While this new home had an architecturally striking exterior, the home’s interior fell short in terms of true functionality and overall style. The most critical element in the home’s renovation was the kitchen and dining area, which needed careful attention to bring it to the level that suited the home and the homeowners. The concept and vision of Abby Smith, Abby Smith Design, was brought to life by collaboration with The Kitchen Source to elicit thoughtful space-planning and great attention to the necessary details. Having trained in the culinary arts, the homeowner wanted a kitchen that “feels like a restaurant,” where guests can gather over great food, great wine, and truly feel comfortable in the open concept home. The use of natural materials, textures, and finishes beautifully contrasts the professional appliances and industrial elements sought after by the homeowners. The dining area addition, enclosed by windows, continues to vivify the organic elements and brings in ample natural light, enhancing the darker finishes. This collaborative effort proved to be successful in producing a truly custom and elegant space that finally gave life to this modern home. Photography - Lemuel Walsh

Custom handmade reclaimed lumber desk. Lumber is sourced and milled in California then hand stained. Legs are made of laser cut hand welded steel which is then hand patinaed. Can be made in any size, finish is food safe and can be used as a dining table.

Photographed by Piston Design
Cottage kitchen photo in Austin

Sebastian and Tanja DiGrande's quest for natural light and open, modern design led them to Klopf Architecture in San Francisco. Working hand-in-hand with homeowner/designer Tanja DiGrande, Klopf collaborated on a modern addition to the rear of a traditional-style home. The idea was to depart from the original style completely to draw a distinction between the original house and any later additions, as well as observe a very minimal, clean, gallery-like modern style against which changing daylight, art, furniture, and of course the people provide the color and motion. With its dark gray stuccoed walls, dark steel railing, and floor-to-ceiling windows, the exterior of the addition is at the same time an open, modern box as well as a receding volume that acts almost as a backdrop for the house, receding visually out of respect for the original home. From the interior, windows bring in nature and views from all around the lush property. They also allow views of the original house. Up on the roof deck the views magnify. The owners use a boom and crank to bring up food and drinks when entertaining! Inside, the simple clean-lined spaces showcase the couple’s minimal, modern taste. The open bathroom epitomizes the clean, minimal style of the addition. On the exterior, steel elements bring a more industrial modern feeling to the addition from the rear. Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf, AIA, Geoff Campen, and Angela Todorova Co-Designer: Tanja DiGrande Contractor: Jose Ramirez & J-C General Contractors Inc. Photography ©2015 Mariko Reed Location: Orinda, CA Year completed: 2014

NanDro manufactures and installs environmentally-friendly protective shields, sealants and concrete materials. Our coatings, sealers and materials can be used to defend your surface from harmful environmental elements as well as everyday wear and tear! NanDro also is an applicator and can coat your products in house or out in the field. NanDro Concrete Shield protects concrete and masonry surfaces from multiple destructive forces. Unprotected concrete surfaces can be damaged by water, salt spray, acid from food/beverages & waste, gum, graffiti, and chloride ion. When coated, the concrete surface will not only be protected from these damaging elements, but will also be aesthetically enhanced with a peel and flake resistant gloss or satin finish. NanDro Wood Shield is the all in one solution for protecting your everyday wooden surfaces. It protects from UV damage, acid etching, water spots, moisture and other natural decay. These features make it ideal for use not only in the home, but also in industries such as restaurants, marinas, decks, furniture, and the rest of the great outdoors. NanDro Metal Shield is ideal for protecting, and preserving metal surfaces under various conditions. It provides protection against all types of corrosion from water, salt spray, chemical exposure, as well as other damaging environmental elements. Due to its anti-corrosion properties, the Metal Coat also eliminates the need to polish easily tarnished metals, such as aluminum, copper, and brass. It also provides UV protection for the metal surface and reduces ice adhesion. Also available is the NanDro Stainless Steel Coating.

Breakfast area, doors into new pantry.
Example of a mid-sized transitional porcelain tile kitchen/dining room combo design in San Francisco

Bernard Andre'
Dining room - rustic dining room idea in San Francisco

Custom made Moroccan tile stair runner selected by Natasha Kozlowski of Natasha K Design t: 514-831-7172 info@natashakdesign.com www.natashakdesign.com

Store food or dining items on this attractive, industrial bakery rack. Five shelves give you plenty of storage space, and the wheels make it easy to transport. Industrial casters and Heirloom finished shelves give this bakery rack a polished and unique look. It is perfect for storage and is also an attractive piece for your dining room or kitchen.

Caitlin Mogridge
Inspiration for a small eclectic master white tile and ceramic tile concrete floor and white floor bathroom remodel in London with furniture-like cabinets, white cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, a console sink, tile countertops, a hinged shower door and gray countertops

Architect Dalius Regelskis DGD / Dalius & Greta Design Vilnius, Lithuania
Example of an eclectic kitchen design in Other

A two-level pergola, circular firepit area and outdoor kitchen with a charcoal-gas combo grill star in this Houston patio addition designed for entertaining large crowds in style. "The client was an attorney with a passion for cooking and entertaining," says the project's principal designer, Lisha Maxey of LGH Designs. "Her main objective with this space was to create a large area for 10 to 20 guests, including seating and the prep and cooking of meals." Located in the backyard of the client's home in Spring, TX, this beautiful outdoor living and entertaining space includes a 28-by-12-foot patio with Fantastico silver travertine tile flooring, arranged in a Versailles pattern. The walkway is Oklahoma wister flagstone. Providing filtered shade for the patio is a two-level pergola of treated pine stained honey gold. The larger, higher tier is about 18 by 10 feet; the smaller, lower tier is about 10 feet square. "We covered the entire pergola with Lexan - a high-quality, clear acrylic sheet that provides protection from the sun, heat and rain," says Outdoor Homescapes of Houston owner Wayne Franks. Beneath the lower tier of the pergola sits an L-shaped, 12-by-9-foot outdoor kitchen island faced with Carmel Country ledgestone. The island houses a Fire Magic® combination charcoal-gas grill and lowered power burner, a Pacific Living countertop pizza oven and a stainless steel RCS trash drawer and sink. The countertops and raised bar are Fantastico silver travertine (18-square-inch tiles) and the backsplash is real quartz. "The most unique design item of this kitchen area is the hexagon/circular table we added to the end of the long bar," says Lisha. This enabled the client to add seating for her dining guests." Under the higher, larger tier of the pergola is a seating area, made up of a coffee table and espresso-colored rattan sofa and club chairs with spring-green-and-white cushions. "Lighting also plays an important role in this space, since the client often entertains in the evening," says Wayne. Enter the chandelier over the patio seating arrangement and - over the outdoor kitchen - pendant lamps and an industrial-modern ceiling fan with a light fixture in the center. "It's important to layer your lighting for ambiance, security and safety - from an all-over ambient light that fills the space to under-the-counter task lighting for food prep and cooking to path and retaining wall lighting." Off the patio is a transition area of crushed granite and floating flagstone pavers, leading to a circular firepit area of stamped concrete. At the center of this circle is the standalone firepit, framed at the back by a curved stone bench. The walls of the bench and column bases for the pergola, by the way, are the same ledgestone as the kitchen island. The top slab on the bench is a hearth piece of manmade stone. "I think the finish materials blend with the home really well," says Wayne. "We met her objectives of being able to entertain with 10 to 12 to 20 people at one time and being able to cook with charcoal and gas separately in one unit. And of course, the project was on time, on budget." "It is truly a paradise," says the client in her Houzz review of the project. "They listened to my vision and incorporated their expertise to create an outdoor living space just perfect for me and my family!"

Complementary styles can strengthen your kitchen’s overall look, while opposites can produce an attractive transitional design. This kitchen shakes it up with a mix of Wellborn’s cabinetry using the Chelsea and Antigua door styles. The wall cabinetry is the Chelsea door style in Maple with the newly launched Suede stain. The island’s cabinetry is the Chelsea door style in Maple with the newly launched Mink paint. The lower base cabinetry is the Antigua door style in Maple with the newly launched Shale stain.

A two-level pergola, circular firepit area and outdoor kitchen with a charcoal-gas combo grill star in this Houston patio addition designed for entertaining large crowds in style. "The client was an attorney with a passion for cooking and entertaining," says the project's principal designer, Lisha Maxey of LGH Designs. "Her main objective with this space was to create a large area for 10 to 20 guests, including seating and the prep and cooking of meals." Located in the backyard of the client's home in Spring, TX, this beautiful outdoor living and entertaining space includes a 28-by-12-foot patio with Fantastico silver travertine tile flooring, arranged in a Versailles pattern. The walkway is Oklahoma wister flagstone. Providing filtered shade for the patio is a two-level pergola of treated pine stained honey gold. The larger, higher tier is about 18 by 10 feet; the smaller, lower tier is about 10 feet square. "We covered the entire pergola with Lexan - a high-quality, clear acrylic sheet that provides protection from the sun, heat and rain," says Outdoor Homescapes of Houston owner Wayne Franks. Beneath the lower tier of the pergola sits an L-shaped, 12-by-9-foot outdoor kitchen island faced with Carmel Country ledgestone. The island houses a Fire Magic® combination charcoal-gas grill and lowered power burner, a Pacific Living countertop pizza oven and a stainless steel RCS trash drawer and sink. The countertops and raised bar are Fantastico silver travertine (18-square-inch tiles) and the backsplash is real quartz. "The most unique design item of this kitchen area is the hexagon/circular table we added to the end of the long bar," says Lisha. This enabled the client to add seating for her dining guests." Under the higher, larger tier of the pergola is a seating area, made up of a coffee table and espresso-colored rattan sofa and club chairs with spring-green-and-white cushions. "Lighting also plays an important role in this space, since the client often entertains in the evening," says Wayne. Enter the chandelier over the patio seating arrangement and - over the outdoor kitchen - pendant lamps and an industrial-modern ceiling fan with a light fixture in the center. "It's important to layer your lighting for ambiance, security and safety - from an all-over ambient light that fills the space to under-the-counter task lighting for food prep and cooking to path and retaining wall lighting." Off the patio is a transition area of crushed granite and floating flagstone pavers, leading to a circular firepit area of stamped concrete. At the center of this circle is the standalone firepit, framed at the back by a curved stone bench. The walls of the bench and column bases for the pergola, by the way, are the same ledgestone as the kitchen island. The top slab on the bench is a hearth piece of manmade stone. "I think the finish materials blend with the home really well," says Wayne. "We met her objectives of being able to entertain with 10 to 12 to 20 people at one time and being able to cook with charcoal and gas separately in one unit. And of course, the project was on time, on budget." "It is truly a paradise," says the client in her Houzz review of the project. "They listened to my vision and incorporated their expertise to create an outdoor living space just perfect for me and my family!"

The best interior designers & architects in NYC! Residential interior design, Common area design, Hospitality design, Exterior design, Commercial design - any interior or architectural design basically from a unique design team :) Our goal is to provide clients in Manhattan, New York, New Jersey & beyond with outstanding architectural & interior design services and installation management through a unique approach and unparalleled work quality. Our mission is to create Dream Homes that change people's lives! Working with us is a simple two step process - Design & Installation. The core is that all our design ideas (interior design of an apartment, restaurant, hotel design or architectural design of a building) are presented through exceptionally realistic images, delivering the exact look of your future interior/exterior, before you commit to investing. The Installation then abides to the paradigm of 'What I See Is What I Get', replicating the approved design. All together it gives you full control and eliminates the risk of having an unsatisfactory end product - no other interior designer or architect can offer. Our team's passion, talent & professionalism brings you the best possible result, while our client-oriented philosophy & determination to make the process easy & convenient, saves you great deal of time and concern. In short, this is Design as it Should be... Other services: Lobby design, Store & storefront design, Hotel design, Restaurant design, House design www.vanguard-development.com

when you have the perfect spot why not build an outdoor paradise. this one has it all beautiful pool, spa, outdoor kitchen including a fridge, state of the art grill and hood, sink, an island for serving great food and cool drinks and lots of space for seating and just hanging out and watching the TV lots of space for parties and an incredible outdoor fire pit with surround seating. Who would ever want to come inside Since 1984, Jonathan McGrath Construction, a design build custom builder and remodeling company has provided solutions for their client's building needs in the Central Florida area. Jack McGrath, State Certified Building Contractor, applies his extensive custom building and remodeling expertise, creative design concepts and passion for transformation to every project and has earned a reputation for being a true remodeling specialist and custom home builder. Recognized for excellence in the building industry, Jonathan McGrath Construction, has been the recipient of multiple Parade of Homes, MAME and Chrysalis awards. They also received the prestigious ‘Big 50′ Award from Remodeling Magazine for their outstanding business expertise, exemplary customer services and their ability to stand as a dynamic company role model for the building and remodeling industry. In addition, the company has won numerous other local and national awards. The company supports their local, state and national building association. Marion McGrath served as the 2011 President of the Home Builder's Association of Orlando (HBA) now known as the Orlando Builder's Association (GOBA). She was the second woman and remodeler to serve as President in the association's 60 year history.

This kitchen remodel in Olney showcases a transitional design that balances clean, modern lines with a warm, inviting atmosphere. The space is anchored by a large, multi-functional center island and a bright, monochromatic color palette. Cabinetry and Hardware • Style: The kitchen features white Shaker-style cabinetry that extends to the ceiling, maximizing storage and creating a sense of height in the room. • Hardware: A bold contrast is achieved using matte black linear pulls on both the drawers and cabinets, providing a modern, industrial touch to the traditional door style. Countertops and Backsplash • Surfaces: The countertops are a polished white quartz with subtle gray veining, offering a durable and sleek workspace. • Backsplash: A classic white subway tile backsplash is used throughout, featuring a glossy finish that reflects the under-cabinet LED lighting. Key Features and Appliances • Center Island: The oversized island serves as the heart of the kitchen, housing a gas cooktop and providing ample space for food preparation and casual dining. It also features integrated electrical outlets and deep drawer storage. • High-End Appliances: The layout includes a professional-grade stainless steel double wall oven and a built-in refrigerator, seamlessly integrated into the cabinetry. • Wet Bar/Coffee Station: A dedicated beverage area includes a wine cooler, additional storage, and plenty of counter space for a coffee maker and accessories. Lighting and Flooring • Illumination: The design utilizes a layered lighting plan, including recessed ceiling lights, under-cabinet task lighting, and a modern industrial chandelier over the adjacent dining table. • Flooring: The cool tones of the cabinetry and counters are balanced by warm-toned hardwood flooring, which runs throughout the open-concept space.

Permaculture Orchard, Natick MA 3-1/2 months old. Complete regenerating ecosystem of food production. Also known as a "food forest" meaning in the example of mother nature there is no tilling, weeding is minimal to none as plantings are intentionally condensed to provide nutrients and weed control to each other. Since the industrial revolution monoculture taught us to grow one massive crop for profit. Mother nature rules as there is minimal maintenance after 5-6 years of establishing the succession plantings. Things take time but with a good investment of your time and effort upfront will give you returns for the lifetime of the site as all perennial fruit,vegetable, and medicinal plants that require no fertilizers or pesticides.