A key element of the renovation involved embracing energy-efficient design solutions to reduce its environmental impact and increase savings from reduced electric bills. Existing windows were replaced with energy-efficient fenestration, and when it came to selecting the opening glass wall systems for the kitchen, NanaWall Systems offered the ideal product. The SL60 folding window doors feature double and triple glazed glass options that maintain desired temperatures indoors while keeping extreme heat and cold outside. In addition, specialized seals provide superior humidity and water control from entering the home during inclement weather, creating comfortable indoor/outdoor living spaces year-round. As a NanaWall system, SL60 has been tested for air, water, structural, and forced entry with excellent results.

A modern dining room design that combines both fancy and cozy in the most elegant and sophisticated way. An open space designed especially for the family of a business entrepreneur where he can entertain his business colleagues and have the most wonderful quality time with his family. The key elements to having a bright, sophisticated, minimalist open family room are chrome, Glass, and a neutral color palette.

The objective was to create a warm neutral space to later customize to a specific colour palate/preference of the end user for this new construction home being built to sell. A high-end contemporary feel was requested to attract buyers in the area. An impressive kitchen that exuded high class and made an impact on guests as they entered the home, without being overbearing. The space offers an appealing open floorplan conducive to entertaining with indoor-outdoor flow. Due to the spec nature of this house, the home had to remain appealing to the builder, while keeping a broad audience of potential buyers in mind. The challenge lay in creating a unique look, with visually interesting materials and finishes, while not being so unique that potential owners couldn’t envision making it their own. The focus on key elements elevates the look, while other features blend and offer support to these striking components. As the home was built for sale, profitability was important; materials were sourced at best value, while retaining high-end appeal. Adaptations to the home’s original design plan improve flow and usability within the kitchen-greatroom. The client desired a rich dark finish. The chosen colours tie the kitchen to the rest of the home (creating unity as combination, colours and materials, is repeated throughout). Photos- Paul Grdina

Q: The whole experience of walking through your gardens, lakeside, and home feels quite a bit like stepping back through time via a classic book! There are a whole lot of details all coming together here to make this happen but can you describe a few key elements? A: Yes I wanted this to look like a cottage that has been from the early 1900 hence why I’ve done all the stone work, heritage siding, and leaded windows. I wanted to fit into the landscape of lake Simcoe, and I chose this property for the landscape. I also wanted to bring the outdoors inside, and that’s why I have used a lot of wash lighting and glass in the house.

A modern dining room design that combines both fancy and cozy in the most elegant and sophisticated way. An open space designed especially for the family of a business entrepreneur where he can entertain his business colleagues and have the most wonderful quality time with his family. The key elements to having a bright, sophisticated, minimalist open family room are chrome, Glass, and a neutral color palette.

These empty-nesters designed their dream “in-town home” by evolving the kitchen in their former home to meet their needs today. The owner loves to entertain, and there were three key elements behind the design to make this kitchen a cook’s dream: accommodating a generous banquette for seating, an L shaped island with two full-sized sinks and dishwashers along with virtually indestructible Pyrolave countertops with integrated drainboards.

Sunset Construction and Design specializes in creating residential patio retreats, outdoor kitchens with fireplaces and luxurious outdoor living rooms. Our design-build service can turn an ordinary back yard into a natural extension of your home giving you a whole new dimension for entertaining or simply unwinding at the end of the day. Today, almost any activity you enjoy inside your home you can bring to the outside. Depending on your budget, your outdoor room can be simple, with a stamped concrete patio, a grill and a table for dining, or more elaborate with a fully functional outdoor kitchen complete with concrete countertops for preparing and serving food, a sink and a refrigerator. You can take the concept even further by adding such amenities as a concrete pizza oven, a fireplace or fire-pit, a concrete bar-top for serving cocktails, an architectural concrete fountain, landscape lighting and concrete statuary. Cooking Something to cook with, such as a barbecue grill or wood-fired pizza oven, and countertops for food preparation and serving are key elements in a well-designed outdoor kitchen. Concrete countertops offer the advantages of weather resistance and versatility, since they can be formed into any shape you desire to suit the space. A coat of sealer will simplify cleanup by protecting your countertop from stains. Other amenities, such as concrete bar-tops and outdoor sinks with plumbing, can expand your entertainment options. Hearth Wood-burning or gas fireplaces, fire pits, chimineas and portable patio heaters extend the enjoyment of outdoor living well into the evening while creating a cozy conversation area for people to gather around. If you’re interested in converting a boring back yard or starting from scratch in a new home, look us up! A great patio and outdoor living area can easily be yours. Greg, Sunset Construction & Design in Fresno, CA.

*AFTER PICTURE* This fully virtual design project was a collaboration with a Connecticut-based designer for a young professional woman looking to refresh her bathroom. The goal was to blend mid-century modern elegance with contemporary luxury, creating a sophisticated, functional retreat. I worked around key elements the client already had, like gold faucets and shower hardware, and took charge of selecting everything else—from limestone polished floor tiles to deep green zellige bathroom tiles, a custom toilet room door, wallpaper, and decorative accents. I designed a neutral color palette to complement the tiles and added a gold wall sconce, tying the space together with sophistication. The heated towel rack and matching accents brought warmth to the space, all coordinated online with samples delivered across the country.

Black siding transformed this home in Maple Grove. This project left a lasting impression, transforming a home with worn and outdated vinyl siding which had been damaged by hail and Minnesota’s harsh climate, in a lakeside retreat. The homeowners sought a fresh look that would elevate both the aesthetic and functionality of their property, making the most of the beautiful lakeside views. The first major update involved replacing the tired vinyl siding with James Hardie board and batten siding in the striking Shou Sugi Ban color. This deep, rich color brings an elegant, modern look to the home, offering both timeless appeal and exceptional durability. The board and batten style adds texture and sophistication, making the home stand out in the neighborhood. To complement the dark siding, light-colored cultured stone was added to the front and lakeside, creating a beautiful contrast and enhancing the home’s curb appeal. The cultured stone not only adds a natural, rustic feel but also integrates seamlessly with the overall design, providing a warm, inviting entrance and lakeside view. Another key element of the remodel was the transformation of the home’s windows. A bank of smaller windows was removed, replaced by a massive Marvin window that now serves as the focal point of the living room, offering unobstructed views of the serene lake. The project also included the removal of several diamond-shaped windows and a six-foot patio door, which were replaced with a sleek 16-foot patio door. This new installation opened up the space, flooding the home with natural light and creating a seamless connection between the interior and the outdoor beauty of the lake. With these updates, the home in Maple Grove is now a stunning showcase of modern design and functionality, blending sophisticated materials with breathtaking views.

Embodying many of the key elements that are iconic in craftsman design, the rooms of this home are both luxurious and welcoming. From a kitchen with a statement range hood and dramatic chiseled edge quartz countertops, to a character-rich basement bar and lounge area, to a fashion-lover's dream master closet, this stunning family home has a special charm for everyone and the perfect space for everything.

Want to turn your kitchen into a Modern masterpiece? This kitchen received a massive makeover, one of the key elements is AyA’s Newport shaker style door with a Latte finish and a quartz countertop. The addition of stainless steel appliances completes this contemporary update.

Builder's bulkheads... were a cheap simple way for home builders of years past (hopefully past) to cut costs and streamline projects, but cast away key elements such as functionality and aesthetics. Removing them...can be very complex...but extremely rewarding. Plumbing, structural, electrical and hvac components can lie hidden behind causing all manner of challenges. All worth it...wouldn't you agree?

This dysfunctional kitchen was in need of an update to increase both function and style. By moving some key elements, we were able to add a lot of additional counter space. We also solved a lack of natural light by adding three large skylights. The natural stone quartzite countertops are the star of this kitchen and we ran them up the backsplash for a clean look that really makes a statement.

Design & Supply: Astro Design Centre (Ottawa, Canada) Photo Credit: Doublespace Photography FT. The Ideal Workstation Sink available at Astro. The footprint was designed around a few key elements; a wine display storage, the dining room, family room, walk in pantry and the exterior deck. With multiple entry and exit points, majority of the kitchens function was centered in the room with two large scaled islands. Both islands are identical in scale and finish, equipped with Bianco quartzite countertops and hand scraped Pine washed cabinet fronts. An integrated custom steel frame provides support for the countertop. While one island serves as a working station for food prep, the other island services as an eat-in counter area. This kitchen satisfies the needs of a large family as well as the needs of a large party!

The Key Elements for a Cozy Farmhouse Kitchen Design. ... “Classic American farmhouse style includes shiplap, exposed wood beams, and open shelving,” Mushkudiani says. “Mixed materials like wicker, wood, and metal accents add dimension, colors are predominantly neutral: camel, white, and matte black

This custom landscape installation in Parker, Colorado was designed to complement a newly built home with a clean, Modern Country aesthetic. As part of a large‑scale exterior project in the Metro Denver area, the landscape was crafted to enhance curb appeal, support long‑term durability, and create a welcoming outdoor environment that feels cohesive with the home’s architecture and surrounding terrain. The design focuses on structure, simplicity, and natural flow—key elements of Modern Country style. Hardscape features establish strong visual lines and functional outdoor spaces, while plant selections were chosen for climate suitability, seasonal interest, and long‑term sustainability. Each component was tailored to the property’s layout and the homeowner’s vision for a refined yet inviting exterior. Because this is a new‑construction landscape, the installation serves as the foundation for the home’s future outdoor living potential. The layout balances open areas with defined planting zones, ensuring the landscape will mature beautifully over time. Materials and colors were selected to harmonize with the home’s exterior finishes, creating a unified look from the street to the entryway and throughout the property. This project reflects the thoughtful planning and craftsmanship behind every Stone & Flower Gardens installation—bringing together design, function, and Colorado’s natural beauty to create an exterior that feels timeless, resilient, and ready to grow with the home.

Today, almost any activity you enjoy inside your home you can bring to the outside. Depending on your budget, your outdoor room can be simple, with a stamped concrete patio, a grill and a table for dining, or more elaborate with a fully functional outdoor kitchen complete with concrete countertops for preparing and serving food, a sink and a refrigerator. You can take the concept even further by adding such amenities as a concrete pizza oven, a fireplace or fire-pit, a concrete bar-top for serving cocktails, an architectural concrete fountain, landscape lighting and concrete statuary. Cooking Something to cook with, such as a barbecue grill or wood-fired pizza oven, and countertops for food preparation and serving are key elements in a well-designed outdoor kitchen. Concrete countertops offer the advantages of weather resistance and versatility, since they can be formed into any shape you desire to suit the space. A coat of sealer will simplify cleanup by protecting your countertop from stains. Other amenities, such as concrete bar-tops and outdoor sinks with plumbing, can expand your entertainment options. Hearth Wood-burning or gas fireplaces, fire pits, chimineas and portable patio heaters extend the enjoyment of outdoor living well into the evening while creating a cozy conversation area for people to gather around. Sunset Construction and Design specializes in creating residential patio retreats, outdoor kitchens with fireplaces and luxurious outdoor living rooms. Our design-build service can turn an ordinary back yard into a natural extension of your home giving you a whole new dimension for entertaining or simply unwinding at the end of the day. If you’re interested in converting a boring back yard or starting from scratch in a new home, look us up! A great patio and outdoor living area can easily be yours. Greg, Sunset Construction & Design in Fresno, CA.

The owners of this 1980’s built-home wanted to create a completely new look for their outdated master bath and turned to Renovisions for design and build services. Having perused Renovisions website, they were confident they made the right choice to help them transform their ordinary space into something truly extraordinary. The design team created several configurations for the homeowners review until they nailed down one particular design that would create that wow factor. The main challenges were creating an open, spacious feel and maximizing natural light and ventilation with plenty of storage and customizations. The addition of a second window allows ample light into the space throughout the day along with the recessed and sconce lights which were perfectly placed. Storage, which was a key element of this design, includes two separate vanity cabinets (his and hers) with plenty of space for needed toiletries, a matching framed medicine cabinet for her and a custom built cubby for him. Built on site was a linen closet with both roll out and stationary shelves for towels and shower supplies. The spacious walk-in, all tiled shower boasts ‘no door’ access with lineal drain, traditional fixed and hand-held shower heads and a rounded shower seat. Polished black granite was used inside the cubby and topping both the threshold and seat creating a nice contrast to and tying in with the floor. The decorative grab bar ensures safety for these homeowners while showering. The heated floors added throughout the bath take the edge off when stepping out of the warm shower and are conveniently operated by a 24 hour programmable thermostat. Classic white subway tile and chair rail trims adorne all walls and tie in nicely to each vanity station. Carrera look quartz was the perfect choice for countertops creating a clean fresh look. Stunning marble basket-weave mosaic floor tile set the stage in this exquisite bath as the beautiful white painted cabinetry softened the overall feel of the space. These homeowners are not saving spa retreats for once-a-year vacations anymore, they now enjoy a relaxing spa-like shower experience every day in their own home!

A large double sided island anchors this beautiful bright white walk-in closet. Featuring floor to ceiling custom cabinetry, enclosed upper cabinets, handbag and shoe display cases, mirrors and glass doors. Integrated LED lighting is a key element in our closets. Brass closets rods, pull-out valet rods and a stunning chandelier finish out this transitional closet.