This new‑construction landscape installation in Elizabeth, Colorado was just getting underway when these photos were taken, giving a real behind‑the‑scenes look at how a custom landscape comes together. At this stage, we were focused on shaping the land, setting grades, and building the structural pieces that make the whole outdoor space work long‑term. It’s the part most people never see, but it’s where the future beauty and function really begin. Even in progress, you can see the layout taking shape—clean lines, defined spaces, and a design that fits naturally with Elizabeth’s open terrain. As the project moves forward, this foundation will support climate‑appropriate plantings, durable hardscape features, and a welcoming flow around the home. It’s the start of a landscape built to grow, evolve, and feel right at home in Colorado’s countryside.

Monica Perrone This sixteen-bed hospice care facility completed in 2006 has a 150' long rose arbor as its crowning feature. Traditional in theme and appropriate for its agrarian setting, this facility needed to feel very "residential" so that patients and guests could feel at home while managing end of life issues. Hedges, tree canopies and private patient patios offer beauty and comfortable transitions to/from the larger garden. An organized layout of paths and various points of interest, including four water features and a mist-filled grotto, allow for strolling and retreating. A significant herringbone brick formal patio and lawn support larger functions.

This is a small 10 x 10 dining space open to the adjacent kitchen. We elevated it with custom floor to ceiling drapery and a beautiful brass chandelier with alabaster shades. The door was painted in a soft blue for color and to enhance the focal point created by the drapery. Additional texture was brought in through 3D plaster and wood wall art. The Parsons dining chairs upholstered in a timeless striped fabric complement the round solid oak dining table beautifully. Everything was selected for appropriate size and scale for a comfortable, functional, and pleasant dining space.

This 1950's home was in the need of an overhaul. Family of 4, they needed functional storage, easy to clean materials, and a proper master closet and bathroom. Timeless design drove the material selections and period appropriate fixtures made this house feel updated yet still fitting to the homes age. White custom cabinetry, classic tiles, mirrors and light fixtures were a perfect fit for this family. A large walk in shower, with a bench, in the new reconfigured master bathroom was an amazing transformation. All the bedrooms were outfitted with more useful storage. The master closet even got a full desk workspace with all the natural light you could ask for.

In this mid-century home, our role centered on sourcing a cohesive furniture collection and designing custom millwork that would enhance the architecture without overwhelming it. Every furniture selection was made with an emphasis on scale, materiality, and period-appropriate detailing. We combined iconic mid-century, with contemporary furniture that respected the home’s proportions and aesthetic. The result is a layered, timeless palette of natural woods, rich textiles, and sculptural silhouettes that balance form and function. Built-ins were integrated seamlessly into the architecture with materials selected to age gracefully, with finishes and detailing that reference the era all while creating a clean, modern look.

This new‑construction landscape installation in Elizabeth, Colorado was just getting underway when these photos were taken, giving a real behind‑the‑scenes look at how a custom landscape comes together. At this stage, we were focused on shaping the land, setting grades, and building the structural pieces that make the whole outdoor space work long‑term. It’s the part most people never see, but it’s where the future beauty and function really begin. Even in progress, you can see the layout taking shape—clean lines, defined spaces, and a design that fits naturally with Elizabeth’s open terrain. As the project moves forward, this foundation will support climate‑appropriate plantings, durable hardscape features, and a welcoming flow around the home. It’s the start of a landscape built to grow, evolve, and feel right at home in Colorado’s countryside.

Fully funcitonal Farm-All alarm clocks serve as art and function. Matthews double fan. Photos~ Nat Rea
Dining room - cottage dining room idea

Inspiration for a timeless blue two-story mixed siding gable roof remodel in DC Metro with a shingle roof

Photo: Nanette Wong © 2014 Houzz
Dining room - eclectic dining room idea in San Francisco

This old farmhouse kitchen was completely reimagined while honoring the character of the home. Though I wish I had the before photos, the transformation was dramatic—bringing new function, light, and timeless detailing to a space that had long outlived its original layout. Classic white inset-style cabinetry keeps the kitchen feeling true to the age of the home, while thoughtful updates make it work beautifully for modern living. Dark countertops add grounding contrast, and the soft, textural backsplash introduces subtle pattern without overwhelming the space. A large island was designed as both a workhorse and gathering space, generous work surface, and furniture-like detailing that feels appropriate to a farmhouse setting. Throughout the design, the goal was not to make the kitchen feel “new,” but to make it feel as though it had always belonged in the home—just functioning far better than it ever had before. The result is a kitchen that feels timeless, hardworking, and quietly elegant.

Our client desired a functional, tasteful, and improved environment to compliment their home. The overall goal was to create a landscape that was subtle and not overdone. The client was highly focused on their deck environment that would span across the rear of the house with an area for a Jacuzzi as well. A portion of the deck has a screened in porch due to the naturally buggy environment since the home is situated in the woods and a low area. A mosquito repellent injection system was incorporated into the irrigation system to help with the bug issue. We improved circulation of the driveway, increased the overall curb appeal of the entrance of the home, and created a scaled and proportional outdoor living environment for the clients to enjoy. The client has religious guidelines that needed to be adhered to with the overall function and design of the landscape, which included an arbor over the deck to support a Sukkah and a Green Egg smoker to cook Kosher foods. Two columns were added at the driveway entrance with lights to help define their driveway entrance since it's the end of a long pipe-stem. New light fixtures were also added to the rear of the house. Our client desired multiple amenities with a limited budget, so everything had to be value engineered through the design and construction process. There is heavy deer pressure on the site, a mosquito issue, low site elevations, flat topography, poor soil, and overall poor drainage of the site. The original driveway was not sized appropriately and the front porch had structural issues, as well as leaked water onto the landing below. The septic tank was also situated close to the rear of the house and had to be contemplated during the design process. Photography: Morgan Howarth. Landscape Architect: Howard Cohen, Surrounds Inc.

Our client desired a functional, tasteful, and improved environment to compliment their home. The overall goal was to create a landscape that was subtle and not overdone. The client was highly focused on their deck environment that would span across the rear of the house with an area for a Jacuzzi as well. A portion of the deck has a screened in porch due to the naturally buggy environment since the home is situated in the woods and a low area. A mosquito repellent injection system was incorporated into the irrigation system to help with the bug issue. We improved circulation of the driveway, increased the overall curb appeal of the entrance of the home, and created a scaled and proportional outdoor living environment for the clients to enjoy. The client has religious guidelines that needed to be adhered to with the overall function and design of the landscape, which included an arbor over the deck to support a Sukkah and a Green Egg smoker to cook Kosher foods. Two columns were added at the driveway entrance with lights to help define their driveway entrance since it's the end of a long pipe-stem. New light fixtures were also added to the rear of the house. Our client desired multiple amenities with a limited budget, so everything had to be value engineered through the design and construction process. There is heavy deer pressure on the site, a mosquito issue, low site elevations, flat topography, poor soil, and overall poor drainage of the site. The original driveway was not sized appropriately and the front porch had structural issues, as well as leaked water onto the landing below. The septic tank was also situated close to the rear of the house and had to be contemplated during the design process. Photography: Morgan Howarth. Landscape Architect: Howard Cohen, Surrounds Inc.

Kitchen - modern kitchen idea in Austin

Our client wanted a kitchen that would be comfortable for both entertaining and cooking. We created a fresh and open space for this kitchen by using creative design and careful selections. The gray provides a contrast with the brighter hues to provide an exciting, yet still relaxing, feel. The neutral palate makes it easy to accent with different colors that are appropriate to every season. Now this kitchen is both beautiful and functional!

  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

The master bath is a true oasis, with white marble on the floor, countertop and backsplash, in period-appropriate subway and basket-weave patterns. Wall and floor-mounted chrome fixtures at the sink, tub and shower provide vintage charm and contemporary function. Chrome accents are also found in the light fixtures, cabinet hardware and accessories. The heated towel bars and make-up area with lit mirror provide added luxury. Access to the master closet is through the wood 5-panel pocket door.

The master bath is a true oasis, with white marble on the floor, countertop and backsplash, in period-appropriate subway and basket-weave patterns. Wall and floor-mounted chrome fixtures at the sink, tub and shower provide vintage charm and contemporary function. Chrome accents are also found in the light fixtures, cabinet hardware and accessories. The heated towel bars and make-up area with lit mirror provide added luxury. Access to the master closet is through the wood 5-panel pocket door.

Bigger is not always better, but something of highest quality is. This amazing, size-appropriate Lake Michigan cottage is just that. Nestled in an existing historic stretch of Lake Michigan cottages, this new construction was built to fit in the neighborhood, but outperform any other home in the area concerning energy consumption, LEED certification and functionality. It features 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, an open concept kitchen/living room, a separate mudroom entrance and a separate laundry. This small (but smart) cottage is perfect for any family simply seeking a retreat without the stress of a big lake home. The interior details include quartz and granite countertops, stainless appliances, quarter-sawn white oak floors, Pella windows, and beautiful finishing fixtures. The dining area was custom designed, custom built, and features both new and reclaimed elements. The exterior displays Smart-Side siding and trim details and has a large EZE-Breeze screen porch for additional dining and lounging. This home owns all the best products and features of a beach house, with no wasted space. Cottage Home is the premiere builder on the shore of Lake Michigan, between the Indiana border and Holland.

For these homeowners, we brought our interior decorating expertise to create a more substantial front entry by using appropriately scaled furnishings and eye catching accessories. We added function to the space with a large mirror because a quick check before answering the front door can be priceless. Adding plants brought a little earthiness and warmth to the space. And the lighting helped to create ambiance. A little tip - use battery powered candles with a remote in the sconces. The flicker of a candle brings a unique warmth to what can be one of the darkest spaces in your home at night. Interior Design by LTB Designs Photo by LTB Designs www.LTBDesigns.net