For this project, we drastically increased the square footage of this urban Chicago Style bungalow. With a complete 1st floor layout change including an open stairwell and open floor plan, and the expansion of the attic into a full second story addition (adding 3 bedrooms and two full baths to the home), this home became more spacious and livable. We installed a brand new kitchen with modern finishes with a light grey shaker island, and custom vanities cast in tile to give this home a sleek finish. By redigging the basement to heighten the ceilings, and upgrading it into a family area/rec room complete with another bedroom and a bathroom, the basement transformed from a storage unit to an inviting space in the home.

For this project, we drastically increased the square footage of this urban Chicago Style bungalow. With a complete 1st floor layout change including an open stairwell and open floor plan, and the expansion of the attic into a full second story addition (adding 3 bedrooms and two full baths to the home), this home became more spacious and livable. We installed a brand new kitchen with modern finishes with a light grey shaker island, and custom vanities cast in tile to give this home a sleek finish. By redigging the basement to heighten the ceilings, and upgrading it into a family area/rec room complete with another bedroom and a bathroom, the basement transformed from a storage unit to an inviting space in the home.

For this project, we drastically increased the square footage of this urban Chicago Style bungalow. With a complete 1st floor layout change including an open stairwell and open floor plan, and the expansion of the attic into a full second story addition (adding 3 bedrooms and two full baths to the home), this home became more spacious and livable. We installed a brand new kitchen with modern finishes with a light grey shaker island, and custom vanities cast in tile to give this home a sleek finish. By redigging the basement to heighten the ceilings, and upgrading it into a family area/rec room complete with another bedroom and a bathroom, the basement transformed from a storage unit to an inviting space in the home.

For this project, we drastically increased the square footage of this urban Chicago Style bungalow. With a complete 1st floor layout change including an open stairwell and open floor plan, and the expansion of the attic into a full second story addition (adding 3 bedrooms and two full baths to the home), this home became more spacious and livable. We installed a brand new kitchen with modern finishes with a light grey shaker island, and custom vanities cast in tile to give this home a sleek finish. By redigging the basement to heighten the ceilings, and upgrading it into a family area/rec room complete with another bedroom and a bathroom, the basement transformed from a storage unit to an inviting space in the home.

This beautiful home is used regularly by our Calgary clients during the weekends in the resort town of Fernie, B.C. While the floor plan offered ample space to entertain and relax, the finishes needed updating desperately. The original kitchen felt too small for the space which features stunning vaults and timber frame beams. With a complete overhaul, the newly redesigned space now gives justice to the impressive architecture. A combination of rustic and industrial selections have given this home a brand new vibe, and now this modern cabin is a showstopper once again! Design: Susan DeRidder of Live Well Interiors Inc. Photography: Rebecca Frick Photography

For this project, we drastically increased the square footage of this urban Chicago Style bungalow. With a complete 1st floor layout change including an open stairwell and open floor plan, and the expansion of the attic into a full second story addition (adding 3 bedrooms and two full baths to the home), this home became more spacious and livable. We installed a brand new kitchen with modern finishes with a light grey shaker island, and custom vanities cast in tile to give this home a sleek finish. By redigging the basement to heighten the ceilings, and upgrading it into a family area/rec room complete with another bedroom and a bathroom, the basement transformed from a storage unit to an inviting space in the home.

The kitchen was at the top of the list for a total overhaul – the worn oak cabinets, dated appliances, and clunky layout all had to go. Removing the decorative soffits allowed us to take the new cabinetry all the way to the ceiling, adding functional storage and visually extending the room’s height. We reconfigured the layout from a modified U to an L-shape which accomplished several things – it opened up the kitchen to the dining room, redirected circulation, and most importantly, created space for an island. A brand new pantry was created for overflow food storage, bulk items, occasional dishware and small appliances, ensuring that our client’s goal of uncluttered countertops was achievable. The finish selections and clean lines give a nod to the home’s mid-century bones. The wood island provides warmth and the light quartz countertops, textured backsplash and white cabinets keep the kitchen feeling light and bright. We opted to install open shelving above the sink which provides display space and needed storage without the bulkiness of an overhead cabinet. The matte black faucet, hardware and decorative pendants add another level of visual interest to the modern kitchen. To unify the kitchen and dining room, we replaced the drab kitchen flooring with select red oak hardwoods that were expertly installed and refinished to match the gorgeous wood flooring throughout the home.

A brand new kitchen design fit for this young Texan fashionista! We reconfigured the floor plan, closing off the original kitchen entryway and opening up the adjacent dining room. This greatly increased the amount of space and light, creating the perfect setting for soft blue-gray cabinets. Detail is everything in this home, so for the kitchen & dining area we incorporated glamorous hardware, lustrous mirror decor, and a brass lighting fixture above the dining table. Designed by Joy Street Design serving Oakland, Berkeley, San Francisco, and the whole of the East Bay.

VIP Photography
Minimalist master medium tone wood floor bedroom photo in Orange County with white walls

The Art of Wholesale Artificial Grass Potted Plants The demand is skyrocketing. A recent report shows a staggering 35% increase in the wholesale market for artificial potted plants in the last two years. How did we get here? DIY enthusiasts and retail designers alike are gravitating toward artificial options like never before. For instance, a pop-up shop in Austin showcased Longjin Craft’s artificial pampas grass, achieving record sales within the first week. Just imagine the impact such products can have on urban spaces where natural greenery struggles to thrive. Quality varies significantly. Some manufacturers cut corners, using inferior materials that fade or crumble within months. In stark contrast, premium brands such as Longjin Craft utilize advanced UV-resistant technology, ensuring durability and vibrant colors. The weight of high-quality polymer can feel surprising when comparing. Light as a feather? Not exactly. Some high-end options weigh substantially more, signifying their robust build. Trends and Innovations in the Market What’s trending? Sustainability, of course! Buyers are more eco-conscious. Reports indicate over 50% of consumers prefer brands that highlight their sustainability practices. Enter the world of recyclable artificial plants. Brands are innovating, shifting materials from merely synthetic to environmentally friendly composites. How can you not be impressed by this shift? The future looks greener—ironically speaking. Retailers are embracing unique selling propositions to set their brands apart. Take, for example, customizable potted plant arrangements. Imagine a landscape designer creating a bespoke setup featuring various plant species, with artificial variants like those from Longjin Craft fitting seamlessly into the surroundings. It’s a game-changer, keeping costs down while making spaces visually stunning. Practical Applications in Design Interior design is evolving. From coffee shops to luxury hotels, artificial potted grass is popping up everywhere. One case study revealed that a Southern California cafe increased customer dwell time by 25% after introducing strategically placed artificial plants. Imagine sipping your latte surrounded by lush greenery—all without the maintenance headaches. Commercial settings also benefit massively. Large office complexes are opting for artificial potted plants to create inviting environments. The rationale? Reduces maintenance costs and boosts employee morale. Can you believe a single office could save thousands annually by replacing natural greenery with artificial options? Longjin Craft has increasingly become a go-to choice for these installations, thanks to their reputation for striking aesthetics and quality.

For this project, we took the property all the way down to the studs to perform a total gut renovation while also adding over 900 square feet to the existing property. The overall goal of this project was to completely transform an outdated home with a larger footprint that also made better use of the existing space. A few interesting components of how we did this were transforming the kitchen and living room completely by taking out the back wall and increasing the space by 200%, installing brand new drywall and flooring throughout the home and new contemporary and functional tilework in the bathrooms and kitchen.

For this project, we drastically increased the square footage of this urban Chicago Style bungalow. With a complete 1st floor layout change including an open stairwell and open floor plan, and the expansion of the attic into a full second story addition (adding 3 bedrooms and two full baths to the home), this home became more spacious and livable. We installed a brand new kitchen with modern finishes with a light grey shaker island, and custom vanities cast in tile to give this home a sleek finish. By redigging the basement to heighten the ceilings, and upgrading it into a family area/rec room complete with another bedroom and a bathroom, the basement transformed from a storage unit to an inviting space in the home.

For this project, we added a brand-new bathroom to an unfinished basement, creating a stylish and functional space while increasing the home’s value. The addition included a full plumbing system installation, electrical, and HVAC. The design features modern tile flooring, a walk-in shower with large stationary glass doors, a white oak vanity, and beautiful wall sconces to brighten the space. This basement bathroom addition transformed this space to an and elegant retreat.

An early 20th-century colonial now sparkles with energy and feels new again. Everything about this historic home was steeped in tradition - the classic colonial lines, the center entry, the clapboard siding. Our challenge was to give the house a complete renovation while retaining the period feel. Without compromising the home’s architectural integrity, we expanded the kitchen, then added a family room, playroom, exterior terracing, a fully finished basement, and a mudroom for this busy family of five. Energy efficiency was a primary concern so we restored or, when necessary, replaced the original windows, installed brand new HVAC zoning and insulation to increase the home’s overall efficiency. Breathing new life into a well-loved family home is one of our greatest pleasures.

Kitchen cabinet refacing project in Aliso Viejo, CA with a brand new island! First, we made some modifications to the existing cabinets to increase both functionality as cosmetics. The two doors left of the oven we replaced with drawers. The cabinet over the hood was brought out from the wall to create a staggered appearance, and the fridge cabinet was replaced with a full depth cabinet to give a cleaner look and eliminate clutter on top of the fridge. We replaced the island with new cabinets that have six drawers on the front, and four full height doors on the 10" deep island back cabinets. Then, we topped the dark gray island with a white pigmented butcher block. 100% food safe finish. The new kitchen looks amazing!

Our clients for this Silicon Valley remodel wanted us to enlarge their existing kitchen by expanding into their adjacent dinette and family room area and address heat and glare issues caused by the afternoon sun at the rear of the residence. Our remodel eventually addressed almost all of the ground floor rooms. In addition we coordinated the addition of new windows throughout the house and “refreshed” the front entry and rear façade. We expanded the kitchen into the dinette area by creating an informal bar area to replace their existing dinette area. We increased indoor-outdoor flow by creating a wall of French doors and windows at the rear which included solar shading integrated into the rear wall by means of a system of interior wall panels defined by carefully laid out reveals. We created a dropped ceiling between the kitchen and the family room to define the bar counter area. A new, minimalist fireplace design replaced the existing brick fireplace. Wenge-colored cabinets and soft putty-colored walls in the dining/family room create a serene overall unity to the space. At the front entry, new doors, hardware and lighting brought this Mid-century rancher into the 21st Century. Photos by Mark Brand.

Kitchen cabinet refacing project in Aliso Viejo, CA with a brand new island! First, we made some modifications to the existing cabinets to increase both functionality as cosmetics. The two doors left of the oven we replaced with drawers. The cabinet over the hood was brought out from the wall to create a staggered appearance, and the fridge cabinet was replaced with a full depth cabinet to give a cleaner look and eliminate clutter on top of the fridge. We replaced the island with new cabinets that have six drawers on the front, and four full height doors on the 10" deep island back cabinets. Then, we topped the dark gray island with a white pigmented butcher block. 100% food safe finish. The new kitchen looks amazing!

For this project, we drastically increased the square footage of this urban Chicago Style bungalow. With a complete 1st floor layout change including an open stairwell and open floor plan, and the expansion of the attic into a full second story addition (adding 3 bedrooms and two full baths to the home), this home became more spacious and livable. We installed a brand new kitchen with modern finishes with a light grey shaker island, and custom vanities cast in tile to give this home a sleek finish. By redigging the basement to heighten the ceilings, and upgrading it into a family area/rec room complete with another bedroom and a bathroom, the basement transformed from a storage unit to an inviting space in the home.

Our clients for this Silicon Valley remodel wanted us to enlarge their existing kitchen by expanding into their adjacent dinette and family room area and address heat and glare issues caused by the afternoon sun at the rear of the residence. Our remodel eventually addressed almost all of the ground floor rooms. In addition we coordinated the addition of new windows throughout the house and “refreshed” the front entry and rear façade. We expanded the kitchen into the dinette area by creating an informal bar area to replace their existing dinette area. We increased indoor-outdoor flow by creating a wall of French doors and windows at the rear which included solar shading integrated into the rear wall by means of a system of interior wall panels defined by carefully laid out reveals. We created a dropped ceiling between the kitchen and the family room to define the bar counter area. A new, minimalist fireplace design replaced the existing brick fireplace. Wenge-colored cabinets and soft putty-colored walls in the dining/family room create a serene overall unity to the space. At the front entry, new doors, hardware and lighting brought this Mid-century rancher into the 21st Century. Photos by Mark Brand.