Transitional living room photo in St Louis

Like the musical Rhapsody in Blue, by George Gershwin, this kitchen is a culmination of classical design with some jazzy effects. The shaker styled, recessed panel cabinetry is juxtaposed between traditional white and up tempo blue. 3D Glass tiled backsplash catches the light from every direction. The walnut wood top snack bar section of the island is like a puzzle piece to the booth seating area directly opposite. Custom made metal panels in the island give the whole space an upscale vibe. But there is even more to this kitchen than meets the eye. A hidden walk-in pantry and a coffee bar live harmoniously behind the blue cabinetry.

A small courtyard garden in San Francisco. • Creative use of space in the dense, urban fabric of hilly SF. • For the last several years the clients had carved out a make shift courtyard garden at the top of their driveway. It was one of the few flat spaces in their yard where they could sit in the sun and enjoy a cup of coffee. We turned the top of a steep driveway into a courtyard garden. • The actual courtyard design was planned for the maximum dimensions possible to host a dining table and a seating area. The space is conveniently located outside their kitchen and home offices. However we needed to save driveway space for parking the cars and getting in and out. • The design, fabrication and installation team was comprised of people we knew. I was an acquaintance to the clients having met them through good friends. The landscape contractor, Boaz Mor, http://www.boazmor.com/, is their neighbor and someone I worked with before. The metal fabricator is Murray Sandford of Moz Designs, https://mozdesigns.com/, https://www.instagram.com/moz_designs/ . Both contractors have long histories of working in the Bay Area on a variety of complex designs. • The size of this garden belies the complexity of the design. We did not want to remove any of the concrete driveway which was 12” or more in thickness, except for the area where the large planter was going. The driveway sloped in two directions. In order to get a “level”, properly, draining patio, we had to start it at around 21” tall at the outside and end it flush by the garage doors. • The fence is the artful element in the garden. It is made of power-coated aluminum. The panels match the house color; and posts match the house trim. The effect is quiet, blending into the overall property. The panels are dramatic. Each fence panel is a different size with a unique pattern. • The exterior panels that you see from the street are an abstract riff on the seasons of the Persian walnut tree in their front yard. The cut-outs illustrate spring bloom when the walnut leafs out to autumn when the nuts drop to the ground and the squirrels eats them, leaving a mess of shells everywhere. Even the pesky squirrel appears on one of the panels. • The interior panels, lining the entry into the courtyard, are an abstraction of the entire walnut tree. • Although the panel design is made of perforations, the openings are designed to retain privacy when you are inside the courtyard. • There is a large planter on one side of the courtyard, big enough for a tree to soften a harsh expanse of a neighboring wall. Light through the branches cast playful shadows on the wall behind. • The lighting, mounted on the house is a nod to the client’s love of New Orleans gas lights. • The paving is black stone from India, dark enough to absorb the warmth of the sun on a cool, summer San Francisco day.

It’s actually amazing what you can do with an IKEA kitchen! Create a compelling layout, add some tailor-made elements and wow, it looks custom. Several key elements that will make any kitchen special; custom lighting from MP Lighting, stools from Emeco and a mix of upper end appliances like the Thermador cooktop and Bosch microwave. A sure bet to create the high design experience will emanate from a diverse choice of good materials like the quartz counters from Caesarstone, huge format (18x48) tile backsplash from Apavisa and some good solid stainless steel sinkware. Other important items not to overlook include some great and effective LED task lighting and plenty of lighting circuits that allow you to create lighting “moods”. This kitchen has layers of lighting.

White 3D wave tile set vertically for a subtle movement effect perfectly frames this gorgeous matte gray freestanding tub, with a generous built in niche. Finishing the shower with a leather finish natural stone adds a little more texture and color.

ACRYLIC or Full Coverage Roofing Systems. Sunspace understands that the most critical part of any Sunroom is the roof. Sunspace Acrylic Roof Systems protect your family from the effects of harmful UV rays and in climate weather without the sacrifice of the sun’s natural light. Your choice of an elegant Cathedral Ceiling or a Contemporary Studio Pitch Roof are part of every Sunroom. Your needs may require a roof only over an existing deck or porch or perhaps a carport. No more sun or rain driving you inside with a new Sunspace Roof System! Either way Sunspace has you covered!

Compensating for the bathroom’s lack of natural light, the ceiling treatment allows light to filter from above; when reflected in the mirror it gives the effect of sunlight. Recessed medicine cabinets are concealed behind the mirrored fixture. The spa-like open shower is reflected in the mirror.

Rob Myers
Inspiration for a timeless family room remodel in Cleveland with a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Kitchen wallpaper installation – Aurora, IL This kitchen project in Aurora features tile-effect wallpaper in cobalt blue and golden ochre, inspired by Mediterranean ceramics. We installed washable vinyl behind counters and appliances, trimming precisely around outlets and under cabinetry. The result adds warmth, color, and texture without tile dust or grout.

This family room retreat is all dressed up for company, but quickly turns into a sports and movies mecca when the hidden television is revealed. Lighting is everything! It highlights and contrasts the natural stone columns and the subtle distressing of the almost ebony wood stained cabinetry. The best of both worlds in every way!

Kitchen wallpaper installation – Aurora, IL This kitchen project in Aurora features tile-effect wallpaper in cobalt blue and golden ochre, inspired by Mediterranean ceramics. We installed washable vinyl behind counters and appliances, trimming precisely around outlets and under cabinetry. The result adds warmth, color, and texture without tile dust or grout.

Replacing a large roman tub, K. Rue Designs created this large island for storage and open display shelving. A simle yet effective design statement on the floor tile outlines the island. His and her sinks are separated with a tall pier cabinet with designated space on both sides. Tons of lighting illuminates the space for putting on makeup, making a cup of coffee, and getting ready for the day. Coordinating cabinetry conceals the coffee station and is accented with colorful artwork on the wall.

Kitchen wallpaper installation – Aurora, IL This kitchen project in Aurora features tile-effect wallpaper in cobalt blue and golden ochre, inspired by Mediterranean ceramics. We installed washable vinyl behind counters and appliances, trimming precisely around outlets and under cabinetry. The result adds warmth, color, and texture without tile dust or grout.

Lowes Products for Cost Effective Reno
Example of a classic bathroom design in Sacramento

Grout haze or grout smears as it is often called can be a huge problem when laying tiles. Grout haze is basically grout that has been left to dry on the surface of the tile after installation. It’s a common problem which is exacerbated by the use of quick drying products. Take for example this interesting Wood Effect Ceramic Tile installation at a house in Guildford following installation by a builder. I was a bit slow in following up on the initial enquiry as we had been very busy so by the time, I got in touch I was told they had employed someone else to carry out the work. I apologised for my late response and said to call me if he needed help in the future. Three days later I got a call so we arranged a visit so that I could carry out a test and quote a price. As it turns out the builder had returned and failed to remove the grout haze and so had a rival firm that seemed more interested in selling unnecessary sealer than fixing the problem. I was astonished to see what a state the builder had left his floor. Grout was all over the floor with footprints walked across thresholds and more. I could understand it if there was some grout was missed after installation but not to this level! I carried out a successful test and confirmed to the customer that there was absolutely no need to rip and replace his £2k floor. We agreed a date to resolve the problem and to say he was relieved was an understatement! The builders had used Mapei grout which contains polymers. Polymers offer better flexibility and adhesion, however in order to remove the grout haze we would first need to break down the polymers in the grout first and this is why the rival firm failed. With that in mind, my first action was to apply Tile Doctor Remove and Go to the floor and leave it to dwell for five to ten minutes. I then worked it into the tile using a scrubbing pad fitted to a rotary machine. After washing the soil away with warm water and extracting with a wet vacuum I applied Tile Doctor Grout Clean-up to treat the grout. Grout Clean-up is an acid-based product that breaks down the grout so it can be rinsed away and extracted as before. Afterwards I rinsed the floor with warm water and extracted again to remove any trace of product and neutralise the floor. After removing as much moisture as possible with the wet vacuum I speed dried the tiles with a blower. Ceramic tiles won’t accept a sealer so once the floor had dried the job was finished and it took less than a day. The customer was over the moon with the difference. While his floor was in such a state, he has been unable to bring in new furniture as the serious possibility of removing the tiles was hanging over him. Relieved that the problem was now resolved he kindly left the following review: “I had a floor that had just been laid with very heavy grout haze. I had already had advice from two other professional floor cleaners who had advised me that the floor was irreparable and would need to be pulled up. As soon as I spoke with Rupert, it was clear he was extremely knowledgeable. He asked questions none of the other companies had. By understanding the specific nature of the problem, he was able to solve it by first removing the grout polymers and then applying an acid wash. The floor came up brilliantly. Rupert was the only person I spoke to that could fix this, everyone else told me I needed to replace my floor! Superbly knowledgeable, professional and did an excellent job. Don’t bother speaking to anyone else, just call Rupert! “ Rupert Mcleod West Surrey Tile Doctor

We absolutely love what Alana Fletcher did with this space. A secret kitchen slash wetbar that is so seamless you'd almost miss it. A perfect additional to any sized space but especially effective for space saving entertainers.

Mid-sized mountain style ceramic tile living room photo in Singapore with white walls

The latest addition to the Upholstery Essentials family is a collection of designs printed on a soft micro-velvet cloth to mimic the look of wovens, ranging from a subtle basket texture effect to a bold tweed look. All patterns pass 35-75K double rubs Wyzenbeek. View the collection here: https://www.maxwellfabrics.com/book/UPHOLSTERY-ESSENTIALS-TEXTURES-V-WEAVE-EFFECTS

We absolutely love what Alana Fletcher did with this space. A secret kitchen slash wetbar that is so seamless you'd almost miss it. A perfect additional to any sized space but especially effective for space saving entertainers.