Photo Credit: Mark Ehlen
Example of a classic gender-neutral carpeted nursery design in Minneapolis with blue walls

Glencoe Residence Landscape. Brick Paver Driveway with Bluestone Motorcourt Border, Radiant Snow Melt Heat System, French Inspired Formal Entrance Landscape, Low Voltage Lighting, and Irrigation. Entire property Constructed by: Arrow. Designed by: Marco Romani, RLA - Landscape Architect.

Eichanlaub, Inc. Project Entry: Warm Invitation 2013 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner Category: Residential Hardscaping $60,000 & Over Award Level: Silver Project Description: Remarkable...In a high-end neighborhood defmed by the everyday, typical landscapes this discerning client really wanted the new landscape to not only be functional but also stand out as something very special and personal. With a large family and a very busy lifestyle the clients dreamed of having a wonderful spill-over space to accommodate the everyday needs of the family as well as provide a comfortable living space to entertain office associates on occasion. Before the transformation began the clients entertained outdoors primarily under cover of the existing porch adjacent to the family room. The desire was to expand the living space and add an outdoor fireplace. Initially the clients were thinking of attaching the frreplace to the perimeter of the existing porch; upon further discussion it was proposed to be moved further out into the yard. The first challenge was to establish a new grade for the patio on an existing slope which was sloping away from the patio in two different directions. To achieve this grade change a retaining wall was needed. The use of natural stone was paramount in the design as the clients felt it lends a timeless quality to the overall look. With this in mind it was important to keep the wall and other features made of a natural material. The main structural wall to manage the grade was made of dry stacked 3-6-9 cut Limestone and capped with Limestone. The expanded patio space was made of dimensional cut Bluestone set on a concrete base. The clients wanted a more fluid design to the patio but yet did like the clean lines normally scene in a more formal layout. The arc-tangent design marries those two styles beautifully. The seat wall and the frreplace are made of concrete block construction and veneered Pennsylvania Fieldstone. The seat wall bookends both sides of the frreplace and follows the same arc-tangent design of the patio. The frreplace is also equipped with a natural gas starter for burning frrewood. The second challenge was the desire to design and build an intimate outdoor space in a backyard with many of the native trees removed and no privacy fencing in place. The placement of the fireplace as well as a strategic location of an Arborvitae gives the overall sense of cozy enclosure. The Boxwood hedge located in the planting bed on top of the 3-6-9 Limestone wall defmes a sense of security and safety by defming a natural railing to the elevated Bluestone patio. The added, painted, cedar arbor also lends itself well to defining the space and giving a greater feeling of the cozy intimate feel the clients were seeking. We added a niche light in the arch which lights the two limestone steps that brings the clients off the patio and down to lawn grade. The paint of the arbor matches the trim of the house perfectly. There are also a few copper path lights and well as a brass well light illuminating the Redbud tree. Bluestone stepping stones on the opposite end of the patio from the arbor allows access to the backyard lawn areas as well complete the design. All of the plantings had to be deer resistant, require low maintenance and provide seasonal interest throughout the entire year. Another requirement was the size of the patio to allow for the client to have plenty of spaces to accommodate annual container plantings to bring in the seasonal interest they desired. Client expectations were exceeded and they have noted on more how much more time they spend outside. They truly think of their new outdoor living space as remarkable! PLANT LIST Genus/Species (Common Name) 1 - Cercis canadensis (Redbud) 7 - Thuja occidentalis 'Degroot's Spire' (Degroot's Spire Arborvitae) 1 - Thuja occidentalis 'Wintergreen' (Wintergreen Arborvitae) 6 - Buxus 'Dee Runk' (Dee Runk Boxwood) 13 - Rosa 'Knock Out' (Knock Out Rose) 5 - Itea virginiana 'Little Henry' (Little Henry Dwf. Sweetspire) 1 - Fothergilla x gardenii 'Mt. Airy' (Mt. Airy Fothergilla) 11 - Buxus x 'Green Gem' (Green Gem Boxwood) 2 - Clematis jackmanii Superba (Jackman Superba Clematis) 2 - Pachysandra terminalis (Japanese Spurge) 56 - Hemerocallis 'Hyperion' (Hyperion daylillies) 40 - Geranium sanguineum 'Max Frei' (Max Frei Geranium) 1 - Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus' (Maiden grass) 10 - Delosperma 'John Proffit' (John Proffit Ice Plant) 6 - Liriopespicata (Liriope) 5 - Lavandula augustifolia 'Hidcote' (Hidcote Lavender) Photo Credit: Eichenlaub, Inc.

This fine-textured broadleafed evergreen grows as tall as it is wide, reaching a maintainable size of 3 feet and resembling a little green muffin. It’s an exceptionally compact boxwood excellent for use in smaller gardens for borders and focal areas. Densely branched, the tiny, green foliage is abundant and adds a distinctive note to the landscape, retaining its color particularly well in winter. The moderate rate of growth makes these boxwoods ideal for carefree edging in a wide area of the US. Other splendid characteristics include deer resistance and tolerance of dry soils once established. FEATURES Bloom/Feature Plant Type Shrubs Evergreen or Deciduous Evergreen USDA Zones 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Zone Detail Hardy to -20°F USDA zones 5–9 Key Features Deer resistant, evergreen foliage provides year-round interest. Use Hedge, border, mass planting Exposure Full sun to part shade Bloom Season Insignificant Dimension 3' H x 3' W Growth Rate Moderate CARE Water Keep soil moist Soil Type Well-drained garden soil Fertilizer Apply a balanced slow release each spring. Pruning Shape in early spring to maintain shape PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS • water before planting • plant in full sun to part shade • dig hole 2X the width of pot • backfill and plant 1”-2” above soil level • water and add more soil if needed • mulch plants

Beautiful Little Gem Magnolias in established landscape. Exterior Designs, Inc. by Beverly Katz
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional full sun front yard landscaping in New Orleans for spring.

Photo Credit: Nancy Nolan
Example of a classic light wood floor kitchen design in Little Rock with a single-bowl sink, white cabinets, white backsplash and an island

For this poolside landscape design we added several Little Gem Magnolia trees. This provides Spring and Summer flowers while creating a privacy screen year round. Little Gem Magnolia trees planted and provided by Treeland Nursery.

Photo Credit: Nancy Nolan
Elegant dining room photo in Little Rock

This formal residence is located in Highland Park, Texas features intensely manicured gardens, a cobblestone driveway, private motor court and a grand entry gate.

This little white cottage has been a hit! See our project " Little White Cottage for more photos. We have plans from 1379SF to 2745SF.
Example of a small classic white two-story concrete fiberboard exterior home design in Charleston with a metal roof

W.D. Wells & Associates, Inc. https://www.facebook.com/wdwells.inc Project Entry: The Potager Garden at Stonebridge Mansion 2013 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner Category: Theme Garden Award Level: Bronze Project Description: The Potager Garden at Stonebridge Mansion was completed as part ofthe Oxford Arts Alliance 2011Decorator's Showcase. The Garden is a fun and productive garden featuring culinary & medicinal herbs, vegetables, and sustainable gardening concepts. Many sustainable practices can be seen throughout the project such as a compost bin, a rain water harvesting system, and use of many native herbs and vegetables. A Potager is a French term for an ornamental vegetable garden or kitchen garden. We made sure to keep that in mind as we designed the space. By using a number of herbs that have both culinary and medicinal use we are trying to encourage the public to find more sustainable, home grown options for their own food and medicine. The project also features a vertical herbal wall which is a new idea taking shape in the industry. The wall allows you to provide herbs and vegetables with an optimum growing environment while saving an exorbitant amount of space. It gives people with limited space or poor growing conditions, such as people who live in cities an opportunity to grow their own herbs and vegetables. In addition to the herb wall, vegetables such as lettuce, spinach,beans,tomatoes, and many more can be seen throughout the garden. The garden is located adjacent to the kitchen of the residence to further enhance the garden to table idea. We hope that after seeing this fun themed garden people can both enjoy the space,but also try to apply many of the practices we show to their own landscape. We encouraged visitors to stroll through,or sit awhile in our garden, and learn about rain water harvesting, food crops,vertical gardening,and more! Plant List: Botanical Name (Common Name) 16 - Buxus microphylla 'Franklin's Gem' (Franklin's Gem Boxwood) 1 - Nandina domestica (Heavenly Bamboo) 3 - Dicentra eximia (Bleeding Heart) 5 - Hellebourous orienta/is (Lenten Rose) 8 - Vaccinium corymbost"1J (Highbush B;ueberry) 4 - Hellianthus anuus (Sunflower) 15 - Calendula officina/is (Marigold) 30 - Assorted Vegetables 30 - Assorted Herbs Photo Credit: W.D. Wells & Associates, Inc.

An English style Georgian home with walled courtyard garden. Photographer: John Howard.
Photo of a traditional backyard stone formal garden in Atlanta.

This kitchen was formerly a dark paneled, cluttered, divided space with little natural light. By eliminating partitions and creating a more functional, open floorplan, as well as adding modern windows with traditional detailing, providing lovingly detailed built-ins for the clients extensive collection of beautiful dishes, and lightening up the color palette we were able to create a rather miraculous transformation. The wide plank salvaged pine floors, the antique french dining table, as well as the Galbraith & Paul drum pendant and the salvaged antique glass monopoint track pendants all help to provide a warmth to the crisp detailing. Renovation/Addition. Rob Karosis Photography

Full Spectrum Photography
Nursery - coastal gender-neutral dark wood floor and brown floor nursery idea in Los Angeles with beige walls

Little Gem Magnolias provided and planted by Treeland Nursery.
Design ideas for a tropical landscaping in Dallas.

Jennifer and Dan have lived in their Deer Park Illinois home for 15 years, slowly making minor fixes like painting and decorating; but they had a new plan for their kitchen the entire time. An awkwardly placed garage door, and an island cooktop with a terrible downdraft made a full-scale kitchen remodel an absolute must. Jennifer had many ideas in mind and wanted to work with a company that could provide high-end work, while partnering with a designer that would tailor the kitchen to her ideas. She was intrigued by the phrase “Common Sense Remodeling” in Advance Design’s feature she discovered while perusing an issue of the community’s Quintessential Barrington Magazine. Doing further research on the company’s website, as she looked through project profiles and read about Advance Design’s “Common Sense Remodeling” philosophy, she promptly scheduled an appointment to see if the people and ideas she read about were truly who they said they were. The more she read, the more she knew that the “Common Sense” approach to remodeling they described was exactly the type of company she was looking for. The partnership was sealed after an initial consultation with Owner Todd Jurs and Project Designer Michelle Lecinski. They displayed a combination of friendliness, professionalism and respect that was unmatched by any of the other companies Jennifer talked to. She knew that with Advance Design, she would be able to retain the vision that she had in mind with high-quality craftsmanship. “I reached out to Advance Design because of the ‘Common Sense Remodeling’ tagline,” Jennifer said. “That’s what lingered for me”. “Advance Design was the most respectful- of the house and of my design ideas, and the most professional of the handful of companies that looked at my project”. Soon after the meeting Jennifer began working with Michelle on the project design. They quickly developed chemistry. Jennifer loved how Michelle researched and located every detail that Jennifer wanted for the kitchen. Between the two of them, every concept and idea was worked through and perfected. “Jennifer had definite ideas about what she wanted the new kitchen to look like, she just didn’t know how to bring it all together. We worked together really well to make her ideas into the practical reality necessary for a well-functioning kitchen, with the look and feel that she had envisioned”, says Michelle. “Michelle was wonderful in using the CAD system she would show me new drawings every time we changed the layout while working through the design,” Jennifer said. “She was a really wonderful partner in execution, she made sure everything happened quickly and easily.” The finished design drew out elements of Jennifer’s style and personality. The pair call the look “sophisticated farmhouse” to describe the kitchen renovation to family and friends. The result was a beautifully crafted, authentic-feeling space that satisfied Jennifer’s dreams 15 years in the making. The whole project consisted of a kitchen remodel, mudroom upgrade with powder room, and garage entry relocation. “The projects I personally like the best, are the ones that put the client’s dreams on display,” Project Designer Michelle said. “And this is one of those projects.” The main focal point of the kitchen is custom zinc and brass ventilation hood with a vintage sheen, which was hand made to order by a small company in Indiana named Vogler Metalworking. “It’s like sculpture, a true work of art”, says Jennifer. Your eye is immediately drawn towards this elegant yet practical hood that eliminated the home’s downdraft problem and added a striking conversation piece at the same time. The carpenters had to use special gloves when transporting and installing it, so they didn’t smudge it with fingerprints. The beautiful hood centers proudly over the stunning black enamel and brass LaCornue Range. “I had a friend who had a LaCornue range and after learning how easy it was to cook perfect meals, I was convinced I wanted to have one”, says Jennifer. This unique, breathtaking combination anchors the entire kitchen and is apparent immediately as you walk into the great room the surrounds the space. DuraSupreme Crestwood cabinets with a Kendall Panel add function and sophistication. A custom gray paint color paired with a storm blue was developed so that the new kitchen looked like it belonged to the existing space. Unlacquered brass faucets and hardware were important to Jennifer because she wanted the living finishes to age over time. Remarkable brass diamond mesh cabinet door inserts imported from the UK continue to add this one-of-a-kind kitchen renovation; giving it a “you won’t see this everywhere” quality. The use of old railcar flooring for the coffee bar countertop and reclaimed oak for the open shelving gives an authenticity to the space uncommon in kitchens today. Jennifer and Michelle fell in love with the Limestone Grey Stone while they were investigating unique island countertop ideas. They liked the fact that the limestone as a living finish will age and change over time. Calcutta Miel Quartz countertops made for an excellent pairing around the perimeter, as it’s durable and perfect for cooking preparations. A textured white subway tile backsplash that runs to the ceiling keeps your eye moving towards the open shelving, and to the main focal point of the stunning range hood combination. “The kitchen functions beautifully, and it’s gorgeous,” beams Jennifer as she gestures with both hands while smiling ear to ear. “The most important thing was I wanted a kitchen that had a wonderful flow, cooked beautiful meals and was a great gathering place for family and friends, and this space does that perfectly! Beauty wise, it turned out exactly how I had envisioned. I felt the function part was the hardest part, and that was nailed”! Relocating the garage entry to the new mudroom was a huge priority and has finally separated the family’s arriving home functions from their kitchen. Now coats and shoes and bags have their own area for dropping once members arrive home. Matching gray DuraSupreme cabinetry helped create gorgeous, purposeful lockers for the family. A reclaimed vintage sink and custom wall paper were added to the tiny powder room to beautify the once previously only functional space. Advance Design was even able to create a custom space for their dog to sleep while the family is away. “It was unbelievable that a project of this size was completed in such a short time, and I think that’s because of the large amount of planning and preparation that went into it,” Jennifer marveled, “When we started, we were ready, and everything was prepared”. When it came to execution, Project Manager Justin Davis and his crew were quick, accessible, and organized. Projects like this kitchen are typically completed in as little as 8-10 weeks. Jennifer’s kitchen however despite the relocation of some challenging HVAC in a soffit and moving of an exterior door was completed remarkably fast in part because the team was working with an existing tile floor that ran throughout the first floor that the client really loved. “You get to know these people really well because they’re living in your house while you’re living in your house. They were so fast and really good, it didn’t take as long as even planned” reported Jennifer. “I would text Justin and he always responded almost immediately. I got to know all the guys who were working in our house and they were all wonderful people”. Details in a customized kitchen like this one require skill and care from the people who install it. “All the guys on the job were skilled at what the did. I wanted small details like little feet to look like furniture, that is where their carpentry skill came in to make these all perfect”, said Jennifer. “The tile guys were wonderful. They even let me determine how I wanted the texture with the grout to appear for a salt and pepper look; now that is a very skilled trade person making it custom”. In Jennifer’s interview, she continued to reference Advance Design’s “Common Sense Remodeling”, so I took a minute to ask her exactly what that phrase meant to her and how it played out in her experience with her project and the Advance Design team. Here is what she said: “I was intrigued about Common Sense Remodeling and in my head that there would be clear costs and prices, great communication between the design team, the execution team and me”, said Jennifer. They did deliver on that, it was so clear about the cost breakdown, what I could expect from everyone who came to my house, and everything that we had ordered. That to me is the Common Sense”! It’s great to see a client take literally our assertion that a well-planned remodeling project is simply “Common Sense”! She anticipated each step of the way would be clear, concise, and predictable, all the while protecting the outcome due to the careful upfront planning. “Advance Design delivered on their ‘Common Sense Remodeling’ promise,” Jennifer said. “From the design team, to the execution team - everything was straight forward like I imagined. The project turned out exactly how I envisioned, I enjoyed this process and absolutely would recommend Advance Design Studio to anyone.”

A rich traditional garden flanking the asphalt driveway lined with a cushwa brick curb. The gardens are filled with 'Tina' crabapple, Hydrangea, boxwood, and Pachysandra ground cover. Photo Credit: Linda Oyama Bryan

Michele Lee Willson
Example of a transitional black floor powder room design in San Francisco with black walls and a wall-mount sink

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional full sun backyard brick formal garden in DC Metro.