Back of home on a steep incline
Mid-sized arts and crafts exterior home photo in San Francisco

Rustic-Modern Finnish Kitchen Our client was inclined to transform this kitchen into a functional, Finnish inspired space. Finnish interior design can simply be described in 3 words: simplicity, innovation, and functionalism. Finnish design addresses the tough climate, unique nature, and limited sunlight, which inspired designers to create solutions, that would meet the everyday life challenges. The combination of the knotty, blue-gray alder base cabinets combined with the clean white wall cabinets reveal mixing these rustic Finnish touches with the modern. The leaded glass on the upper cabinetry was selected so our client can display their personal collection from Finland. Mixing black modern hardware and fixtures with the handmade, light, and bright backsplash tile make this kitchen a timeless show stopper. This project was done in collaboration with Susan O'Brian from EcoLux Interiors.

A fresh take on a small bathroom! We decided to keep this one light and airy, using mostly white pieces and tile. Adding the mosaic tile and green-blue wall color made this space soothing. A wall mounted medicine cabinet above the single sink vanity made for great use of space. Love this look? You could achieve it YOURSELF. All DIYers, craftsmen/women, and mechanically inclined individuals! Steve White (owner of SRW Contracting, Inc. and Bathroom Remodeling Teacher) has created easy-to-follow courses that enable YOU to build your own bathroom. He has compiled all of his industry knowledge and tips & tricks into several courses he offers online to pass his knowledge on to you. Check out his courses by visiting the Bathroom Remodeling Teacher website at: https://www.bathroomremodelingteacher.com/learn.

Rustic-Modern Finnish Kitchen Our client was inclined to transform this kitchen into a functional, Finnish inspired space. Finnish interior design can simply be described in 3 words: simplicity, innovation, and functionalism. Finnish design addresses the tough climate, unique nature, and limited sunlight, which inspired designers to create solutions, that would meet the everyday life challenges. The combination of the knotty, blue-gray alder base cabinets combined with the clean white wall cabinets reveal mixing these rustic Finnish touches with the modern. The leaded glass on the upper cabinetry was selected so our client can display their personal collection from Finland. Mixing black modern hardware and fixtures with the handmade, light, and bright backsplash tile make this kitchen a timeless show stopper. This project was done in collaboration with Susan O'Brian from EcoLux Interiors.

This home gym was created with CrossFit workout in mind. The heavy-duty grade Rogue Fitness rack serves as the anchor to the space. The rubber dumbbells rest on the steel rack steps away from the adjustable decline and incline bench. The ½” thick rubber flooring makes for a sound base for serious workouts as well as sound absorption for the 800-Watt micro subwoofer as well as the 300 Watt combined ceiling speakers. We added a wall of mirrors on two walls which provide depth and the illusion of the room being enlarged. The Concept 2 rower can sit upright after heavy cardio use to make room for whatever workout is thrown at the gym.

Inspiration for a contemporary pool remodel in Orlando

A double sink vanity sits in its own space, making the most out of the small square footage this bathroom had to offer. Love this look? You could achieve it YOURSELF. All DIYers, craftsmen/women, and mechanically inclined individuals! Steve White (owner of SRW Contracting, Inc. and Bathroom Remodeling Teacher) has created easy-to-follow courses that enable YOU to build your own bathroom. He has compiled all of his industry knowledge and tips & tricks into several courses he offers online to pass his knowledge on to you. Check out his courses by visiting the Bathroom Remodeling Teacher website at: https://www.bathroomremodelingteacher.com/learn.

STOOL and wagon at the same time – by turning it upside down – this classic toy idea has been known for several generations and has now been redesigned by Frederic Collette for today’s children 1-5 years old. Our version has inclined angles to give stability and to enable the stools to be stacked. Turned around – the legs of the A-shaped stool become steering-handles. The stools are made of massive oak planks, to enjoy the wood grain in full width. STOOL can be used as a chair with its matching desk STOOLESK. STOOL has achieved the Nordic ECOlabel SWAN, documenting its durability, health safety and environmentally sound production.

This Pasadena Arts & Crafts custom kitchen features stained cabinetry that blends seamlessly with the rest of the home. The designer paid close attention to every authentic detail while incorporating the needs of a functional kitchen. Design details include glass lead doors, cloud-lift detail on doors and end panel rails, Ebony square protruding pegs with pillow tops, drop stiles with inside corner radius on wall cabinets, an inclined routed foot detail on the base cabinet stiles, crown G & upper scribe molding that displays stepped surfaces w/ rounded edge detail, a wine rack with oil bronze tubes, and Pasadena Island brackets and posts! The kitchen features Sapele wood, Nutmeg stain, with Monterey & Pasadena door styles with Pasadena 5pc drawer fronts along with integrated Waterfall drawer fronts. Photo by Crown Point Cabinetry

A single sink vanity with a granite countertop is looking pretty fancy with the bedazzled mirror sitting above it! Love this look? You could achieve it YOURSELF. All DIYers, craftsmen/women, and mechanically inclined individuals! Steve White (owner of SRW Contracting, Inc. and Bathroom Remodeling Teacher) has created easy-to-follow courses that enable YOU to build your own bathroom. He has compiled all of his industry knowledge and tips & tricks into several courses he offers online to pass his knowledge on to you. Check out his courses by visiting the Bathroom Remodeling Teacher website at: https://www.bathroomremodelingteacher.com/learn.

Stucco Retaining walls with wrought iron and custom stone caps
Photo of a mediterranean landscaping in San Diego.

See what our client say about Paul Lopa Designs. I started my search for a contractor about a year before I hired Paul to do a kitchen and bathroom renovation. This was my first time at the bat, and I really had no idea what to expect. I had many contractor proposals that swung wildly in price but for some reason I never felt inclined to hire any of the guys I met with. I happened to be looking at Houzz one day and came across Paul’s company and he had very good reviews. I gave him a call and he came to my apartment quickly. I liked him immediately when we met. I thought it was strange that he asked me for my budget and how much I wanted to spend but in hindsight, providing that information allowed Paul to come back to me with a very detailed proposal based on my budget. I soon realized that the lower proposals I had did not include many of the budget items that would be necessary to complete the job. Paul laid out the pricing and provided a very reasonable “allowance” based on your measurements for tile, toilet, sinks, etc. It is up to you to stay within that allowance.

See what our client say about working with us: I started my search for a contractor about a year before I hired Paul to do a kitchen and bathroom renovation. This was my first time at the bat, and I really had no idea what to expect. I had many contractor proposals that swung wildly in price but for some reason I never felt inclined to hire any of the guys I met with. I happened to be looking at Houzz one day and came across Paul’s company and he had very good reviews. I gave him a call and he came to my apartment quickly. I liked him immediately when we met. I thought it was strange that he asked me for my budget and how much I wanted to spend but in hindsight, providing that information allowed Paul to come back to me with a very detailed proposal based on my budget. I soon realized that the lower proposals I had did not include many of the budget items that would be necessary to complete the job. Paul laid out the pricing and provided a very reasonable “allowance” based on your measurements for tile, toilet, sinks, etc. It is up to you to stay within that allowance. Another reason I hired Paul was because of his design skills. Paul met me in the at tile stores several times and helped guide me in choosing tile and a style for the bathroom that really looks beautiful. I fought him a little but in the end, was glad I went with his recommendations. He also uses a kitchen cabinet maker so all the cabinets are custom to what you want. Paul also has a great customer website that allows you to see all the expenses, make choices, and easily communicate with him. If you are planning to do a renovation, I think it helps to plan for the worst and hope for the best. I live in a co-op and we had a couple of little glitches and Paul was always quick to resolve issues as they arose. He was extremely responsive and really cared about the work and doing a good job. I would definitely hire Paul again if I needed a contractor.

A soaking tub sits in the back of this master bathroom, next to a wood double sink vanity. All DIYers, craftsmen/women, and mechanically inclined individuals! Steve White, owner of SRW Contracting, Inc. and Bathroom Remodeling Teacher, has created easy-to-follow courses that enable YOU to build your own bathroom (including how to build your own curbed walk-in shower!). He has compiled all of his industry knowledge and tips & tricks into several courses he offers online to pass his knowledge on to you. Check out his courses by visiting the Bathroom Remodeling Teacher website at: https://www.bathroomremodelingteacher.com/learn.

Nestled on a challenging steep, rocky incline with breathtaking ocean vistas, this backyard was initially nearly unusable due to its limited flat areas. The homeowner's vision was to transform it into a multifunctional space capable of hosting large gatherings of family and friends. The transformative design boasts four terraced decks: two featuring cozy fire pits, one equipped with a hot tub perfectly positioned for sunset viewing, and another for daytime relaxation, alongside a hidden deck designed especially for children's play. The space is further enhanced with an outdoor kitchen, a cascading water feature adorning the slope, seating nestled under a waterproof deck, and built-in wooden seating with cleverly integrated storage, all centered around a playful and inviting pool.

This beautiful landscape design was a unique project. When presented with a very steep incline, a large hill and only approximately 30' of level space, the Gary Duff Designs team got down to work, chopping down trees, and removing barrels of soil. After flattening out the space, this experienced team was able to implement each desired feature, from pool and play area to patio and privacy. This complete re-design and demolition resulted in an intimate, yet open, backyard living space.

Only a few minutes from the project to the left (Another Minnetonka Finished Basement) this space was just as cluttered, dark, and under utilized. Done in tandem with Landmark Remodeling, this space had a specific aesthetic: to be warm, with stained cabinetry, gas fireplace, and wet bar. They also have a musically inclined son who needed a place for his drums and piano. We had amble space to accomodate everything they wanted. We decided to move the existing laundry to another location, which allowed for a true bar space and two-fold, a dedicated laundry room with folding counter and utility closets. The existing bathroom was one of the scariest we've seen, but we knew we could save it. Overall the space was a huge transformation! Photographer- Height Advantages

Inspiration for an eclectic living room remodel in New York

Shady pathway spilling over with Sweet Woodruff. Stone retaining wall, ferns, cool green, ferns, stone pathway, stone wall, stone retaining wall, shade garden, ground cover, shade ground cover, dappled light, natural garden