Architecture by Liebes Architects, Photo by Joseph Schell Photography
Patio - eclectic backyard brick patio idea in San Francisco with no cover

It's the most wonderful time of the year! We love designing warm and cozy spaces that are perfect for hosting friends and family! How do you keep your home feeling merry and bright during the busy Christmas season?

Cosmic Black granite is shown in this project! Search the specific granite name, see more granite or other stone options: http://www.stoneaction.com Learn more about granite to see if it’s right for you: Granite countertops can last a lifetime. It contains no harmful chemicals and do not emit harmful radiation or gasses. Granite is heat resistant and is one of the most heat-resistant countertops on the market. You can place a hot pan out of the oven directly onto the countertop surface. Experts do recommend the use of a trivet when using appliances that emit heat for long periods of time, such as crockpots. Since the material is so dense, there is a small possibility heating one area of the top and not the entire thing, could cause the countertop to crack. Granite is scratch resistant. You can cut on it, but it will dull your knives! Granite scores a seven on Moh’s hardness scale. Granite countertops are considered to be a low maintenance countertop surface. The likelihood of needing to be repaired or resurfaced is low. Granite is a porous material. Most fabricators will apply a sealer to granite countertops before they are installed which will protect them from absorbing liquids too quickly. Many sealers last more than 10 years before needing to be reapplied. When they do need to be reapplied, it is something that most homeowners can do on their own as the process is similar to cleaning. Darker granites are very dense and sometimes don’t even require a sealer. When it comes to pricing, there are a lot of variables such as edge profile, total square footage, backsplash, etc. Don’t be fooled by the stereotype that all granite is expensive. Lower-range granites will cost less than high-range laminate. Though granite countertops are not considered “low range” in pricing, there are a lot of affordable options. If you are looking for something truly unique, consider an exotic granite. Some quarries are not easily accessible and/or only able to be quarried for short periods of time throughout the year. If these circumstances exist in a quarry with gorgeous stone, the price will be driven upward You won’t find a lot of solid patterns or bright colors, but both do exist. Also, watch for a large range of color and pattern within the same color of stone. It’s always a good idea to view the exact slab(s) that will be fabricated for your kitchen to make sure they are what you expected to see from the sample. Another factor is that many exotic types of granite have huge flowing waves, and a small sample will not be an accurate representation of the whole slab. Granite countertops are very resistant to chemicals. Acids and bases will not harm the material.

Tiffany Ringwald Photography tiffanyringwald.com @tiffanyringwald
Elegant kitchen photo in Charlotte

Center Cut White Oak Flooring
Kitchen - cottage medium tone wood floor kitchen idea in New York with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, stainless steel appliances and an island

Kitchen Layout, Concepts, and Materials by Josh Hayes. Featured: Chi Counter Stool, Daphne Pendant Aged Brass, Ceragres Memory Cement Tile Deco Soft 8″x8″, Ceragres Elapse Tile Mist 30″x30″ (Tuck). Photo by Kelly Lawson,

Brandon Barre & Gillian Jackson
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional formal and enclosed light wood floor living room remodel in Toronto with a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace and no tv

lisa pétrole
Example of an eclectic open concept white floor living room design in Toronto with white walls and no tv

Small trendy single-wall light wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Other with glass-front cabinets, white cabinets, laminate countertops, white backsplash, glass sheet backsplash, stainless steel appliances, no island and a drop-in sink

Transitional home office photo in Boston

Jacob Hand Photography + Motion- Photographer
Inspiration for a mid-sized eclectic open concept living room remodel in Chicago with green walls

This lovely little modern farmhouse is located at the base of the foothills in one of Boulder’s most prized neighborhoods. Tucked onto a challenging narrow lot, this inviting and sustainably designed 2400 sf., 4 bedroom home lives much larger than its compact form. The open floor plan and vaulted ceilings of the Great room, kitchen and dining room lead to a beautiful covered back patio and lush, private back yard. These rooms are flooded with natural light and blend a warm Colorado material palette and heavy timber accents with a modern sensibility. A lyrical open-riser steel and wood stair floats above the baby grand in the center of the home and takes you to three bedrooms on the second floor. The Master has a covered balcony with exposed beamwork & warm Beetle-kill pine soffits, framing their million-dollar view of the Flatirons. Its simple and familiar style is a modern twist on a classic farmhouse vernacular. The stone, Hardie board siding and standing seam metal roofing create a resilient and low-maintenance shell. The alley-loaded home has a solar-panel covered garage that was custom designed for the family’s active & athletic lifestyle (aka “lots of toys”). The front yard is a local food & water-wise Master-class, with beautiful rain-chains delivering roof run-off straight to the family garden.

Gilbertson Photography
Example of a minimalist three-story mixed siding flat roof design in Seattle

Mountain style bathroom photo in Denver

Contractor: Reuter Walton Interior Design: Talla Skogmo Photography: Alyssa Lee
Example of a mid-sized 1950s blue floor single front door design in Minneapolis with white walls and a blue front door

Transitional gray floor entryway photo in Los Angeles with white walls and a glass front door

Transitional u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen photo in Dallas with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and black countertops

Country Farmhouse featuring Quick Step Reclaime Malted Tawny Oak 12mm Laminate Flooring All About Home Designs, Pics by Amy B.
Large farmhouse white two-story gable roof idea in Cleveland

Nursery - transitional girl light wood floor and white floor nursery idea in New York with beige walls