Here in this basement courtyard, a great example of green walls in the context of a complete garden revamp. The client had a rather dull, lifeless, and dark space and wanted to inject some color into the courtyard. The client wanted grey tones to be the overall theme of the garden, but also realised the need to counterbalance this with bursts of color, and what better way than to incorporate some stunning greenery. However, the limited space in the courtyard minimized the available space for planting and thus, a vertical option was sought. This would have the added benefit of breaking up the timber screening which could have made the garden look rather enclosed on its own. But a vertical green wall also presented its own issues. Real plants would require a costly irrigation system and would add a significant amount of weight to the wall. Plus, the height of the walls meant that a living wall may have struggled through a lack of sunlight being allowed in.

Open kitchen! Every cooks dream. Beautifully remodeled by Ashwood Designs and Custom Homes. Award-Winning Custom Home Builder in Central Houston. We are a design/build company offering clients 3D renderings to see their design before work begins. www.ashwooddesigns.com

Photographer: Agnes Jawoszek Walking the line between transitional and traditional design, this interior mixes the freshness of modern lines and elements with the classic beauty of traditional furnishings and textures. Emphasizing the height of the room is a travertine fireplace interspersed with textured limestone ledges. Adding glamor and sparkle on the opposite wall is mica wallpaper inset in panels proportioned to play off the sofa perfectly. The juxtaposition of the wallpaper to a similar paint color provides an interesting play on textures that is understated yet glamorous. Formerly a lifeless space, the use of various materials and elements mixed with a pop of color, enrich the space resulting in a stunning and elegant interior.

Fu-Tung Cheng, CHENG Design • Entry / Foyer View into Kitchen and Living Room, San Francisco High-Rise Home Dynamic, updated materials and a new plan transformed a lifeless San Francisco condo into an urban treasure, reminiscent of the client’s beloved weekend retreat also designed by Cheng Design. The simplified layout provides a showcase for the client’s art collection while tiled walls, concrete surfaces, and bamboo cabinets and paneling create personality and warmth. The kitchen features a rouge concrete countertop, a concrete and bamboo elliptical prep island, and a built-in eating area that showcases the gorgeous downtown view. Photography: Matthew Millman

A dated and lifeless home turned into a charming retreat for a lovely couple that wanted a bright and airy space to welcome their children and grandchildren.

This beautiful property is located in the hills above of Montecito with 360 degree of views onto the Channel Islands and the surrounding mountains. Inspired by the Japanese landscape design principal of the borrowed landscape the gardens on this property serves as a kind of picture frame from which to view the natural beauty of its surroundings. This 15-year-old costume-built home was crafted with all the style and workmanship ship found in Villa or Château in the Mediterranean. Unfortunately, the garden design was not as well thought out as the house was. Most of this property receives baking sun, drying winds and is in an extremely high fire danger area. Do to these factors many of the plants on the property were unsuitable for their location. The original planting scheme was also lifeless and colorless. Poor landscape maintenance had left many of the plants on the property sick and dying. We came in to revive this landscape, breathing new life into it. Creating a drought tolerant and fire wise landscape was of utmost importance to these clients. Staying true to the more formal landscape styles found in Southern Europe we also want to create an opportunity to design seamlessly blend with its natural surroundings. We did that by incorporating a lot of California native plants. This vast property also contains an avocado orchard and a vineyard. By adding California native plants the property is inviting in native birds and insects that help keep pollinate the orchard and vineyard and keep pest problems at bay. Because these clients enjoy harvesting from their land we added elements of edible landscaping to this project. We filled pottery and planter beds with fruit trees, culinary and medicinal herbs as well as flowers that can be used in cut flower arrangements. Lastly, we went through carefully pruning diseased plants, treating pest problems an improving the soil. Now the landscape is not only more beautiful it is more protected against fire, is more water wise and integrate into its surrounds with a wholistic approach.

This beautiful property is located in the hills above of Montecito with 360 degree of views onto the Channel Islands and the surrounding mountains. Inspired by the Japanese landscape design principal of the borrowed landscape the gardens on this property serves as a kind of picture frame from which to view the natural beauty of its surroundings. This 15-year-old costume-built home was crafted with all the style and workmanship ship found in Villa or Château in the Mediterranean. Unfortunately, the garden design was not as well thought out as the house was. Most of this property receives baking sun, drying winds and is in an extremely high fire danger area. Do to these factors many of the plants on the property were unsuitable for their location. The original planting scheme was also lifeless and colorless. Poor landscape maintenance had left many of the plants on the property sick and dying. We came in to revive this landscape, breathing new life into it. Creating a drought tolerant and fire wise landscape was of utmost importance to these clients. Staying true to the more formal landscape styles found in Southern Europe we also want to create an opportunity to design seamlessly blend with its natural surroundings. We did that by incorporating a lot of California native plants. This vast property also contains an avocado orchard and a vineyard. By adding California native plants the property is inviting in native birds and insects that help keep pollinate the orchard and vineyard and keep pest problems at bay. Because these clients enjoy harvesting from their land we added elements of edible landscaping to this project. We filled pottery and planter beds with fruit trees, culinary and medicinal herbs as well as flowers that can be used in cut flower arrangements. Lastly, we went through carefully pruning diseased plants, treating pest problems an improving the soil. Now the landscape is not only more beautiful it is more protected against fire, is more water wise and integrate into its surrounds with a wholistic approach.

Fu-Tung Cheng, CHENG Design • Eat-in Kitchen featuring Concrete Countertops and Okeanito Hood, San Francisco High-Rise Home Dynamic, updated materials and a new plan transformed a lifeless San Francisco condo into an urban treasure, reminiscent of the client’s beloved weekend retreat also designed by Cheng Design. The simplified layout provides a showcase for the client’s art collection while tiled walls, concrete surfaces, and bamboo cabinets and paneling create personality and warmth. The kitchen features a rouge concrete countertop, a concrete and bamboo elliptical prep island, and a built-in eating area that showcases the gorgeous downtown view. Photography: Matthew Millman

Fu-Tung Cheng, CHENG Design • Cooktop and Okeanito Hood by Cheng, San Francisco High-Rise Home Dynamic, updated materials and a new plan transformed a lifeless San Francisco condo into an urban treasure, reminiscent of the client’s beloved weekend retreat also designed by Cheng Design. The simplified layout provides a showcase for the client’s art collection while tiled walls, concrete surfaces, and bamboo cabinets and paneling create personality and warmth. The kitchen features a rouge concrete countertop, a concrete and bamboo elliptical prep island, and a built-in eating area that showcases the gorgeous downtown view. Photography: Matthew Millman

Example of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped ceramic tile and beige floor eat-in kitchen design in San Diego with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, multicolored backsplash, marble backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Recently retired, this couple wanted and needed to update their kitchen. It was dark, lifeless and cramped. We had two constraints: a tight budget and not being able to expand the footprint. The client wanted a bright, happy kitchen, and loves corals and sea foam greens. They wanted it to be fun. Knowing that they had some pieces from the orient we allowed that influence to flow into this room as well. We removed the drop ceiling, added crown molding, light rail, two new cabinets, a new range, and an eating area. Sea foam green Corian countertop is integrated with a white corian sink. Glazzio arabesque tiles add a beautiful texture to the backsplash. The finished galley kitchen was functional, fun and they now use it more than ever.

Recently retired, this couple wanted and needed to update their kitchen. It was dark, lifeless and cramped. We had two constraints: a tight budget and not being able to expand the footprint. The client wanted a bright, happy kitchen, and loves corals and sea foam greens. They wanted it to be fun. Knowing that they had some pieces from the orient we allowed that influence to flow into this room as well. We removed the drop ceiling, added crown molding, light rail, two new cabinets, a new range, and an eating area. Sea foam green Corian countertop is integrated with a white corian sink. Glazzio arabesque tiles add a beautiful texture to the backsplash. The finished galley kitchen was functional, fun and they now use it more than ever.

Photographer: Agnes Jawoszek Walking the line between transitional and traditional design, this interior mixes the freshness of modern lines and elements with the classic beauty of traditional furnishings and textures. Emphasizing the height of the room is a travertine fireplace interspersed with textured limestone ledges. Adding glamor and sparkle on the opposite wall is mica wallpaper inset in panels proportioned to play off the sofa perfectly. The juxtaposition of the wallpaper to a similar paint color provides an interesting play on textures that is understated yet glamorous. Formerly a lifeless space, the use of various materials and elements mixed with a pop of color, enrich the space resulting in a stunning and elegant interior.

Recently retired, this couple wanted and needed to update their kitchen. It was dark, lifeless and cramped. We had two constraints: a tight budget and not being able to expand the footprint. The client wanted a bright, happy kitchen, and loves corals and sea foam greens. They wanted it to be fun. Knowing that they had some pieces from the orient we allowed that influence to flow into this room as well. We removed the drop ceiling, added crown molding, light rail, two new cabinets, a new range, and an eating area. Sea foam green Corian countertop is integrated with a white corian sink. Glazzio arabesque tiles add a beautiful texture to the backsplash. The finished galley kitchen was functional, fun and they now use it more than ever.

The Basic Cabinet Renewal proces leaves no dust, mess or odor and in many cases the job is completed in just one day. We remove the grease and dirt build up that can make wood look flat and lifeless over time. The renewal process thoroughly cleans the surface, removes old coatings, repairs damaged areas with less mess and applies an elegant finish. At 1/3rd the cost of refacing and 1/5th the cost of replacement, you'll love the brilliant results and the cost savings. All of our processes use our Lightspeed Plus® refinishing process which cures instantly with a powerful U.V. light. Our process requires no sanding and all our solutions are virtually odorless – so there’s No Dust. No Mess. No Odor®. With Lightspeed, expect a beautifully refinished kitchen with little to no down time.

Tiered of the looking out at a shabby brown lawn in their front yard and unwilling to use the water to keep it green these homeowners decided to go for something different. The wife in this household worked from home and was motivated to have a better view from her home office. As an enthusiastic bird watcher, I wanted to give her a view that included happy birds fluttering about. The husband was annoyed by the fact that some of the neighbors allowed their dogs to use this corner lot a toilet without having the curtesy of cleaning up after them. My job was to create a low water landscape (also known as xeriscape) that attracted birds, bees and butterflies but kept the dogs off. We started with directing down spouts in to catch basins called infiltration swales. These swales capture water storing it in the soil where it can be accessed by plants months after the rains have stopped. Then we integrated primarily California native plants and succulents into the design. Special attention was payed to the water needs of the plants and the ideal growing conditions for each species so that the combination of earthworks and plant choice and placement this landscape can get by with zero supplemental irrigation after the period of establishment this landscape. By incorporating flowering California native plants, native birds and insects flocked to the site in a neighborhood otherwise dominated by lifeless landscapes. By surrounding the garden with decomposed granite and succulents we created a space that was unpleasant and unappealing for dogs to relive themselves while remaining appealing to more human sensibilities. Today this property sits on the corner in a suburban neighborhood of Goleta, California. Hopefully serving as inspiration to take out lawns and build beautiful gardens that work to integrate the man made landscape with the natural ecosystem in which it is built.

We took this front yard landscaping space from bland and lifeless to bold, thriving and absolutely popping with color. Hardy, low maintenance plant choices that fair well in SW Florida ensure year round curb appeal. The lighting package provides dramatic highlights for a stunning transition from day to night.

Fu-Tung Cheng, CHENG Design • Living Room with City View, San Francisco High-Rise Home Dynamic, updated materials and a new plan transformed a lifeless San Francisco condo into an urban treasure, reminiscent of the client’s beloved weekend retreat also designed by Cheng Design. The simplified layout provides a showcase for the client’s art collection while tiled walls, concrete surfaces, and bamboo cabinets and paneling create personality and warmth. The kitchen features a rouge concrete countertop, a concrete and bamboo elliptical prep island, and a built-in eating area that showcases the gorgeous downtown view. Photography: Matthew Millman

Whit Preston, Photographer
Inspiration for a contemporary kids' white tile and subway tile walk-in shower remodel in Austin with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white walls and gray countertops