Solus contemporary drinks ring/table accessory for the Hemi fire bowl shown here at Predator Ridge resort, BC, Canada. Hemi fire bowl available in sizes 26" 36" and 48" The Solus thin elegant profile adds an artistic architectural element to any outdoor space. At 16.5” ( 415mm ) tall, the fire bowl creates an instant gathering place, providing warmth and atmosphere for relaxed conversation, al fresco dining or having outdoor time with the family ( kids love it ! ). The standard Fire pit Hemi 36 is available with a natural gas/lp or bio fuel burner. We offer manual lit and electronic ignition which produces substantial heat for any outdoor space. Should it be a requirement for a residence, hotel or restaurant an additional glass protective shield can be ordered. The Firebowl Hemi 36 is available in 10 Solus High Performance Concrete colours. Solus has also designed a custom hardwood table top and all metal tops which can be utilized on those days that you need a table and not a roaring fire. An all weather cover custom fabricated for Solus is an option which greatly extends the warranty of all Solus fire pits.

A giant 1000 sq.ft. deck built on a renovated farmhouse. Composite decking gives the appearance of old hardwood without the maintenance that wood requires.

This small luxury bathroom is designed to maximize space in a tiny bathroom. A full sized tub was required so the sink and toilet had to provide functionality while taking as little space as possible. The first trick to making the space feel larger is to keep the floor as open as possible. For this I first used a wall hung toilet. Then I recessed the vanity base on the exposed sides. The custom vanity is where the real action happens. This multi-function, custom built vanity provides many solutions. The toilet paper and tissues are mounted in the side. The fan switch is there too for convenience. The sink is offset to allow for some usable counter space. The faucet is wall mounted for the same reason. A small slot provide for waste eliminating the need for a basket on the floor. Then small drawers provide convenient storage for all the little items we all need in the bathroom. Of course the medicine cabinet provides addition storage, it is internally lit, has an internal outlet, and has a defogger function. Lastly, there is a hidden feature for the kids. The toe kick in front of the sink is actually a recessed step that can be pulled to assist in reaching the sink.

A challenging landscape transforms into the ideal family space. Having a sloped, unusable backyard isn’t a deterrent for the designers of D. A. Dunlevy. This residential project required moving a great deal of the property’s soil in order to create usable space for entertaining, relaxing, and sports. By cutting into the existing hill and adding a retaining wall, we were able to create a large green space that allowed the kids to play lacrosse. A custom flagstone patio, stone firepit, and outdoor furnishings were designed along with custom plantings to provide the perfect place for entertaining friends and family. To complete the design of this lovely property, a flagstone walkway and additional plantings were installed in the front of the house. The weeping redbud was used as a focal point in the landscape design.

A 6,000 square foot 2-story new home complex in Milpitas was designed to facilitate the owners’ large business parties and gatherings, to have rooms for the kids to come back to upstairs, and a ground floor master suite with a huge walk-in closet. Several separate structures make up the dwelling: The main house, 3-car garage with carport for overflow parking, and a separate entertainment and recreation building separated by a courtyard from the main house. The business activities include gatherings in the hundreds of people, so parking was maximized and guests can flow in through a separate gate to party in the courtyard and recreation building. Inside this structure is a wet bar, billiard room, workout gym and home theater. The main house ground floor has formal and informal living rooms, open kitchen and master suite with views and expansive windows in every direction. The house is sited on the crestline of a hill with views of the San Francisco Bay and private golf course below. The indoor-outdoor aspect of the house is further accentuated with outside living and dining areas. High ceilings and expansive glass walls dissolve the sense of enclosure taking advantage of the site’s openness and privacy. The owner’s suite is downstairs in anticipation of aging-in-place, and upstairs there are three bedrooms and four bathrooms plus a sitting area lounge and casual TV loft area. The house sits on one acre at the top of a low hill range overlooking Milpitas. The city was very cognizant of the importance of keeping a low profile at this crestline and required extensive story poles and photo evidence of the proper height and siting so as not to be seen from certain selected vantage points. GENERAL CONTRACTOR: JCD Builders Inc. LANDSCAPE DESIGN: Morf Chang Landscape Architecture / ODS Architecture PHOTOGRAPHS: Paul Dyer Photography

The intent of this was project was to create a porch addition to expand the living area of the house during the warm months of the year. The space accommodates an area for cooking, dining and entertaining. The layout and finishes were chosen to flow with the interior of the home, creating a seamless extension of house. The collar ties add a custom detail making this structure custom and unique. The built-in kitchen is located directly outside the back door. A small veneer wall creates a separation from the kitchen to the dining table, while also doubling as a seat or serving area for the chef. The ‘L’ shaped sectional is a cozy sitting area for the family to relax by the new concrete fire table, or to sit in the shade and watch the kids play in the backyard. The structure is cladded in a PVC material which achieves the clean and simple look that the client was hoping for. The cladding material is also very low maintenance and will continue to look great for many years to come. Although the client was really drawn to modern design, they wanted to make sure that the porch wouldn’t look out of place with the house. To achieve a look that met their aesthetic requirements, the structure was kept relatively traditional, but a modern flare was achieved with the addition of simple plantings, accents, and natural square cut stepping-stones.

This is the Teen Lounge at my Waters Edge Project. We had to make sure that all the requirements for this space was met. It is a lounge for my client’s teens and it also has to serve as a fully functional space for when their friends or son visits from abroad. In the first image - behind the Oak bi-fold doors on the left is a neat little kitchenette. Next to the kitchenette on the right is a pull down Murphy Bed which when pulled down contains a very comfy double bed with upholstered headboard and lighting. The A V Unit houses the audiovisual equipment and games as well as the TV. The Family can snuggle up on the comfy wrap-around couches and watch a movie as there’s more than enough space for everyone. The correct choice of accessories, fabrics, and textured wall paper, as well as the styling is vital in a multi-functional room like this. This is how to design every little detail and have all the furniture custom made so that everything sits perfectly in this space.

This is the Teen Lounge at my Waters Edge Project. We had to make sure that all the requirements for this space was met. It is a lounge for my client’s teens and it also has to serve as a fully functional space for when their friends or son visits from abroad. In the first image - behind the Oak bi-fold doors on the left is a neat little kitchenette. Next to the kitchenette on the right is a pull down Murphy Bed which when pulled down contains a very comfy double bed with upholstered headboard and lighting. The A V Unit houses the audiovisual equipment and games as well as the TV. The Family can snuggle up on the comfy wrap-around couches and watch a movie as there’s more than enough space for everyone. The correct choice of accessories, fabrics, and textured wall paper, as well as the styling is vital in a multi-functional room like this. This is how to design every little detail and have all the furniture custom made so that everything sits perfectly in this space.

The client's objective was to create a space that could accommodate family time as well as a kids play area. They also required additional specific storage solutions, and wanted everything custom designed and built-in in order to create an equal balance of functionality and beauty. Both the laundry and basement have been designed with elegance.

• available in off-white, chocolate, grey and ebony • solid hardwood and veneer construction • requires box spring • recessed panel construction
Example of a classic bedroom design in Vancouver

For this project we renovated unused attic space to create an entire 3rd floor guest bedroom with an ensuite bathroom. Careful planning was required to make sure this project was not just possible but complimentary to the rest of the home. A new stair case and landing was added matching the existing oak stairway and railings. A solid oak entry door with matching finish helped make the new stairwell look original to the home. The bedroom has a custom built queen sized bed with integrated end tables that house the HVAC ductwork. Bedside switch controls for the sconce lights, recessed lights and fan made for convenient lighting control. 2 Alcove beds with reading lights and charging stations to accommodate the kids. For the bath we installed a vanity, toilet, tiled floor and stall shower making a full bathroom ensuite. Efficiency is always a factor but for an attic where guests are meant to feel comfortable we focused on careful insulating. A large window brings in the natural light and the casement style captures the wind, cooling and venting the new room.

Request Free Quote If you live in the Chicagoland area and want to swim year-round, you require an indoor swimming pool. This indoor paradise has all of the amenities that an outdoor swimming pool would have and more. Automatic swimming pool covers on both the pool and hot tub keep moisture down in the room, and laminar flow fountain jets around the perimeter give a measure of visual excitement and elegance. The slide gives kids a fun activity in the winter that they otherwise wouldn't have, along with a diving board to faciliate winter dive practice. Photos by Linda Oyama Bryan

Jeff Dodge
Mid-sized trendy side yard deck photo in Seattle with no cover

Nautical-themed hybrid swimming pool with raised spa, sunshelf, slide, grotto, and pizza oven (September 2013) – Ask the Pool Guy and his team at Legendary Escapes recently unveiled the newest Legendary Escape, a stunning nautical-themed hybrid swimming pool. The hand-carved concrete waterfall, rock slide, and grotto are the focal point of this incredible project, and designer and builder Al Curtis has truly outdone himself this time. Behind the waterfall sits a grotto that seats 8-10 people comfortably. The waterfall, slide, and grotto area come complete with intricate details and additions that perfectly play into the project’s theme. An immense amount of creativity, talent, and skill is required to take ordinary materials like vinyl and concrete and turn them into the outstanding backyards that Curtis creates, but these details allow his creativity to shine in a different light. Curtis immerses himself completely in just one or two projects at a time, which allows him the opportunity to add those intricate details that take his extraordinary projects to the next level. Some of the details in the grotto area of this hybrid project include real ship portholes that open and close, as well as carvings and lanterns to add visual interest inside of the grotto. The project also includes a raised spillover spa and a sunshelf with a bubbling water feature. The sunshelf has steps leading into the main body of the pool, giving swimmers an easy entry point if they don’t feel the urge to jump off the top of the waterfall or take a ride down the hand-carved, hand-tiled slide. The shelf has just enough water to allow shallow wading or lounging, and the pebbled finish provides a perfect place to set a lounge chair without worrying about damaging the vinyl liner. With the spa nearby, this whole end of the pool is perfect for relaxing, talking, or watching the kids while they swim. This incredible hybrid swimming pool also includes a poolside pizza oven, so fresh, stone-fired pizza is never far away. The brick oven can cook a pizza in about 90 seconds, and produces authentic, outstanding pizzas. The homeowners have spent years perfecting their pizza crust and sauce recipes, as well as growing their own tomatoes and basil. The pizza oven adds another element of their own personality, and makes this project even more perfect for them. With a built-in countertop, it’s easy to get a couple of pies going at one time, or to prep ingredients for personal pizzas. The homeowners are very family-oriented and love to have friends and family over to their home. During the construction process, the Legendary Escapes crew met several friends and family members who stopped in for some quality time and to check out the progress of the pool. The finished product is a perfect place for entertaining, and it feels very comfortable and welcoming. With the sunshelf, spa, grotto, poolside seating, and the pool itself, there are plenty of different places to sit or soak and have conversations or splash around. Curtis is incredibly proud of this project, and he has high hopes for it. He was recently named a Master of Design by Pool & Spa News for a hybrid swimming pool he built in Brighton, MI. This new, nautical hybrid pool fits in beautifully with his portfolio, but also stands out as extraordinary. The team at Legendary Escapes anticipates positive feedback and recognition for this project, and looks forward to building more swimming pools that push the envelope and wow clients and fans.

Nautical-themed hybrid swimming pool with raised spa, sunshelf, slide, grotto, and pizza oven (September 2013) – Ask the Pool Guy and his team at Legendary Escapes recently unveiled the newest Legendary Escape, a stunning nautical-themed hybrid swimming pool. The hand-carved concrete waterfall, rock slide, and grotto are the focal point of this incredible project, and designer and builder Al Curtis has truly outdone himself this time. Behind the waterfall sits a grotto that seats 8-10 people comfortably. The waterfall, slide, and grotto area come complete with intricate details and additions that perfectly play into the project’s theme. An immense amount of creativity, talent, and skill is required to take ordinary materials like vinyl and concrete and turn them into the outstanding backyards that Curtis creates, but these details allow his creativity to shine in a different light. Curtis immerses himself completely in just one or two projects at a time, which allows him the opportunity to add those intricate details that take his extraordinary projects to the next level. Some of the details in the grotto area of this hybrid project include real ship portholes that open and close, as well as carvings and lanterns to add visual interest inside of the grotto. The project also includes a raised spillover spa and a sunshelf with a bubbling water feature. The sunshelf has steps leading into the main body of the pool, giving swimmers an easy entry point if they don’t feel the urge to jump off the top of the waterfall or take a ride down the hand-carved, hand-tiled slide. The shelf has just enough water to allow shallow wading or lounging, and the pebbled finish provides a perfect place to set a lounge chair without worrying about damaging the vinyl liner. With the spa nearby, this whole end of the pool is perfect for relaxing, talking, or watching the kids while they swim. This incredible hybrid swimming pool also includes a poolside pizza oven, so fresh, stone-fired pizza is never far away. The brick oven can cook a pizza in about 90 seconds, and produces authentic, outstanding pizzas. The homeowners have spent years perfecting their pizza crust and sauce recipes, as well as growing their own tomatoes and basil. The pizza oven adds another element of their own personality, and makes this project even more perfect for them. With a built-in countertop, it’s easy to get a couple of pies going at one time, or to prep ingredients for personal pizzas. The homeowners are very family-oriented and love to have friends and family over to their home. During the construction process, the Legendary Escapes crew met several friends and family members who stopped in for some quality time and to check out the progress of the pool. The finished product is a perfect place for entertaining, and it feels very comfortable and welcoming. With the sunshelf, spa, grotto, poolside seating, and the pool itself, there are plenty of different places to sit or soak and have conversations or splash around. Curtis is incredibly proud of this project, and he has high hopes for it. He was recently named a Master of Design by Pool & Spa News for a hybrid swimming pool he built in Brighton, MI. This new, nautical hybrid pool fits in beautifully with his portfolio, but also stands out as extraordinary. The team at Legendary Escapes anticipates positive feedback and recognition for this project, and looks forward to building more swimming pools that push the envelope and wow clients and fans.

This pondless water-feature has a natural stone bowl spillway that was hand picked and ground down to give this water feature the most character. Pond-less Water features offer a safe environment for kids by not having a large body of standing water this also reduces the attraction of moquettes, In addition pond-less water features require the least amount of maintenance because they are constantly recycling water which naturally filters the system.

The design task was to create a 160 m2 family house, an elegant, light, cheerful home for a young couple. We could already start work from the architectural plans, so they could even initiate some minor modifications to those. Cooking plays an important role in the lives of the customers, so the detailed kitchen utensil requirements were part of the brief. They would also like to have kids in the future, so the goal was to make the kitchen, dining room and living room function as one space, and the dining room extendable. However, a relatively small space was available for this, so the kitchen was given an unusual formal design. With every detail in mind, the most current mechanical and intelligent systems have been integrated into the house: from the unique drying system in the laundry room to the chamber. An interesting solution is the placement of the sinks in one of the bathrooms, their back wall functions as a screen for the shower. In addition, one half of the building is underground, so those solutions have been preferred, which allow more natural light into the interiors (e.g., acid-coated glass and glass bathroom doors have been used in the common wall of the illuminated staircase and bathroom). We were free to walk between styles. So geometric, playful shapes, customer-preferred blue and oak veneered wood surfaces create harmony in the spaces. The walls feature contemporary posters, custom prints and contemporary artwork.

This visually simple, modern solution is unique within its suburban context, and gives this family the custom landscape of their dreams. The homeowners’ wish list included a modern design and clearly defined spaces: a larger dining patio, firepit patio, hot tub, and a 4-season sport court (which gets flooded for ice hockey in the winter). Circulation and screening were key in Ground One’s landscape design. A sport court could overwhelm the entire backyard, so it was raised three feet above the primary backyard to physically separate different spaces, and minimize its visual impact. Rectangular bluestone in a running bond pattern was used in all the gathering spaces (dining, firepit, hot tub). Bluestone walls reinforce a simple material palette. A larger dining patio was installed near the house for greater entertaining flexibility. Plank paver paths connect to a private hot tub area and allow kids to don hockey gear and enter the sport court without messing up the house. The firepit patio is at the back of the property, nestled into the existing hillside under a large oak and below the sport court terrace. Plantings reinforce the geometry of each gathering space, provide focal points, and create layers of screening and separation from any given vantage point. Hardy species were selected for their low-maintenance requirements and various seasons of interest. Landscape lighting was incorporated to provide way finding between the patios, accent various hardscape elements, and highlight the trees.

Designing a completely round home is challenging! Add to that, the two tubes are merely 8' wide. This requires EVERY piece of furniture to be custom built to fit the continuous rounding walls, floors and ceiling. We used every possible inch to provide storage for our clients personal belongings and household needs... sustainable for 3 years! Solid walnut wood paneling and custom built shelving was used throughout as well as tons of hidden storage... in, under and atop every possible inch of this project was locate and utilized! Backsplash above the Kitchen sink is super thinly cut mosaic tile made out of MIRROR! It's reflective, creates an illusion of space and light, It sparkles and looks AMAZING!