I am glad to present a new project, Powder room design in a modern style. This project is as simple as it is not ordinary with its solution. The powder room is the most typical, small. I used wallpaper for this project, changing the visual space - increasing it. The idea was to extend the semicircular corridor by creating additional vertical backlit niches. I also used everyone's long-loved living moss to decorate the wall so that the powder room did not look like a lifeless and dull corridor. The interior lines are clean. The interior is not overflowing with accents and flowers. Everything is concise and restrained: concrete and flowers, the latest technology and wildlife, wood and metal, yin-yang.

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.

Example of a large classic wooden l-shaped wood railing staircase design in Chicago with wooden risers

I am glad to present a new project, Powder room design in a modern style. This project is as simple as it is not ordinary with its solution. The powder room is the most typical, small. I used wallpaper for this project, changing the visual space - increasing it. The idea was to extend the semicircular corridor by creating additional vertical backlit niches. I also used everyone's long-loved living moss to decorate the wall so that the powder room did not look like a lifeless and dull corridor. The interior lines are clean. The interior is not overflowing with accents and flowers. Everything is concise and restrained: concrete and flowers, the latest technology and wildlife, wood and metal, yin-yang.

I am glad to present a new project, Powder room design in a modern style. This project is as simple as it is not ordinary with its solution. The powder room is the most typical, small. I used wallpaper for this project, changing the visual space - increasing it. The idea was to extend the semicircular corridor by creating additional vertical backlit niches. I also used everyone's long-loved living moss to decorate the wall so that the powder room did not look like a lifeless and dull corridor. The interior lines are clean. The interior is not overflowing with accents and flowers. Everything is concise and restrained: concrete and flowers, the latest technology and wildlife, wood and metal, yin-yang.

Photos by Erika Bierman www.erikabiermanphotography.com
Eclectic dining room photo in Los Angeles

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.

I am glad to present a new project, Powder room design in a modern style. This project is as simple as it is not ordinary with its solution. The powder room is the most typical, small. I used wallpaper for this project, changing the visual space - increasing it. The idea was to extend the semicircular corridor by creating additional vertical backlit niches. I also used everyone's long-loved living moss to decorate the wall so that the powder room did not look like a lifeless and dull corridor. The interior lines are clean. The interior is not overflowing with accents and flowers. Everything is concise and restrained: concrete and flowers, the latest technology and wildlife, wood and metal, yin-yang.

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.

BEFORE: a lifeless concrete pond covered with liner and rock. Not doing well.
Design ideas for a mid-sized eclectic partial sun backyard pond in Phoenix.

White plaster creates spaces that are clean and minimalist while maintaining a subtle patina that keeps modern design from feeling cold and flat. Scott Nelson

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.

Example of a transitional bathroom design in Kansas City with a hinged shower door

The Setup For this primary bathroom project, the homeowners sought to transform their outdated, beige-toned space into a bright, functional sanctuary. The existing bathroom felt cramped and lifeless, with a small shower and limited storage options. The goal was to create a fresh, updated bathroom that maximizes the existing footprint while addressing specific desires for a more open, organized space with timeless materials. Design objectives: Brighten the bathroom and eliminate the dated beige color scheme Install a freestanding tub in a compact space Create a larger, more open shower without encroaching on the existing foot print too much Incorporate hidden storage solutions Maintain the existing bathroom layout while improving functionality Update lighting and fixtures to create a contemporary feel The Remodel Design challenges to be solved: - Compact Space Utilization – The small bathroom required careful planning to accommodate a freestanding tub while maintaining functionality and avoiding overcrowding. - Hidden Storage Integration – The clients wanted a discreet hamper solution that wouldn’t clutter the limited floor space. - Shower Niche Placement – With plumbing limitations and the clients’ desire to preserve their wavy accent tile wall, finding the perfect niche spot became a creative puzzle. - Tile and Finish Coordination – Selecting complementary white tile and floor materials that worked harmoniously together. - Larger Shower Space – Make the shower feel more open and brighter The Renewed Space Design solutions: - Strategic Tub Placement – The freestanding tub was carefully positioned to maximize space, with its faucet strategically placed to allow easy access while preserving walking room. We reduced the counter depth just a bit by the tub, allowing more room for hamper cabinet and window access. - Concealed Hamper Storage – A custom pull-out hamper was integrated into the vanity (right side, by tub), providing discreet storage within an 18-inch depth constraint. - Shower Plumbing Wall Niche – We shifted the niche left, just enough to work around the plumbing infrastructure and still score a roomy storage spot that looks intentional. - Sophisticated Selections – Porcelanosa curvy white tile, Kohler brushed gold fixtures, and a neutral grey tile floor created a simple, timeless aesthetic that will be loved years to come. - Open Shower – Replacing the side wall with a clear glass surround, continuing the tile on the ceiling and extending the footprint opened up this area to the room while allowing more natural lighting into the shower space. This bathroom transformation shows how thoughtful design turns challenges into opportunities. Brushed gold fixtures add warmth to the fresh white palette, while the perfectly balanced floor tile brings just the right depth. A partially glass-fronted vanity introduces subtle charm, giving the space a unique edge. Once cramped and outdated, this bathroom now feels bright, spacious, and serene—a testament to how every design detail makes a difference.

We added to wood on the ceiling to warm up what was an otherwise large lifeless room. The fan we chose allows us to carry the industrial vibe into this adjacent room and provides a great contrast to the warm wood on the ceiling. Can lights were added to spotlight the seating area in this large open room

The Setup For this primary bathroom project, the homeowners sought to transform their outdated, beige-toned space into a bright, functional sanctuary. The existing bathroom felt cramped and lifeless, with a small shower and limited storage options. The goal was to create a fresh, updated bathroom that maximizes the existing footprint while addressing specific desires for a more open, organized space with timeless materials. Design objectives: Brighten the bathroom and eliminate the dated beige color scheme Install a freestanding tub in a compact space Create a larger, more open shower without encroaching on the existing foot print too much Incorporate hidden storage solutions Maintain the existing bathroom layout while improving functionality Update lighting and fixtures to create a contemporary feel The Remodel Design challenges to be solved: - Compact Space Utilization – The small bathroom required careful planning to accommodate a freestanding tub while maintaining functionality and avoiding overcrowding. - Hidden Storage Integration – The clients wanted a discreet hamper solution that wouldn’t clutter the limited floor space. - Shower Niche Placement – With plumbing limitations and the clients’ desire to preserve their wavy accent tile wall, finding the perfect niche spot became a creative puzzle. - Tile and Finish Coordination – Selecting complementary white tile and floor materials that worked harmoniously together. - Larger Shower Space – Make the shower feel more open and brighter The Renewed Space Design solutions: - Strategic Tub Placement – The freestanding tub was carefully positioned to maximize space, with its faucet strategically placed to allow easy access while preserving walking room. We reduced the counter depth just a bit by the tub, allowing more room for hamper cabinet and window access. - Concealed Hamper Storage – A custom pull-out hamper was integrated into the vanity (right side, by tub), providing discreet storage within an 18-inch depth constraint. - Shower Plumbing Wall Niche – We shifted the niche left, just enough to work around the plumbing infrastructure and still score a roomy storage spot that looks intentional. - Sophisticated Selections – Porcelanosa curvy white tile, Kohler brushed gold fixtures, and a neutral grey tile floor created a simple, timeless aesthetic that will be loved years to come. - Open Shower – Replacing the side wall with a clear glass surround, continuing the tile on the ceiling and extending the footprint opened up this area to the room while allowing more natural lighting into the shower space. This bathroom transformation shows how thoughtful design turns challenges into opportunities. Brushed gold fixtures add warmth to the fresh white palette, while the perfectly balanced floor tile brings just the right depth. A partially glass-fronted vanity introduces subtle charm, giving the space a unique edge. Once cramped and outdated, this bathroom now feels bright, spacious, and serene—a testament to how every design detail makes a difference.

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.

I am glad to present a new project, Powder room design in a modern style. This project is as simple as it is not ordinary with its solution. The powder room is the most typical, small. I used wallpaper for this project, changing the visual space - increasing it. The idea was to extend the semicircular corridor by creating additional vertical backlit niches. I also used everyone's long-loved living moss to decorate the wall so that the powder room did not look like a lifeless and dull corridor. The interior lines are clean. The interior is not overflowing with accents and flowers. Everything is concise and restrained: concrete and flowers, the latest technology and wildlife, wood and metal, yin-yang.

I am glad to present a new project, Powder room design in a modern style. This project is as simple as it is not ordinary with its solution. The powder room is the most typical, small. I used wallpaper for this project, changing the visual space - increasing it. The idea was to extend the semicircular corridor by creating additional vertical backlit niches. I also used everyone's long-loved living moss to decorate the wall so that the powder room did not look like a lifeless and dull corridor. The interior lines are clean. The interior is not overflowing with accents and flowers. Everything is concise and restrained: concrete and flowers, the latest technology and wildlife, wood and metal, yin-yang.