Example of a mid-sized transitional stone patio design in Philadelphia with no cover

Robert Canfield Photography
1950s open concept living room photo in San Francisco

This small tract home backyard was transformed into a lively breathable garden. A new outdoor living room was created, with silver-grey brazilian slate flooring, and a smooth integral pewter colored concrete wall defining and retaining earth around it. A water feature is the backdrop to this outdoor room extending the flooring material (slate) into the vertical plane covering a wall that houses three playful stainless steel spouts that spill water into a large basin. Koi Fish, Gold fish and water plants bring a new mini ecosystem of life, and provide a focal point and meditational environment. The integral colored concrete wall begins at the main water feature and weaves to the south west corner of the yard where water once again emerges out of a 4” stainless steel channel; reinforcing the notion that this garden backs up against a natural spring. The stainless steel channel also provides children with an opportunity to safely play with water by floating toy boats down the channel. At the north eastern end of the integral colored concrete wall, a warm western red cedar bench extends perpendicular out from the water feature on the outside of the slate patio maximizing seating space in the limited size garden. Natural rusting Cor-ten steel fencing adds a layer of interest throughout the garden softening the 6’ high surrounding fencing and helping to carry the users eye from the ground plane up past the fence lines into the horizon; the cor-ten steel also acts as a ribbon, tie-ing the multiple spaces together in this garden. The plant palette uses grasses and rushes to further establish in the subconscious that a natural water source does exist. Planting was performed outside of the wire fence to connect the new landscape to the existing open space; this was successfully done by using perennials and grasses whose foliage matches that of the native hillside, blurring the boundary line of the garden and aesthetically extending the backyard up into the adjacent open space.

Design by Karen Kassen CMKBD, Allied ASID
Inspiration for a timeless kitchen remodel in Other with granite countertops

Landscape by Gardens by Gabriel; Fire Bowl and Water Feature by Wells Concrete Works; Radial bench by TM Lewis Construction
Example of a mid-sized minimalist backyard concrete patio fountain design in San Luis Obispo with no cover

Kitchen - contemporary kitchen idea in Boston with paneled appliances, marble countertops, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, an undermount sink, matchstick tile backsplash and gray backsplash

Backyard waterfall in Connecticut by Matthew Giampietro of Waterfalls Fountains & Gardens Inc.
This is an example of a large traditional partial sun backyard stone waterfall in Miami for spring.

Edward Caruso
Example of a large minimalist formal and open concept light wood floor and beige floor living room design in New York with white walls, a stone fireplace, a two-sided fireplace and no tv

Kerri Fukkai
Kitchen - modern l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen idea in Salt Lake City with flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, stainless steel countertops, metallic backsplash, paneled appliances and an island

Large contemporary beige two-story glass house exterior idea in Los Angeles

Kitchen - rustic l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen idea in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, red backsplash, brick backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   The homeowners came to us looking to update the kitchen in their historic 1897 home. The home had gone through an extensive renovation several years earlier that added a master bedroom suite and updates to the front façade. The kitchen however was not part of that update and a prior 1990’s update had left much to be desired. The client is an avid cook, and it was just not very functional for the family. The original kitchen was very choppy and included a large eat in area that took up more than its fair share of the space. On the wish list was a place where the family could comfortably congregate, that was easy and to cook in, that feels lived in and in check with the rest of the home’s décor. They also wanted a space that was not cluttered and dark – a happy, light and airy room. A small powder room off the space also needed some attention so we set out to include that in the remodel as well. See that arch in the neighboring dining room? The homeowner really wanted to make the opening to the dining room an arch to match, so we incorporated that into the design. Another unfortunate eyesore was the state of the ceiling and soffits. Turns out it was just a series of shortcuts from the prior renovation, and we were surprised and delighted that we were easily able to flatten out almost the entire ceiling with a couple of little reworks. Other changes we made were to add new windows that were appropriate to the new design, which included moving the sink window over slightly to give the work zone more breathing room. We also adjusted the height of the windows in what was previously the eat-in area that were too low for a countertop to work. We tried to keep an old island in the plan since it was a well-loved vintage find, but the tradeoff for the function of the new island was not worth it in the end. We hope the old found a new home, perhaps as a potting table. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Transitional light wood floor kitchen photo in Miami with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, beige backsplash and matchstick tile backsplash

This bright and beautiful modern farmhouse kitchen incorporates a beautiful custom made wood hood with white upper cabinets and a dramatic black base cabinet from Kraftmaid.

Melissa Day
Example of a mid-century modern loft-style medium tone wood floor living room design in Portland with black walls

Entry, outdoor bridge
Inspiration for a large timeless brown two-story wood gable roof remodel in Other

Matthew Niemann Photography
Example of a transitional u-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen design in Austin with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, gray backsplash, paneled appliances, an island, white countertops, quartz countertops and white cabinets

Patio - large tropical backyard concrete paver patio idea in Orange County with a pergola

Master Bedroom
Bedroom - contemporary medium tone wood floor bedroom idea in San Francisco with white walls and a ribbon fireplace