETIME RELATIONSHIPS BUILT ON TRUST AND INTEGRITY. Photo Credit: Linda McManus Images

A perfect blend of modern design and ruggedness, the cleverly architected Artisan 97 shed provides the ideal outdoor storage solution for your garden. The innovative DUOTECH™ walls are not only highly durable and weather resistant, but they also feature an attractive wood-like texture and paintable surface. Made with a steel-reinforced build, the shed comes with an extra strong roof that can withstand snow loads of up to 400 PSF and a heavy-duty floor that allows you to store even large equipment. The Artisan 97 also features double doors, windows, and a locking system.

Part of the Modin Vinyl Plank Collection, Available Exclusively From www.Flooret.com $3.49 / sq ft, 22.08 sq ft per box 50% WIDER. 25% LONGER. TWICE AS DURABLE Luxury Vinyl Plank, 5 mm x 9" x 60" (1.0 mm / 40 mil wear-layer) Lifetime Residential Warranty, 20 year Commercial Warranty Nordic simplicity. White floors can be challenging to use, but when pulled off correctly are extremely rewarding. An instant statement-maker, they often present the challenge of maintenance. For Nordland, we specifically created a slightly weathered pattern with darker knots, so that they do not reveal dirt as quickly. REDEFINING DURABILITY The most important specification for determining the durability of vinyl flooring is the thickness of the wear-layer. The best wear-layers are made of thick, clear virgin PVC, which covers the paper print-film that gives the floor its unique appearance. Once the wear-layer wears through, the paper is damaged and the floor will need replacement. Most vinyl floors come with a 8-12 mil wear-layer (0.2-3 mm). The top commercial specs in the industry are higher, at 20-22 mil (0.5 mm). A select few manufacturers offer a "super" commercial spec of 28 mil (0.7 mm). For Modin, we decided to set a new standard: 40 mil (1.0 mm) of premium virgin PVC. This allows us to offer an industry-leading 20 year Commercial Warranty (Lifetime Residential), compared to nearly all other commercial vinyl floors' 10 year Commercial Warranty. Beyond our superior wear-layer, we also use a patented click mechanism for superior hold, and a ceramic-bead coating. SIZE MATTERS Wider and longer planks create a sense of space and luxury. Most vinyl floors come in 6" or 7" widths, and 36" or 48" lengths. For Modin, we designed our planks to be 9" wide, and 60" long. This extra large size allows our gorgeous designs to be fully expressed. DETAILS THAT COUNT We made sure to get all the details right. Real texture, to create the feel of wire-brushed wood. Low sheen level, to ensure a natural look that wears well over time. 4-sided bevels, to more accurately emulate the look of real planks. When added together they help create the unique look that is Modin. DESIGNS THAT INSPIRE We spent nearly a year just focusing on our designs, to ensure they provide the right mix of color and depth. Focusing on timeless wire-brush and European Oak styles, as well as more contemporary modern washes, our collection offers truly beautiful design that is both functional and inspiring.

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional backyard deck remodel in Richmond with a fire pit

This old farmhouse (ca. late 18th century) has undergone many renovations over the years. Spring Creek Design added its stamp in 2008, with a small mudroom addition and a complete interior renovation. The addition encompasses a 1st floor mudroom with extensive cabinetry and closetry. Upon entering the space from the driveway, cabinet and countertop space is provided to accommodate incoming grocery bags. Next in line are a series of “lockers” and cubbies - just right for coats, hats and book bags. Further inside is a wrap-around window seat with cedar shoe racks beneath. A stainless steel dog feeding station rounds out the amenities - all built atop a natural Vermont slate floor. On the lower level, the addition features a full bathroom and a “Dude Pod” - a compact work and play space for the resident code monkey. Outfitted with a stand-up desk and an electronic drum kit, one needs only emerge for Mountain Dew refills and familial visits. Within the existing space, we added an ensuite bathroom for the third floor bedroom. The second floor bathroom and first floor powder room were also gutted and remodeled. The master bedroom was extensively remodeled - given a vaulted ceiling and a wall of floor-to-roof built-ins accessed with a rolling ladder. An extensive, multi-level deck and screen house was added to provide outdoor living space, with secure, dry storage below. Design Criteria: - Update house with a high sustainability standard. - Provide bathroom for daughters’ third floor bedroom. - Update remaining bathrooms - Update cramped, low ceilinged master bedroom - Provide mudroom/entryway solutions. - Provide a window seating space with good visibility of back and side yards – to keep an eye on the kids at play. - Replace old deck with a updated deck/screen porch combination. - Update sitting room with a wood stove and mantle. Special Features: - Insulated Concrete Forms used for Dude Pod foundation. - Soy-based spray foam insulation used in the addition and master bedroom. - Paperstone countertops in mudroom. - Zero-VOC paints and finishes used throughout the project. - All decking and trim for the deck/screen porch is made from 100% recycled HDPE (milk jugs, soda, water bottles) - High efficiency combination washer/dryer.

This residence is a renovation of a traditional landscape into a contemporary garden. Custom contemporary steel planters complement the steel detailing on the home and offer an opportunity to highlight unique native plant species. A large front yard living space offers easy socialization with this active neighborhood. The spectacular salvaged 15ft Organ Pipe Cactus grabs your eye as you enter the residence and anchors the contemporary garden. The back terrace has been designed to create inviting entertainment areas that overlook the golf course as well as protected private dining areas. A large family gathering spot is nestled between the pool and centered around the concrete fire pit. The relaxing spa has a negative edge that falls as a focal point towards the master bedroom. A secluded private dining area off of the kitchen incorporates a steel louver wall that can be opened and closed providing both privacy from adjacent neighbors and protection from the wind. Masses of succulents and cacti reinforce the structure of the home. Project Details: Architect: PHX Architecture Landscape Contractor: Premier Environments Photography: Sam Rosenbaum

Photo: Carolyn Reyes © 2015 Houzz Library, main house Design team: Jennifer Bevan Interiors
Elegant home office photo in Los Angeles

Craig Bergmann Landscape Design has an eye for detail. As a design firm with a high level of horticultural expertise, we choose the right plant for the right place, allowing your investment to thrive and flourish. Consider our services for the design, installation and care of your seasonal plantings, container gardens, and next special event. Photography by Linda Oyama Bryan

'Jade' green beans growing in a window box. With the right organic soil mix and plenty of water, green beans can thrive in window boxes or other containers. Photo by Steve Masley

Nathan Padilla Bowen
Kitchen - coastal kitchen idea in San Diego

Huge re-model including taking ceiling from a flat ceiling to a complete transformation. Bamboo custom cabinetry was given a grey stain, mixed with walnut strip on the bar and the island given a different stain. Huge amounts of storage from deep pan corner drawers, roll out trash, coffee station, built in refrigerator, wine and alcohol storage, appliance garage, pantry and appliance storage, the amounts go on and on. Floating shelves with a back that just grabs the eye takes this kitchen to another level. The clients are thrilled with this huge difference from their original space.