Traditional Style Wall & Steps using Techo-Bloc's Semma wall & Röcka steps.
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional backyard landscaping in Other.

A long-term client was expecting her third child. Alas, this meant that baby number two was getting booted from the coveted nursery as his sister before him had. The most convenient room in the house for the son, was dad’s home office, and dad would be relocated into the garage carriage house. For the new bedroom, mom requested a bold, colorful space with a truck theme. The existing office had no door and was located at the end of a long dark hallway that had been painted black by the last homeowners. First order of business was to lighten the hall and create a wall space for functioning doors. The awkward architecture of the room with 3 alcove windows, slanted ceilings and built-in bookcases proved an inconvenient location for furniture placement. We opted to place the bed close the wall so the two-year-old wouldn’t fall out. The solid wood bed and nightstand were constructed in the US and painted in vibrant shades to match the bedding and roman shades. The amazing irregular wall stripes were inherited from the previous homeowner but were also black and proved too dark for a toddler. Both myself and the client loved them and decided to have them re-painted in a daring blue. The daring fabric used on the windows counter- balance the wall stripes. Window seats and a built-in toy storage were constructed to make use of the alcove windows. Now, the room is not only fun and bright, but functional.

We were asked to create something really special for one of our most admired clients. This home has been a labor of love for both of us as we finally made it exactly what she wanted it to be. After many concept ideas we landed on a design that is stunning! All of the elements on her wish list are incorporated in this challenging, multi-level landscape: A front yard to match the modern traditional-style home while creating privacy from the street; a side yard that proudly connects the front and back; and a lower level with plantings in lush greens, whites, purples and pinks and plentiful lawn space for kids and dogs. Her outdoor living space includes an outdoor kitchen with bar, outdoor living room with fireplace, dining patio, a bedroom-adjacent lounging patio with modern fountain, enclosed vegetable garden, rose garden walk with European-style fountain and meditation bench, and a fire pit with sitting area on the upper level to take in the panoramic views of the sunset over the wooded ridge. Outdoor lighting brings it alive at night, and for parties you can’t beat the killer sound system!

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   The Klimala’s and their three kids are no strangers to moving, this being their fifth house in the same town over the 20-year period they have lived there. “It must be the 7-year itch, because every seven years, we seem to find ourselves antsy for a new project or a new environment. I think part of it is being a designer, I see my own taste evolve and I want my environment to reflect that. Having easy access to wonderful tradesmen and a knowledge of the process makes it that much easier”. This time, Klimala’s fell in love with a somewhat unlikely candidate. The 1950’s ranch turned cape cod was a bit of a mutt, but it’s location 5 minutes from their design studio and backing up to the high school where their kids can roll out of bed and walk to school, coupled with the charm of its location on a private road and lush landscaping made it an appealing choice for them. “The bones of the house were really charming. It was typical 1,500 square foot ranch that at some point someone added a second floor to. Its sloped roofline and dormered bedrooms gave it some charm.” With the help of architect Maureen McHugh, Klimala’s gutted and reworked the layout to make the house work for them. An open concept kitchen and dining room allows for more frequent casual family dinners and dinner parties that linger. A dingy 3-season room off the back of the original house was insulated, given a vaulted ceiling with skylights and now opens up to the kitchen. This room now houses an 8’ raw edge white oak dining table and functions as an informal dining room. “One of the challenges with these mid-century homes is the 8’ ceilings. I had to have at least one room that had a higher ceiling so that’s how we did it” states Klimala. The kitchen features a 10’ island which houses a 5’0” Galley Sink. The Galley features two faucets, and double tiered rail system to which accessories such as cutting boards and stainless steel bowls can be added for ease of cooking. Across from the large sink is an induction cooktop. “My two teen daughters and I enjoy cooking, and the Galley and induction cooktop make it so easy.” A wall of tall cabinets features a full size refrigerator, freezer, double oven and built in coffeemaker. The area on the opposite end of the kitchen features a pantry with mirrored glass doors and a beverage center below. The rest of the first floor features an entry way, a living room with views to the front yard’s lush landscaping, a family room where the family hangs out to watch TV, a back entry from the garage with a laundry room and mudroom area, one of the home’s four bedrooms and a full bath. There is a double sided fireplace between the family room and living room. The home features pops of color from the living room’s peach grass cloth to purple painted wall in the family room. “I’m definitely a traditionalist at heart but because of the home’s Midcentury roots, I wanted to incorporate some of those elements into the furniture, lighting and accessories which also ended up being really fun. We are not formal people so I wanted a house that my kids would enjoy, have their friends over and feel comfortable.” The second floor houses the master bedroom suite, two of the kids’ bedrooms and a back room nicknamed “the library” because it has turned into a quiet get away area where the girls can study or take a break from the rest of the family. The area was originally unfinished attic, and because the home was short on closet space, this Jack and Jill area off the girls’ bedrooms houses two large walk-in closets and a small sitting area with a makeup vanity. “The girls really wanted to keep the exposed brick of the fireplace that runs up the through the space, so that’s what we did, and I think they feel like they are in their own little loft space in the city when they are up there” says Klimala. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Carlos Vergara For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Kids Play room interior design by Midtown Studios LLC, Nicole Pereira Photography
Example of a transitional kids' room design in New York

Contact our office concerning price or customization of this Kids Bedroom Set. 347-492-55-55 This kids bedroom furniture set is made in Italy from the fines materials available on market. This bedroom set is a perfect solution for those looking for high quality kids furniture with great storage capabilities to embellish and organize the children`s bedroom. This Italian bedroom set also does not take lots of space in the room, using up only the smallest space required to provide room with storage as well as plenty of room for your kids to play. All the pieces within this kids furniture collection are made with a durable and easy to clean melamine on both sides, which is available for ordering in a variety of matt colors that can be mixed and matched to make your kids bedroom bright and colorful. Please contact our office concerning details on customization of this kids bedroom set. The starting price is for the "As Shown" composition that includes the following elements: 1 Composition Bridge 1 Twin Storage or Trundle platform bed (bed fits US standard Twin size mattress 39" x 75") Please Note: Room/bed decorative accessories and the mattress are not included in the price. MATERIAL/CONSTRUCTION: E1-Class ecological panels, which are produced exclusively through a wood recycling production process Bases 0.7" thick melamine Back panels 0.12" thick MDF Doors 0.7" thick melamine Front drawers 0.7" thick melamine Dimensions: Composition Bridge: W116" x D33.5" x H84" Twin bed frame with internal dimensions W39" x D75" (US Standard)

For this couple, planning to move back to their rambler home in Arlington after living overseas for few years, they were ready to get rid of clutter, clean up their grown-up kids’ boxes, and transform their home into their dream home for their golden years. The old home included a box-like 8 feet x 10 feet kitchen, no family room, three small bedrooms and two back to back small bathrooms. The laundry room was located in a small dark space of the unfinished basement. This home is located in a cul-de-sac, on an uphill lot, of a very secluded neighborhood with lots of new homes just being built around them. The couple consulted an architectural firm in past but never were satisfied with the final plans. They approached Michael Nash Custom Kitchens hoping for fresh ideas. The backyard and side yard are wooded and the existing structure was too close to building restriction lines. We developed design plans and applied for special permits to achieve our client’s goals. The remodel includes a family room, sunroom, breakfast area, home office, large master bedroom suite, large walk-in closet, main level laundry room, lots of windows, front porch, back deck, and most important than all an elevator from lower to upper level given them and their close relative a necessary easier access. The new plan added extra dimensions to this rambler on all four sides. Starting from the front, we excavated to allow a first level entrance, storage, and elevator room. Building just above it, is a 12 feet x 30 feet covered porch with a leading brick staircase. A contemporary cedar rail with horizontal stainless steel cable rail system on both the front porch and the back deck sets off this project from any others in area. A new foyer with double frosted stainless-steel door was added which contains the elevator. The garage door was widened and a solid cedar door was installed to compliment the cedar siding. The left side of this rambler was excavated to allow a storage off the garage and extension of one of the old bedrooms to be converted to a large master bedroom suite, master bathroom suite and walk-in closet. We installed matching brick for a seam-less exterior look. The entire house was furnished with new Italian imported highly custom stainless-steel windows and doors. We removed several brick and block structure walls to put doors and floor to ceiling windows. A full walk in shower with barn style frameless glass doors, double vanities covered with selective stone, floor to ceiling porcelain tile make the master bathroom highly accessible. The other two bedrooms were reconfigured with new closets, wider doorways, new wood floors and wider windows. Just outside of the bedroom, a new laundry room closet was a major upgrade. A second HVAC system was added in the attic for all new areas. The back side of the master bedroom was covered with floor to ceiling windows and a door to step into a new deck covered in trex and cable railing. This addition provides a view to wooded area of the home. By excavating and leveling the backyard, we constructed a two story 15’x 40’ addition that provided the tall ceiling for the family room just adjacent to new deck, a breakfast area a few steps away from the remodeled kitchen. Upscale stainless-steel appliances, floor to ceiling white custom cabinetry and quartz counter top, and fun lighting improved this back section of the house with its increased lighting and available work space. Just below this addition, there is extra space for exercise and storage room. This room has a pair of sliding doors allowing more light inside. The right elevation has a trapezoid shape addition with floor to ceiling windows and space used as a sunroom/in-home office. Wide plank wood floors were installed throughout the main level for continuity. The hall bathroom was gutted and expanded to allow a new soaking tub and large vanity. The basement half bathroom was converted to a full bathroom, new flooring and lighting in the entire basement changed the purpose of the basement for entertainment and spending time with grandkids. Off white and soft tone were used inside and out as the color schemes to make this rambler spacious and illuminated. Final grade and landscaping, by adding a few trees, trimming the old cherry and walnut trees in backyard, saddling the yard, and a new concrete driveway and walkway made this home a unique and charming gem in the neighborhood.

Alice G Patterson Photography
Example of a mid-sized transitional light wood floor kids' room design in Burlington with white walls

Once a forgotten pass-through cluttered with debris and two unused gates, this side yard was completely reimagined into a peaceful, purposeful garden path. Reused flagstone from a small, underused patio now forms a meandering walkway that connects the front of the house to the backyard. A large ceramic pot, previously hidden in a corner, was repositioned as a sculptural focal point—now beautifully visible from the dining room. Custom-designed cable-wire trellises add a clean architectural line to the fence, offering support for the beautiful flowering vines. Shade-loving plants complete the transformation, bringing life and texture to this newly functional, artful space.

Side yard turf
This is an example of a drought-tolerant and partial sun side yard landscaping in Sacramento.

Side yard turf
Photo of a drought-tolerant and shade side yard landscaping in Sacramento.

The Harmony Gardens Landscaping team has been fortunate to work with many homeowners in Barrhaven who are eager to put special touches on their property. More often than not, this involves enhancing the front yard and side access area. Curb appeal is essential, so we work hard to design spaces that are more visually appealing, while also paying close attention to promoting harmony in the eco-system. As you will see from the progression of photos, this home now has a very welcoming front yard and side yard. Need help making your property more welcoming? Ask our team for a personal consultation!

The Harmony Gardens Landscaping team has been fortunate to work with many homeowners in Barrhaven who are eager to put special touches on their property. More often than not, this involves enhancing the front yard and side access area. Curb appeal is essential, so we work hard to design spaces that are more visually appealing, while also paying close attention to promoting harmony in the eco-system. As you will see from the progression of photos, this home now has a very welcoming front yard and side yard. Need help making your property more welcoming? Ask our team for a personal consultation!

The Harmony Gardens Landscaping team has been fortunate to work with many homeowners in Barrhaven who are eager to put special touches on their property. More often than not, this involves enhancing the front yard and side access area. Curb appeal is essential, so we work hard to design spaces that are more visually appealing, while also paying close attention to promoting harmony in the eco-system. As you will see from the progression of photos, this home now has a very welcoming front yard and side yard. Need help making your property more welcoming? Ask our team for a personal consultation!

The Harmony Gardens Landscaping team has been fortunate to work with many homeowners in Barrhaven who are eager to put special touches on their property. More often than not, this involves enhancing the front yard and side access area. Curb appeal is essential, so we work hard to design spaces that are more visually appealing, while also paying close attention to promoting harmony in the eco-system. As you will see from the progression of photos, this home now has a very welcoming front yard and side yard. Need help making your property more welcoming? Ask our team for a personal consultation!

The Harmony Gardens Landscaping team has been fortunate to work with many homeowners in Barrhaven who are eager to put special touches on their property. More often than not, this involves enhancing the front yard and side access area. Curb appeal is essential, so we work hard to design spaces that are more visually appealing, while also paying close attention to promoting harmony in the eco-system. As you will see from the progression of photos, this home now has a very welcoming front yard and side yard. Need help making your property more welcoming? Ask our team for a personal consultation!

The Harmony Gardens Landscaping team has been fortunate to work with many homeowners in Barrhaven who are eager to put special touches on their property. More often than not, this involves enhancing the front yard and side access area. Curb appeal is essential, so we work hard to design spaces that are more visually appealing, while also paying close attention to promoting harmony in the eco-system. As you will see from the progression of photos, this home now has a very welcoming front yard and side yard. Need help making your property more welcoming? Ask our team for a personal consultation!

A full hardscape transformation using Unilock pavers throughout the backyard patio and side yard walkway, with flagstone on the porch and natural stone split-face steps adding rustic character at the entry. River rock edging along the side yard keeps things clean and low maintenance. A classic, cohesive design built to handle Ontario winters and look great year-round.