Rich and Janet approached us looking to downsize their home and move to Corvallis to live closer to family. They were drawn to our passion for passive solar and energy-efficient building, as they shared this same passion. They were fortunate to purchase a 1050 sf house with three bedrooms and 1 bathroom right next door to their daughter and her family. While the original 55-year-old residence was characterized by an outdated floor plan, low ceilings, limited daylight, and a barely insulated outdated envelope, the existing foundations and floor framing system were in good condition. Consequently, the owners, working in tandem with us and their architect, decided to preserve and integrate these components into a fully transformed modern new house that embodies the perfect symbiosis of energy efficiency, functionality, comfort and beauty. With the expert participation of our designer Sarah, homeowners Rich and Janet selected the interior finishes of the home, blending lush materials, textures, and colors together to create a stunning home next door to their daughter’s family. The successful completion of this wonderful project resulted in a vibrant blended-family compound where the two families and three generations can now mingle and share the joy of life with each other.

This Carmel Valley complete remodel truly defines an open-concept living space that is elegant, functional, and full of beautiful finishes. Taking center stage in the kitchen is a gorgeous, large island that features cabinetry in a very on-trend jewel toned blue hue that perfectly accents the primary palette of white and grey throughout the rest of the space. Other beautiful details include the custom hood, walk-in pantry, and the unique marbled mosaic subway tiled backsplash. Subtle brass fixtures and accents accentuate the modern feel while top of the line appliances add the finishing touch for this home chef. Fortunately, one of the best benefits of living in southern California are the mild temperatures that make it possible to enjoy outdoor living spaces nearly year-round. The addition of a large sliding door in the family room expanded this client’s access to a lovely outdoor patio and eating area, complete with recessed heating for cooler months, while a beautiful custom fireplace/entertainment center created the perfect spot for the whole family to enjoy.

A new-to-me realtor calls Tuesday mid-day asking about my services. The phone call quickly turned into a 'yes' but I mentioned unless I do this 'tomorrow', it couldn't get done until next week Tuesday or Wednesday due to other obligations. It's in Cayucos, which poses another issue - do I make the trip up to preview (it's an hour away, do I have time), or can I get what I need off of the internet? AND we had rain to contend with... it's never easy to stage in the rain. Fortunately I'm a very spatially-minded person and could make my plans based on the existing internet photos. A girl needs her plans! So Wednesday, between the spurts of rain, my sons and I spend all morning packing for this stage, and Wednesday afternoon / into evening my sons and I head out, unload, and stage this beautiful.... no..... GORGEOUS home ON THE WATER in Cayucos. WOW!!! The boys told me upon arrival: 'We should buy this!' I'm thinking the same thing! So, in retrospect, this stage was a vacant, sight-unseen home, and within about 24 hours went from realtor request to stage-done status. Please forgive the darkness of the photos, it was 6:30 at night when we were done, it was dark!

'Blue Fortune' agastache softens the edge of the bird bath. Westhauser Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized asian partial sun front yard mulch water fountain landscape in Milwaukee for summer.

These clients win the award for ‘Most Jarrett Design Projects in One Home’! We consider ourselves extremely fortunate to have been able to work with these kind folks so consistently over the years. The most recent project features their master bath, a room they have been wanting to tackle for many years. We think it was well worth the wait! It started off as an outdated space with an enormous platform tub open to the bedroom featuring a large round column. The open concept was inspired by island homes long ago, but it was time for some privacy. The water closet, shower and linen closet served the clients well, but the tub and vanities had to be updated with storage improvements desired. The clients also wanted to add organized spaces for clothing, shoes and handbags. Swapping the large tub for a dainty freestanding tub centered on the new window, cleared space for gorgeous his and hers vanities and armoires flanking the tub. The area where the old double vanity existed was transformed into personalized storage closets boasting beautiful custom mirrored doors. The bathroom floors and shower surround were replaced with classic white and grey materials. Handmade vessel sinks and faucets add a rich touch. Soft brass wire doors are the highlight of a freestanding custom armoire created to house handbags adding more convenient storage and beauty to the bedroom. Star sconces, bell jar fixture, wallpaper and window treatments selected by the homeowner with the help of the talented Lisa Abdalla Interiors provide the finishing traditional touches for this sanctuary. Jacqueline Powell Photography

Chic is a French word associated with stylishness, while Rustic means related to, or suitable for the country.Together, Rustic Chic is an interior design alchemy, the chic suggesting culture, fashion and trendiness, while the Rustic element idealizes a natural pastoral charm. This style tends to reclaim the old, and reinvent materials characterized by imperfect finishes. Rough-hewn finishes, marks, divots, scratches and imperfections are purposeful. The materials themselves often provide historical reference (either real or imagined) and are incorporated to balance hardness (think steel, iron and brick) with the softness of modern furniture and softgoods. Exposed brick walls can be a key component of this look, but wallpapers can do the job if you aren’t fortunate enough to have the real thing. Scaffold planks, exposed conduit, timber and fencing can be added to create a depth of character; and when paired with modern styled furnishings and accoutrements – this is a fresh, nostalgic minded trend that we’ll be seeing well through 2020.

This fall, Amethyst had the opportunity to partner with Freeman Custom Homes of Kansas City to furnish this 5000 sq ft European Modern designed home for the Artisan Home Tour 2020! Every square inch of this home was magical -- from the secret staircase in the master bath leading to a private shuttered plunge pool to the vaulted kitchen with sky high mushroom colored cabinetry and handmade zellige tile. We met the builders during the cabinetry phase and watching their final, thoughtful design details evolve was such full of over-the-top surprises like the unique valet-like storage in the entry and limestone fireplace! As soon as we saw their vision for the home, we knew our furnishings would be a great match as our design style celebrates handmade rugs, artisan handmade custom seating, old-meets-new art, and let's be honest -- we love to go big! They trusted us to do our thing on the entire main level and we enjoyed every minute. The load in took 3 full trucks and fortunately for us -- the homeowners fell in love with several pieces so our uninstall trip was significantly lighter. I think we were all a little emotional leaving this masterpiece but sooooo happy for the owners and just hoping we get invited to a Christmas party... Here are some of the highlights -- 90% of the furnishings and rugs were from our shop and we filled in the gaps with some extra special pieces!

Alloy was truly fortunate to have the opportunity to restore and renovate this 1850’s log cabin at Afton Mountain. No home looks more at home than this cabin in the foothills. The cabin suffered years of decay and an unsympathetic interior renovation so our first step was to work with a local log cabin specialist to correctly restore the structure. We then rebuilt much of the interior to have everything a modern home needs while staying true to the log cabin aesthetic. On all of our projects we carefully research materials and finishes but this one really took that to the next level. We enjoyed the challenge and the chance to show off the impressive craftsmanship of our carpenters. As you approach on the winding path, the log cabin feels like a part of the landscape. And now, when you come inside, you can keep that connected feeling – in comfort.

Prato is an artfully inspired, cut and loop carpet that features a random gradation of color and texture variation. Its sophisticated styling and unique design creates dimension and interest on the floor. Prato, which is part of the Artisan Collection, is made of STAINMASTER® Luxerell® nylon fiber and part of the Active Family™ brand.It is available in a palette of thirty stunning hues that coordinate with the other Artisan styles. Prato is perfect for wall-to-wall installations, staircases, and area rugs.

Based on her experience with several renovation projects, the owner reflects that “renovations always take longer and cost more than what you first think. That’s just the reality of renovations. You’re going to find stuff along the way. You learn to prepare for that. Having said that, there weren’t really any surprises with this project.” She also appreciates the collaborative approach that Way-Mar brings to a project. “Way-Mar always gives options and explains the differences - taking into consideration your personal preferences and priorities.” Early on with this home, the owners worked with different contractors and got several quotes to help choose the best company. She says they learned the “hard way” that not all contractors are the same. A few times it looked like a good job was done on the surface but things were done poorly or incorrectly and had to be redone. The couple feels fortunate to have connected with Way-Mar early on.“Way-Mar stands out in their commitment to customer service and quality. That’s worth a lot. We have built up a lot of trust over the years so we are never concerned that we are getting ripped off or if the work will be done right. I feel they always offer a fair price and we get excellent value for our money.” “We’ve built a good long-term relationship so they know us pretty well. Way-Mar makes suggestions based on what they think is most suitable for us. We’re always happy with the results.” photo: jeff brubacher

This project was part of the Estate Butler division. Terrain was fortunate enough to purchase this home which had been kept preserved in its original form but needed a refresh and modernization. We worked to keep the mid-century style intact and bring it back to its former shine. The original owner had built a custom, below-ground bomb bunker. Terrain added an outdoor party area to the bunker for year-round use.

A wonderful place to sit, relax and read. No need to spend a fortune on expensive, custom treatments. Most "off the shelf" treatments are not long enough for today's windows. We created semi-custom treatments by adding a band of contrasting color on the bottom (my favorite design trick). Perfect! Charisse Holder TRANSFORMATIONS

Updated Spec Home: Basement Living Area I promised you there would be a Season 2 of our series Updated Spec Home and here it is – Basement Family Room. My mom and sister found themselves spending more and more time in this room because it was a great open space to watch television and hang out with my sister’s two border collies. Color Scheme We pulled our color scheme from a floral fabric that they saw on a chair at my store, and we used it to reupholster their existing wood accent chairs. We used pops of turquoise and green throughout the space including the long back wall which was perfect to make a feature with this vibrant wallpaper in a geometric design. Defining the Space The room was so large that we needed to define different areas. The large rug in the oversized pattern was perfect for the seating area. Lighting Since there is only one small window bringing natural light into the space, we painted the remaining walls a light warm gray (Sherwin Williams’ City Loft SW7631) and added several table lamps and a floor lamp for task lighting. Reusing Existing Furniture Fortunately the space was large enough so my sister could keep her fabulous worn leather chair and ottoman and my mom could have an upholstered chair and ottoman in a subtle blue and green tweed. The large hallway leading to the storage area was the perfect place for these small bookcases which house family photos in various silver frames. The bookcases have a special place in our hearts – they belonged to my grandparents. We accessorized with a long painted box which was the perfect scale for the bookcases and a grouping of vibrant botanical prints. In lieu of a conventional media cabinet, my mom and sister found this one with a built-in fireplace. It brings a lot of warmth into the space – literally! Painted Furniture We had Kelly Sisler of Kelly Faux Creations paint their existing glass front cabinet this awesome apple green. Accessories include turquoise floral vases, a metallic circular vase, and a beautiful floral print. Reading Nook We positioned this original oil painting in the landing so it would be visible from the seating area. The landing was the perfect spot to display my sister’s collection of art glass. I love the small reading nook created with this rattan wooden accent chair and lantern floor lamp. We were able to make good use of the ledge in the stairwell by leaning these vibrant watercolors. The dogs even have their own space. Meet my two “nephews” – Dill and Atticus (the one with his back to us pouting). We used this colorful oversized canvas to define their space and break up the long wall. As you know, one good thing leads to another. Be sure to tune in next week for a surprise addition to this Updated Spec Home. In the meantime, check out this Basement Family Room designed by Robin’s Nest Interiors. Enjoy!

30 Years of Construction Experience in the Bay Area | Best of Houzz! We are a passionate, family owned/operated local business in the Bay Area, California. At Lavan Construction, we create a fresh and fit environment with over 30 years of experience in building and construction in both domestic and international markets. We have a unique blend of leadership combining expertise in construction contracting and management experience from Fortune 500 companies. We commit to deliver you a world class experience within your budget and timeline while maintaining trust and transparency. At Lavan Construction, we believe relationships are the main component of any successful business and we stand by our motto: “Trust is the foundation we build on.”

This historic restoration and renovation was the cover story for the September / October 2015 issue of Design New England. Working with skilled craftsmen, we salvaged a derelict house and brought it into the 21st century. We were fortunate to design all aspects of the home, from architecture to interiors to the landscape plan!

Scott Buley, High Tech Turf & Trees, Rain Garden Nursery, LandscapeMakeover.biz These nearly new perennial ryegrass and Turf-Type Tall Fescue lawns were complete success. Unfortunately, despite everyone's best efforts, the new septic drainfield on this new home failed, and we had to remove the sod to allow their building contractor's installer to re-do the drain field Fortunately the sod had grown in so well in just 6 short months, we were able to cut the sod off and re-use it elsewhere on the property. The following photos, and more on the bottom of this project, show just how successful this new grass variety has been. All the lawn above this line was removed with this sod cutter.

An amazing transformation to a bedroom does not have to cost a fortune. As the author of Rock Your Rental, I share ideas how make your vacation rental or boutique hospitality location stand out.

This enclosed kitchen is a stylish, contemporary space that proves that a beautiful, kitchen design can be achieved in a smaller space without spending a fortune. The dark wood shaker style kitchen cabinets from Medallion Cabinetry with Top Knobs hardware set the tone for this room, giving it a sophisticated edge. The cabinets are offset by a light-colored laminate countertop that is paired with a Karran stainless undermount sink specifically designed for laminate tops. The modern faucet from Delta adds a stylish and practical accent to the design, and the Virginia Tile backsplash with a mosaic border brings the color scheme together.

Beginning with the simple wish by the owners for a garden into which they could peer from above, this design unfolded in complexities. Situated along Taylor Run creek in a hollow adjoining Natural Lands' Stroud Preserve, plantings had to meet the physical demands of heavy weed pressure and frequent flooding. Grand masses of adaptable perennials, such as Hibiscus moschuetos, Aster tartaricus and Agastache 'Blue Fortune', were selected for their ability to colonize rapidly, edge out weed infiltration and maintain form after submergence. A heavy hand was given to the composition to legibly knit design with the natural landscape.