Christmas holiday design for an amazing exotic animal conservation ranch in Texas. Our goal was to deliver a holiday scheme indicative of rustic Texas. For year 2013 our look was to design with a color palette of red, green, tan and gold pulling from the use of natural elements, often found on the ranch, such as pheasant and ostrich feathers, deer sheds, lichen covered branches, beautiful vintage fowl and small critter taxidermy, massive pine comes, silver birch branches, natural nests, etc.. mixed with vintage wood skis, copper bladed ice skates, rustic lanterns with battery operated candles on remote, etc.. mixed with layers of printed burlap and crystal velvet brocade ribbon, beads, burnished gold glass ornaments, red velvet poinsettias, etc..

This house built in the 1990s never had renovations done prior to this whole house remodel. Filled with vibrant wallpaper and shiny brass finishes so indicative of the time the house was in need of a major upgrade and refresh. The laundry room already had ample space and storage, but we tailored the storage for the family. An integrated shoe shelf allows for a clean space to store shoes in this no shoe household. A fold down, integrated ironing board provides functionality without crowding the space. The powder bath is the only bath on the first floor, so is a full bath, but functions as a powder bath 90% of the time. We wanted to keep the focus away from the shower and keep the fun of a powder bath. A custom window pane patterned etched glass shower allows the shower to stay in the background. In the master bath there was also ample space, but the design was in great need of an upgrade. With a decked-in tub and shower that you had to step up and then down into, the space needed a better flow and easier access. A freestanding tub allowed all of the decking to be removed and gave space for a larger, more luxurious shower. A huge linen storage with bench that double as a suitcase stand finishes out the space nicely. The room was given a clean, modern farmhouse feel to really freshen up the space. The focus of this kitchen was to open up the workflow, creating a space for the family to work comfortably while also creating a beautiful and inspiring space. Placing a large refrigerator at the edge of the kitchen, adding a beverage refrigerator, using a Galley Workstation and having the island at a slightly lower height makes it highly functional for the whole family. It is rare to achieve a long line of symmetry, but with a feature wall created around the range top we were able to do so. We created an antique armoire feel with the panel ready refrigerator and custom panel design above. A mixture of hardware was used, the gray stained hickory cabinets were paired with matte black hardware, while the designer white cabinets were paired with brass hardware. A very custom refrigerator cabinet was created that emphasized the armoire feel. A long wall of 9” deep tall cabinets created a very beautiful as well as highly functional pantry space.

Christmas holiday design for an amazing animal conservation ranch in Texas. Our goal was to deliver a holiday scheme indicative of rustic Texas. For year 2012 our look was to design with a color palette of forest green, rust, brown, cream and gold pulling from the use of natural elements, often found on the ranch, such as pheasant and ostrich feathers, deer sheds, lichen covered branches, beautiful vintage fowl and small critter taxidermy, massive pine comes, silver birch branches etc.. mixed with vintage wood skis, copper bladed ice skates, rustic lanterns, etc..

This homeowner was in need of more space and updated space. Factor was able to add a second story with more bedrooms and bathrooms while still keeping the original aesthetic of the house. The overall aesthetic features a transitional design with an open concept living space on the main floor. There are plenty of wood accents that were indicative of bungalow homes including built-ins as seen in the window bench seating. Classic details from the shaker cabinets to the honeycomb tiles provide a nod to the bungalow style. We call it a bungalow pop-top refresh for a growing family. The kitchen features a farmhouse-style sink with a pulldown faucet. Blue kitchen cabinets with white quartz countertops and walnut island countertops. The stair railings are powder coated black. You'll also see hardwood flooring throughout the main floor living area. We are Denver and Boulder, CO's design-build firm!

The designer will choose the light function, intensity, and the quality of the light. The amount of light produced is measured in Lux, which is the measurement of the intensity of light cast on a given surface. And Lumens, which is the unit of measurement of luminous flux used to indicate the quantity or intensity of any lamp.

air conditionor

The bones of this 1908 Glen Park home had been compromised by years and years of awkward remodels. The front door led directly to the private bedroom level, while the public gathering spaces were one-level down, with the main staircase nearly dropping you into the existing kitchen. Potentially spectacular views of an existing mature redwood tree and broad city views beyond were entirely ignored and inaccessible. We first unraveled the knot of the plan with a new split-level entryway and connecting stair. We then opened up the rear of the home to the views, using the huge backyard conifer as design inspiration for a perforated steel guardrail connecting the new interior and exterior space seamlessly. A lower expansion connects the home to the yard and alleyway garage entry. The Pinales House is indicative of the scale of remodel many young families can consider; a scale at which strategic design choices are key to discovering the unrealized potential of the home and site.

We were lucky to be contacted by a client who designed their own dream home directly abutting a stunning nature preserve. When the homeowners were considering making some adjustments to their property, maintaining the connection between the home and its natural surroundings was of the utmost importance. The couple wanted to create a space where they could drink in the beauty of the preserve. But what spurred the project was the need to make functional improvements. There was erosion on a hill sloping away from the house that needed to be addressed. Poor drainage saw rainwater was threatening the driveway and deck access on the side of the house. As careful thinkers, they came into this project brimming with creative ideas for how to transform the space into something functional and worthy of its surroundings. They called us to help tie the project together and execute it. Initial ideas were for a 3 or 4 season porch that would provide unmatched views of the surroundings, but with the functional aspects of the project, the dream porch was out of budget and still did not address the eroding hillside. Not to worry the team at Lotus was able to take inspiration from the couples’ ideas, and together, we developed a stunning space truly worthy of the nature preserve around it. PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS In landscaping, the importance of water management cannot be overstated. Our first job in the landscape design process was to improve the drainage for the site. Improved drainage protects not just the landscaping, but the home itself. In fact, estimates indicate that water problems are responsible for 85% of home repair expenses in the US annually. To ensure the drainage problems were fixed permanently, Lotus constructed a retaining wall to protect the foundation of the house. Once we fixed the broken drainage, we moved on to the slope at the side of the house. The hillside was badly eroding, making it another area of concern for the homeowners. Almost immediately, our team of experts saw the eroding hillside not as a problem, but as an opportunity. We fixed some grading issues and then planted the slope with native plants. These served a number of different functions: Native plants tied the home and its landscape to the nature preserve. The Ann Arbor area features a diverse and beautiful array of plant life and this was something the Lotus team and the homeowners were excited to celebrate. The plants’ root structure protects the integrity of the hillside. Plant roots act as anchors, gripping the earth and making the soil much more resistant to erosion. Native plants are especially good for this because they evolved alongside the native soil. Plants on the hillside provided privacy from the neighbors. Look, we love our neighbors. But sometimes, in those quiet moments life affords us all too infrequently, it is nice to have a bit of peace and quiet. While a fence could do the job just as well, a fence isn’t suited to every environment. When your backyard is a nature preserve, you want to feel as connected to the land as possible. Tall native plants add to the feeling of connectedness in a way a fence simply can’t. BEAUTIFUL RESULTS The couple had a deck and a walkout patio, but these spaces felt disconnected. Many of the solutions they put forward were attempts to address this separation. Working with our designers, we created a beautiful, tiered walkway that connected the deck and the walkout using modern bluestone from Rock Bottom Stone Supply, right here in Michigan. We added lighting features that would increase the feeling of connectivity between these spaces. We set out to create a space that would hover between the patio and the deck. This space would make our homeowners feel connected to the nature preserve around them while allowing them to feel creative and comfortable. To start, we made benches, stairs, and a built-in table. From there we finished with a cedar pergola that would give them shade in the summer months. We ended up making the pergola curved so it would relax into the space and provide a bit of the wow factor. We connected the deck and the walkout and paid homage to the slope and the preserve by installing still more native plants. All in all, the space completely rejuvenated the couple’s yard. It proved an elegant solution to a number of practical problems and served as a connection between the house and the stunning property onto which the house was built. At Lotus, we have proven our ability to provide similar solutions for many properties like this, but this one stands out. If for no other reason than to remind us, again and again, that nature and natural beauty are truly worth celebrating. Designer: Traven Pelletier Location: Brighton, Mi Materials: Limestone outcrop, bluestone patio, cedar pergola, all natural stone Vendors: Rock Bottom Stone supply in Burton, Michigan, Hobart stone in New York is bluestone supplier

This armchair helps to separate the living room from the dining room in this open concept house. Don't be afraid to position chairs in unusual spaces to indicate the transition from one room to anothe. Photo: Rebecca Quandt

The design stays true to the nature of the home while embracing the clients' modern aesthetic.
Patio - modern patio idea in Detroit

The blown glass elements resemble double walled cells, arranged in a floating twist indicative of DNA
Inspiration for a large modern carpeted and gray floor hallway remodel in Other with white walls

Christmas holiday design for an amazing exotic animal conservation ranch in Texas. Our goal was to deliver a holiday scheme indicative of rustic Texas. For year 2013 our look was to design with a color palette of red, green, tan and gold pulling from the use of natural elements, often found on the ranch, such as pheasant and ostrich feathers, deer sheds, lichen covered branches, beautiful vintage fowl and small critter taxidermy, massive pine comes, silver birch branches, natural nests, etc.. mixed with vintage wood skis, copper bladed ice skates, rustic lanterns with battery operated candles on remote, etc.. mixed with layers of printed burlap and crystal velvet brocade ribbon, beads, burnished gold glass ornaments, red velvet poinsettias, etc..

When designing this kitchen update and addition, Phase One had to keep function and style top of mind, all the time. The homeowners are masters in the kitchen and also wanted to highlight the great outdoors and the future location of their pool, so adding window banks were paramount, especially over the sink counter. The bathrooms renovations were hardly a second thought to the kitchen; one focuses on a large shower while the other, a stately bathtub, complete with frosted glass windows Stylistic details such as a bright red sliding door, and a hand selected fireplace mantle from the mountains were key indicators of the homeowners trend guidelines. Storage was also very important to the client and the home is now outfitted with 12.

This is quite a dramatic shot of the gutter system. It gives a very good indication of how we positioned and installed the seamless gutters. The double-story stone entrance showcases how the guttering will keep water away from not only the entrance but also the adjoining brickwork.

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Bathroom - rustic bathroom idea in San Francisco

This previously unnoticed half-bath/laundry room is now a stunner thanks to the Renovisions team. The overall idea was to create enough storage and organization for this busy household yet be beautifully distinctive for guests who use this space. This plan included a stackable washer and dryer center with shelf, clothes rod and pull-down drying rack which was a creative space saving solution to maximize use of the laundry closet. Renovisions re-used the existing entry door and built-out a pocket which not only makes the space feel larger and less cluttered but is easier to enter and exit. When the Renovision was completed and turned over to our client, she was absolutely thrilled with the results as indicated by her comment below. Gorgeous light blue/grey marble basket weave floor tile is a perfect match for the dark blue/grey painted finish of the furniture piece vanity with slotted shelf for towels and accessories. The sconce light fixtures in chrome finish adds a little sparkle to this clean and classy look. Beautiful marble-look quartz countertops tie in nicely and played a part in transforming this ordinary powder room into a high-functioning, beautiful part of the home that is comfortable, livable and well appointed.

This house built in the 1990s never had renovations done prior to this whole house remodel. Filled with vibrant wallpaper and shiny brass finishes so indicative of the time the house was in need of a major upgrade and refresh. The laundry room already had ample space and storage, but we tailored the storage for the family. An integrated shoe shelf allows for a clean space to store shoes in this no shoe household. A fold down, integrated ironing board provides functionality without crowding the space. The powder bath is the only bath on the first floor, so is a full bath, but functions as a powder bath 90% of the time. We wanted to keep the focus away from the shower and keep the fun of a powder bath. A custom window pane patterned etched glass shower allows the shower to stay in the background. In the master bath there was also ample space, but the design was in great need of an upgrade. With a decked-in tub and shower that you had to step up and then down into, the space needed a better flow and easier access. A freestanding tub allowed all of the decking to be removed and gave space for a larger, more luxurious shower. A huge linen storage with bench that double as a suitcase stand finishes out the space nicely. The room was given a clean, modern farmhouse feel to really freshen up the space. The focus of this kitchen was to open up the workflow, creating a space for the family to work comfortably while also creating a beautiful and inspiring space. Placing a large refrigerator at the edge of the kitchen, adding a beverage refrigerator, using a Galley Workstation and having the island at a slightly lower height makes it highly functional for the whole family. It is rare to achieve a long line of symmetry, but with a feature wall created around the range top we were able to do so. We created an antique armoire feel with the panel ready refrigerator and custom panel design above. A mixture of hardware was used, the gray stained hickory cabinets were paired with matte black hardware, while the designer white cabinets were paired with brass hardware. A very custom refrigerator cabinet was created that emphasized the armoire feel. A long wall of 9” deep tall cabinets created a very beautiful as well as highly functional pantry space.

Designed by Carolina Maholik of Reico Kitchen & Bath in Chantilly VA, in collaboration with Victoriano Home Improvements, this transitional kitchen design features Merillat Masterpiece cabinets in the Martel Evercore door style in two finishes, Dove White (perimeter cabinets) and Riverbed (kitchen island). The kitchen countertops are Cambria Berywn. The kitchen includes a tile backsplash in Elon Opal in Gray 3x12 with a Light Pewter grout and Maytag, Whirlpool and KitchenAid appliances. “The clients were very big on the function of their space,” said Carolina. “The largest issue we faced was finding a balance between brightening and updating the look of the space while also not sacrificing the functionality of their daily lives. Many design iterations brought us back to classic beauty with an updated look that was the main gathering space of their home. My favorite aspect was seeing the once hated window box over the sink be transformed by updating the initial focal point of the space and create harmony with the rest of the space!” “Every aspect of our kitchen was a pleasure, from start to finish. We knew the minute we met Carolina that she would be the right person to design our kitchen and guide us through the process,” said the client. “Because Reico truly values its customers, indicated by both their words and their actions, our confidence never wavered. Carrie responded to all communications nearly instantaneously, and like Carolina, she made us feel like we were the only customers in her world.” “The care that the entire Reico team brought to the table and the patience Carolina extended were much appreciated. She really listens and has talent for sifting through all the talk to get to the best design. We love that our kitchen has a wide appeal and is very us. It is light and bright while remaining warm and inviting.” Photos courtesy of BTW Images LLC.