For a family who believes fitness is not only an essential part of life but also a fun opportunity for the whole family to connect, build and achieve greatness together there is nothing better than a custom designed obstacle course right in your back yard. THEME The theme of this half mile trail through the woods is evident in the fun, creative and all-inclusive obstacles hidden in the natural flow of the land around this amazing family home. The course was created with adults and children, advanced and beginner athletes, competitive and entertaining events all accounted for. Each of the 13 obstacles was designed to be challenging no matter the size, skill or ability of the athlete lucky enough to run the course. FOCUS The focus for this family was to create an outdoor adventure that could be an athletic, social and personal outlet for their entire family while maintaining the natural beauty of the landscape and without altering the sweeping views from the home. The large scale of the challenging obstacles is camouflaged within the landscape using the rolling hills and mature trees as a natural curtain in every season. The beauty of the course does not diminish the functional and demanding nature of the obstacles which are designed to focus on multiple strength, agility, and cardio fitness abilities and intensities. STORAGE The start of the trail includes a raised training area offering a dedicated space clear from the ground to place bags, mats and other equipment used during the run. A small all-terrain storage cart was provided for use with 6 yoga mats, 3 medicine balls of various weights, rings, sprinting cones, and a large digital timer to record laps. GROWTH The course was designed to provide an athletic and fun challenge for children, teens and adults no matter their experience or athletic prowess. This course offers competitive athletes a challenge and budding athletes an opportunity to experience and ignite their passion for physical activity. Initially the concept for the course was focused on the youngest of the family however as the design grew so did the obstacles and now it is a true family experience that will meet their adapting needs for years. Each obstacle is paired with an instructional sign directing the runners in proper use of the obstacle, adaptations for skill levels and tips on form. These signs are all customized for this course and are printed on metal to ensure they last for many years. SAFETY Safety is crucial for all physical activity and an obstacle course of this scale presents unique safety concerns. Children should always be supervised when participating in an adventure on the course however additional care was paid to details on the course to ensure everyone has a great time. All of the course obstacles have been created with pressure treated lumber that will withstand the seasonal poundings. All footer pilings that support obstacles have been placed into the ground between 3 to 4 feet (.9 to 1.2 meters) and each piling has 2 to 3 bags of concrete (totaling over 90 bags used throughout the course) ensuring stability of the structure and safety of the participants. Additionally, all obstacle lumber has been given rounded corners and sanded down offering less splintering and more time for everyone to enjoy the course. This athletic and charismatic family strives to incorporate a healthy active lifestyle into their daily life and this obstacle course offers their family an opportunity to strengthen themselves and host some memorable and active events at their amazing home.

Inspiration for a living room remodel in Philadelphia

Arts and Crafts fireplace by Motawi Tileworks featuring Sullivan and Halsted relief tile and raised hearth. Photo: Justin Maconochie.
Arts and crafts living room photo in Detroit with a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace

Leah Miller
Example of a trendy freestanding bathtub design in Salt Lake City with white walls

Rain water spills over a ledge and into a rock trough, ultimately filling a geometric bog planted with native aquatics. In dry seasons, an automatic fill is activated and creates a similar effect. During intense rains, the bog overflows into a curvilinear rock rill, and ultimately to the ravine below. Photo Credit :Ralph Anderson

Our Clients requested a Traditional English Style Kitchen for their San Mateo County Home. We designed and fabricated the Kitchen Cabinets with traditional fine cabinetry details such as: Recessed & Raised Panel Doors set flush inset with exposed knuckle hinges, custom made moldings and fine detailing, with a complex finish that required staining the wood, then paint it, rub thru the paint in places, and then glaze and finally top coat it to re-create a fine warm Antique feeling and look. The Large Kitchen Island features a Massive 2 ½” thick Solid Cherry Top. Our Clients are Delighted with the Final Results. Photo: Mitchel Berman

Karyn Millet Photography
Example of a beach style family room design in Los Angeles

The previous year Finesse, Inc. remodeled this home in Monrovia and created the 9-lite window at the entry of the home. After experiencing some intense weather we were called back to build this new entry way. The entry consists of 1/3 covered area and 2/3 area exposed to allow some light to come in. Fabricated using square steel posts and beams with galvanized hangers and Redwood lumber. A steel cap was placed at the front of the entry to really make this Modern home complete. The fence and trash enclosure compliment the curb appeal this home brings. PC: Aaron Gilless

Kimberley Bryan
Photo of an eclectic shade backyard vegetable garden landscape.

Home design - contemporary home design idea in San Diego

Photo: Darlene Halaby Photography © 2019 Houzz
Living room - living room idea

This 27 square foot powder room is by far the smallest space in this 3,200 square foot home in Nicasio CA. Where some might restrain themselves from highlighting such a utilitarian space, we elevated this tiny room to one of the most unique spaces in the home. The powder room sits behind a board-formed concrete wall adjacent to the front door of the home. In conjunction with our structural engineer and a master-mason, we developed a way to embed ¾” planks of acrylic into the South facing concrete wall. During the day, the acrylic captures the intense sun (while the concrete keeps the space temperate) creating a vibrant and entirely unexpected light show when one opens the powder room door. From the outside though, the acrylic planks appear simply as dark striations in the concrete. At night though, a timed light inside the bathroom illuminates the backside of the wall and creates a glowing nightlight at the front door. The constraints of board-formed concrete and the sequencing of this type of construction determined a pattern that could both retain the material integrity of the concrete while pushing its limits. In addition, the requirements for the vertical members of rebar created a staggered pattern that suggests a sense of movement; a theme that is carried throughout the project. After several experimental concrete pours, the final detail turned a typical powder room into a design feature that pushes the limits of material and construction and jolts our preconceptions of what lies behind a simple bathroom door. The wall appears to transform -- from solid to penetrable, from tame to wild, from utilitarian to spectacle, from dark and stoic to light-filled and poetic. Bruce Damonte

Dune Sedge grows in between and around the pavers that lead to the patio. A Hong Kong Orchard tree is planted behind the custom wood bench - when mature it will provide shade. A palette of purple and yellow reigns in this garden with a mixture of Lilac Verbena, Spanish Lavender, Catmint, Yellow Bulbine and more. Photo by Marcus Teply

This formal residence is located in Highland Park, Texas features intensely manicured gardens, a cobblestone driveway, private motor court and a grand entry gate.

Mid-sized transitional master dark wood floor and brown floor bedroom photo in Other with gray walls and no fireplace

Inspiration for a large transitional l-shaped dark wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Dallas with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Sedum morganianum (Burro's Tail)
Design ideas for a rustic shade landscaping in Los Angeles.

Heatstrip USA Heatstrip electric radiant outdoor heaters are a premium range of heaters suitable for luxury homes and commercial venues. Heatstrip heaters are a slimline, high intensity electric heater without the red glow from traditional gas or electric heaters. With their subtle elegant styling they blend into your decor. Heatstrip have been installed in restaurants, casinos, bars and pubs.

Example of a transitional gray two-story mixed siding exterior home design in Atlanta