We contracted with Chester County Kitchen and Bath (CCKAB) to completely renovate our master bathroom first, followed by a complete kitchen renovation and the building of a family room addition off the kitchen. John Noland, the VP at CCKAB for such project development, was simply fantastic. He spent many hours with us, discussing our ideas of what we wanted the house to look like, and then he produced outstanding overall technical designs for each project before we ever signed the contract. John used his design software to develop dramatic and really useful drawings and graphic depictions of each aspect of the different projects; these drawings enabled us to refine the different projects over several weeks. John's initial cost estimates were spot-on, as was his proposed project timeline. When we added major changes to the original designs, John worked with us and the general (sub)contractor to incorporate the changes to the overall project without bursting the budget or blowing the timeline. John's able deputy, Stacy Nass, was simply amazing as the Project Manager. She juggled the scheduling of subcontractors, suppliers, cabinetry, appliance installation, etc. with aplomb and professionalism, and it was principally due to her careful attention to detail that the projects ran so smoothly and finished on time. The technical expertise of John, Stacy, and the rest of the staff at CCKAB are matched by their warm interpersonal skills. Having heard all the horror stories from friends about contractors they've used for home projects, we consider ourselves fortunate to have hired the folks from Chester County Kitchen and Bath. In the end, we were so very impressed with the final results - John and Stacy and their many collaborators really did help us create our dream home.

As master of the perfect mix, LaMont Bynum can magically transform a raw space or breathe new life into what already exists. His education in interior design combined with his penchant for problem solving and passion for transforming lives led to him following his calling to become a designer. Lamont thrives on working with clients to refine a vision and make it reality. He believes happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present. LaMont is a native of Suffolk, VA, a small town with a rich heritage. A Southern gentleman, he developed an eye for color, good design and great style early on. He grew up in a family whose love for interior design led to friendly family design competitions. The “creative types” who raised him served as his primary source of inspiration. A graduate of Howard University, Lamont worked in hospitality sales and marketing before opening Rite At Home, Atlanta‘s premier consignment furniture boutique, in 2012. He serves on the Board of Directors for Rebuilding Together Atlanta, an organization working to ensure that low-income homeowners — particularly older adults, military veterans, people with disabilities and families with children — are able to live in warmth, safety and independence. Also, he chairs the Board of Directors for the Adamsville Business and Community Partnership. Lamont is always looking for ways to impact communities through engagement and design. He has worked with Fortune 500 companies to develop their work and fun spaces for employees and even designed their CEO’s personal living spaces. LaMont believes no project is too small or too big, everyone deserves an environment conducive to dream, relax and make life happen. With timeless, sophisticated taste, LaMont’s design style is classy, inviting, and also incredibly detail oriented. His ability to transform both residential homes and commercial projects by layering rich textures, colors, and fabrics has placed him on Atlanta’s Top 25 Designer List four times.

This project consisted of The Grand Staircase in Allen Field House at the University of Kansas and 2 staircases in the adjoining DeBruce center. We went way out of our comfort zone on this project! We created and installed concrete stair treads that were colored and polished with exposed aggregate. The Grand Staircase consisted of nearly 500 square feet of precast concrete. The landing pieces ranged in size from 2 feet by 9 feet to 5.5 feet by 9 feet. After the precast pieces were finished, they were transported from Lenexa to Lawrence, then carefully placed via forklift. The 1 foot by 9 foot stair treads were placed by hand, all 20 of them. In the DeBruce Center, which houses Dr. Naismith’s Original Rules Of Basketball, we completed 2 stairwells that covered 3 stories each. These pieces were much smaller than the Field House stairs, measuring only 2″ thick by 5 foot wide. While these were easier to handle, we created 120 pieces for this half of the project, totaling nearly 500 square feet. While this took us out of our comfort zone, it was an incredible project and we were fortunate to place our artwork there. We were able to overcome the challenges, such as transport and installation of pieces that were much larger than we are accustomed to. We are honored to have our work be in such a historical building for many years to come!

Villa Marchese del Grillo Relais-Restaurant-Enoteca For more info & details visit: http://relaismarchesedelgrillo.com/ Katerina Bucciarelli Broker Associate Fortune International Realty 2013 Top Producer. kb@kbmiami.com www.kbmiami.com Photo Credits: Javier Ospina.

Greg Premru 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!

A place with no comparison, a paradise on earth perfect for oceanfront living lovers. Jade Signature is a unique and iconic residential building coming to life in the beautiful and sought-after Sunny Isles. By assembling the most talented team of international architects and designers, and by having a clear understanding of how people really want to live within such a unique beachside location, Fortune International Group has been able to create a place that people will love to live in. The residences’ extra large, sun-shaded terraces can be accessed via sliding windows, which make every room a dynamic, highly adaptable space. The quality of thought in the design is matched by the quality of the interior finishes. All of these special features make each contemporary house in the sky a grand statement in luxury beachfront living.

Our client has been very fortunate to have acquired some amazing memorabilia over the years. This was our inspiration to create a space to display them and at the same time design a room where both he and his wife can enjoy family photos and work on shared interests. The custom builds were planned to create organization for personal office items and give an inviting atmosphere to come in, sit, read and reflect. Although many design elements are masculine we added a feminine touch with the blush colored chair fabric and custom pillows. A shared desk space is great for collaborating and planning. The fabric covered walls add sophistication and texture. The sofa was placed to invite and enjoy the rest of the family to come in and take part. Custom designed by Hartley and Hill Design. All materials and furnishings in this space are available through Hartley and Hill Design. www.hartleyandhilldesign.com 888-639-0639

Beach style living room photo in Orange County

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.”

When there is a lot of house you need a lot of light. Quality of light overcomes quantity of light. Some Great lighting design shows this house off well. I just love the raised turnaround planter with the Green Acer Viridis Maple. What a gorgeous specimen and lights up well. You actually need two types of lighting strategies to illuminate the Specimen. Since the Japanese Maple defoliates from November through April the under well lighting works well on the magnificent bark and branching of the tree. From May- til october the foliage is such a gorgeous umbrella of fringe like denseness that illuminating best would be with accents on the outside shining onto the foliage cross lighting 360 degrees as it can be viewed from the ability to drive around the planter. The secret to success hear is understanding the Plant materials and how they present themselves all 8 seasons four seasons both day and night, Another Note is our company Preferred Properties Lsc. planted that Tree about 25 years ago so we have been fortunate enough to watch it grow.

Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, is home to Jade Signature, a gorgeous high-rise residential building developed by Fortune International Group and designed by Swiss architects, Herzog & de Meuron. Breathtakingly beautiful, Jade Signature shimmers in the Florida sun and offers residents unparalleled views of sparkling oceanfront and exquisitely landscaped grounds. Amenities abound for residents of the 53-story building, including a spa, fitness, and guest suite level; worldwide concierge services; private beach; and a private pedestrian walkway to Collins Avenue. TASK Our international client has asked us to design a 3k sq ft turnkey residence at Jade Signature. The unit on the 50th floor affords spectacular views and a stunning 800 sq ft balcony that increases the total living space. SCOPE Britto Charette is responsible for all aspects of designing the 3-bedroom, 5-bathroom residence that is expected to be completed by the end of September 2017. Our design features custom built-ins, headboards, bedroom sets, and furnishings. HIGHLIGHTS We are especially fond of the sculptural Zaha Hadid sofa by B&b Italia.

This is a very custom Wine cellar that Brandner Design was fortunate enough to collaborate on with CLB Architects from Jackson Hole WY. Brandner Design built much of the architectural steel, doors, furniture and accents.

After many years of living in their home, this client was ready to tackle redecorating the living room. Michael Merrill Design Studio was able to make the case that the living room, dining room and staircase all needed to be done together and the homeowner agreed. One of the greatest concerns we had was the lighting and fortunately we were able to devise a way to conceal it without damaging any of the existing finishes. Our approach was to restore the architectural shell and to furnish the room with contemporary pieces that complimented the space and maximized its use. Textiles and the elegant rug in the living room were primarily by Jack Lenor Larsen. To preserve the original mahogany floor and the furnishings, an electric exterior shade was added that drops whenever sunlight strikes the rear elevation of the house. (2007-2008) Photos © John Sutton Photography

Diehl Concrete is a local Denver business that prides itself in quality decorative work such as custom stamped concrete patios. The owner, Ryan Diehl, plays a hands-on part throughout the entire process. With over 15 years of experience in creating beautiful outdoor spaces, along with his un-compromised integrity, Diehl Concrete is a wise choice for your project. There are countless examples of his work throughout Colorado, including Denver, Aurora, Brighton, Boulder, and Evergreen. Call today and Ryan Diehl will personally evaluate your project, answer your questions, and provide a free quote. Benefits of Stamped Concrete Patios: Affordability: Stamped concrete patios are much more affordable when compared to brick pavers or natural stone. Fortunately, This lower cost doesn’t lack durability or beauty. Longevity: Concrete typically lasts longer than alternative patio materials. To ensure durability, Diehl Concrete will take the extra steps to reduce cracking. We will take great care in preparing your concrete sub-grade with proper compaction, and road base as well as rebar reinforcement within the concrete. Finally, expansion joints will be strategically placed to minimize and prevent cracking. Color and Pattern Options: The sky is truly the limit on color choices and patterns for stamped concrete patios. Shape: Due to its versatility of the substance, concrete offers homeowners the ability to create any type of shape they would like. Would you like curves, planting beds, or even a fire pit incorporated into your stamped concrete patio? No problem. Low Maintenance: To maintain the look and uphold the durability, a once yearly sealer may be applied. This is something you can do yourself, or we can seal your patio for you. Increased home resale value. Decorative concrete adds curb appeal and aesthetic value to your home, allowing you to maximize the return on your investment.

At California Sofa you can create your own master piece without spending a fortune. We also offer design consultation for a nominal fee.
Example of a mid-sized transitional formal and enclosed medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room design in San Francisco with yellow walls and no fireplace

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.”

As master of the perfect mix, LaMont Bynum can magically transform a raw space or breathe new life into what already exists. His education in interior design combined with his penchant for problem solving and passion for transforming lives led to him following his calling to become a designer. Lamont thrives on working with clients to refine a vision and make it reality. He believes happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present. LaMont is a native of Suffolk, VA, a small town with a rich heritage. A Southern gentleman, he developed an eye for color, good design and great style early on. He grew up in a family whose love for interior design led to friendly family design competitions. The “creative types” who raised him served as his primary source of inspiration. A graduate of Howard University, Lamont worked in hospitality sales and marketing before opening Rite At Home, Atlanta‘s premier consignment furniture boutique, in 2012. He serves on the Board of Directors for Rebuilding Together Atlanta, an organization working to ensure that low-income homeowners — particularly older adults, military veterans, people with disabilities and families with children — are able to live in warmth, safety and independence. Also, he chairs the Board of Directors for the Adamsville Business and Community Partnership. Lamont is always looking for ways to impact communities through engagement and design. He has worked with Fortune 500 companies to develop their work and fun spaces for employees and even designed their CEO’s personal living spaces. LaMont believes no project is too small or too big, everyone deserves an environment conducive to dream, relax and make life happen. With timeless, sophisticated taste, LaMont’s design style is classy, inviting, and also incredibly detail oriented. His ability to transform both residential homes and commercial projects by layering rich textures, colors, and fabrics has placed him on Atlanta’s Top 25 Designer List four times.

Walking through this property for the first time with the homeowner was interesting. We really do love historical properties and always want to see them returned to safe, comfortable, and very livable spaces. We saw a lot of opportunities in what some may have walked away from. The transformation was met with some challenges along the way as you might expect from a 101 year old home that had not been updated. We saw them as opportunities and created solutions for each one that we met. We started with structural engineering, and testing for asbestos and lead. Fortunately no Asbestos was present. We took everything down to studs and made sure the house was level and safe. We removed some walls, moved staircases and created a more functional layout for kitchen, hall bathroom, and added a bathroom to the master suite. The end result is a beautiful “new” home with all the charm of its long history in a gorgeous and quaint neighborhood in Madison, WI.

This classically simple water fountain may just bring good fortune to you. A very good choice for a charming addition to your garden, yard or deck.
Tuscan exterior home photo in Los Angeles