SLDarch: The shaded Main Entry, tucked deep into the shadows, is approached from a rising stepped garden path, leading up to a gentle, quiet water feature and custom stainless steel, glass and wood pivot entry door...open this and venture in to the Central Foyer space, shrouded by curved concrete & stainless steel structure and orienting the visitor to the central core of this curvaceous home. From this central orientation point, one begins to perceive the magic and mystery yet to be revealed in the undulating spatial volumes, spiraling out in several directions. Ahead is the kitchen and breakfast room, to the right are the Children's Bedroom Wing and the 'ocotillo stairs' to Master Bedroom upstairs. Venture left down the gentle ramp that follows along the gurgling water stream and meander past the bar and billiards, or on towards the main living room. The entire ceiling areas are a brilliant series of overlapping smoothly curved plaster and steel framed layers, separated by translucent poly-carbonate panels. This combats the intense summer heat and light, but carefully allows indirect natural daylight to gently sift through the deep interior of this unique desert home. Wandering through the organic curves of this home eventually leads you to another gentle ramp leading to the very private and secluded Meditation Room, entered through a double shoji door and sporting a supple leather floor radiating around a large circular glass Floor Window. Here is the ideal place to sit and meditate while seeming to hover over the colorful reflecting koi pool just below. The glass meditation room walls slide open, revealing a special desert garden, while at night the gurgling water reflects dancing lights up through the glass floor into this lovely Zen Zone. "Blocking the intense summer sun was a prime objective here and was accomplished by clever site orientation, massive roof overhangs, super insulated exterior walls and roof, ultra high-efficiency water cooled A/C system and ample earth contact and below grade areas." There is a shady garden path with foot bridge crossing over a natural desert wash, leading to the detached Desert Office, actually set below the xeriscape desert garden by 30" while hidden below, completely underground and naturally cooled sits another six car garage. The main residence also has a 4 car below grade garage and lovely swimming pool with party patio in the backyard. This property falls withing the City Of Scottsdale Natural Area Open Space area so special attention was required for this sensitive desert land project.

Historic Swiss Avenue Kitchen Renovation Located in the heart of East Dallas, Swiss Avenue is renowned for its stately, historic homes that embody timeless elegance. Our recent kitchen renovation project at 5901 Swiss Avenue is a testament to preserving this charm while integrating modern functionality and style. Design Philosophy This kitchen embodies a transitional style with a strong nod to traditional elements, meticulously crafted to harmonize with the historical character of the home. The goal was to create a space that feels both contemporary and timeless, blending seamlessly with the home’s architectural heritage. Key Features and Materials • Countertops: The centerpiece of this kitchen is the stunning Cambria Portrush quartz countertops. With their luxurious marble-like veining, they provide a durable yet elegant surface that complements the overall aesthetic. • Sink and Faucet: At the heart of the prep area is the Kohler Whitehaven sink, known for its durability and classic appeal. Paired with a Newport Brass faucet, this combination ensures both functionality and a touch of sophistication. • Appliances: The kitchen is outfitted with top-of-the-line appliances that marry modern convenience with sleek design. The range top from Wolf offers professional-grade cooking capabilities, while the Sub-Zero refrigerator and Cove dishwasher ensure seamless, efficient kitchen operations. Design Elements • Cabinetry: Custom cabinetry, finished in a crisp white, offers ample storage and maintains a clean, cohesive look. The brass hardware adds a touch of warmth and vintage appeal, tying in beautifully with the historic nature of the home. • Lighting: A striking chandelier over the island serves as both a focal point and a functional element, casting a warm glow that enhances the kitchen’s welcoming atmosphere. • Backsplash: The herringbone tile backsplash adds texture and visual interest, providing a modern twist on a classic design. Functionality and Flow The layout of the kitchen was carefully planned to optimize space and functionality. The central island not only serves as a workspace and gathering spot but also anchors the kitchen, creating a natural flow for cooking and socializing. Ample natural light streams in from the large windows, enhancing the bright and airy feel of the space. Preserving History Special attention was given to ensuring that the renovation respects the home’s historical roots. Elements like the detailed cabinetry and the choice of classic materials were selected to honor the traditional craftsmanship and aesthetic of Swiss Avenue’s historic homes. Conclusion This kitchen on Swiss Avenue is more than just a cooking space; it’s a blend of past and present, a tribute to the home’s storied past with all the conveniences of modern living. Whether for intimate family meals or entertaining guests, this kitchen stands ready as the heart of the home, a place where history and contemporary life beautifully coexist.

Historic Swiss Avenue Kitchen Renovation Located in the heart of East Dallas, Swiss Avenue is renowned for its stately, historic homes that embody timeless elegance. Our recent kitchen renovation project at 5901 Swiss Avenue is a testament to preserving this charm while integrating modern functionality and style. Design Philosophy This kitchen embodies a transitional style with a strong nod to traditional elements, meticulously crafted to harmonize with the historical character of the home. The goal was to create a space that feels both contemporary and timeless, blending seamlessly with the home’s architectural heritage. Key Features and Materials • Countertops: The centerpiece of this kitchen is the stunning Cambria Portrush quartz countertops. With their luxurious marble-like veining, they provide a durable yet elegant surface that complements the overall aesthetic. • Sink and Faucet: At the heart of the prep area is the Kohler Whitehaven sink, known for its durability and classic appeal. Paired with a Newport Brass faucet, this combination ensures both functionality and a touch of sophistication. • Appliances: The kitchen is outfitted with top-of-the-line appliances that marry modern convenience with sleek design. The range top from Wolf offers professional-grade cooking capabilities, while the Sub-Zero refrigerator and Cove dishwasher ensure seamless, efficient kitchen operations. Design Elements • Cabinetry: Custom cabinetry, finished in a crisp white, offers ample storage and maintains a clean, cohesive look. The brass hardware adds a touch of warmth and vintage appeal, tying in beautifully with the historic nature of the home. • Lighting: A striking chandelier over the island serves as both a focal point and a functional element, casting a warm glow that enhances the kitchen’s welcoming atmosphere. • Backsplash: The herringbone tile backsplash adds texture and visual interest, providing a modern twist on a classic design. Functionality and Flow The layout of the kitchen was carefully planned to optimize space and functionality. The central island not only serves as a workspace and gathering spot but also anchors the kitchen, creating a natural flow for cooking and socializing. Ample natural light streams in from the large windows, enhancing the bright and airy feel of the space. Preserving History Special attention was given to ensuring that the renovation respects the home’s historical roots. Elements like the detailed cabinetry and the choice of classic materials were selected to honor the traditional craftsmanship and aesthetic of Swiss Avenue’s historic homes. Conclusion This kitchen on Swiss Avenue is more than just a cooking space; it’s a blend of past and present, a tribute to the home’s storied past with all the conveniences of modern living. Whether for intimate family meals or entertaining guests, this kitchen stands ready as the heart of the home, a place where history and contemporary life beautifully coexist.

SLDarch: The shaded Main Entry, tucked deep into the shadows, is approached from a rising stepped garden path, leading up to a gentle, quiet water feature and custom stainless steel, glass and wood pivot entry door...open this and venture in to the Central Foyer space, shrouded by curved concrete & stainless steel structure and orienting the visitor to the central core of this curvaceous home. From this central orientation point, one begins to perceive the magic and mystery yet to be revealed in the undulating spatial volumes, spiraling out in several directions. Ahead is the kitchen and breakfast room, to the right are the Children's Bedroom Wing and the 'ocotillo stairs' to Master Bedroom upstairs. Venture left down the gentle ramp that follows along the gurgling water stream and meander past the bar and billiards, or on towards the main living room. The entire ceiling areas are a brilliant series of overlapping smoothly curved plaster and steel framed layers, separated by translucent poly-carbonate panels. This combats the intense summer heat and light, but carefully allows indirect natural daylight to gently sift through the deep interior of this unique desert home. Wandering through the organic curves of this home eventually leads you to another gentle ramp leading to the very private and secluded Meditation Room, entered through a double shoji door and sporting a supple leather floor radiating around a large circular glass Floor Window. Here is the ideal place to sit and meditate while seeming to hover over the colorful reflecting koi pool just below. The glass meditation room walls slide open, revealing a special desert garden, while at night the gurgling water reflects dancing lights up through the glass floor into this lovely Zen Zone. "Blocking the intense summer sun was a prime objective here and was accomplished by clever site orientation, massive roof overhangs, super insulated exterior walls and roof, ultra high-efficiency water cooled A/C system and ample earth contact and below grade areas." There is a shady garden path with foot bridge crossing over a natural desert wash, leading to the detached Desert Office, actually set below the xeriscape desert garden by 30" while hidden below, completely underground and naturally cooled sits another six car garage. The main residence also has a 4 car below grade garage and lovely swimming pool with party patio in the backyard. This property falls withing the City Of Scottsdale Natural Area Open Space area so special attention was required for this sensitive desert land project.

Historic Swiss Avenue Kitchen Renovation Located in the heart of East Dallas, Swiss Avenue is renowned for its stately, historic homes that embody timeless elegance. Our recent kitchen renovation project at 5901 Swiss Avenue is a testament to preserving this charm while integrating modern functionality and style. Design Philosophy This kitchen embodies a transitional style with a strong nod to traditional elements, meticulously crafted to harmonize with the historical character of the home. The goal was to create a space that feels both contemporary and timeless, blending seamlessly with the home’s architectural heritage. Key Features and Materials • Countertops: The centerpiece of this kitchen is the stunning Cambria Portrush quartz countertops. With their luxurious marble-like veining, they provide a durable yet elegant surface that complements the overall aesthetic. • Sink and Faucet: At the heart of the prep area is the Kohler Whitehaven sink, known for its durability and classic appeal. Paired with a Newport Brass faucet, this combination ensures both functionality and a touch of sophistication. • Appliances: The kitchen is outfitted with top-of-the-line appliances that marry modern convenience with sleek design. The range top from Wolf offers professional-grade cooking capabilities, while the Sub-Zero refrigerator and Cove dishwasher ensure seamless, efficient kitchen operations. Design Elements • Cabinetry: Custom cabinetry, finished in a crisp white, offers ample storage and maintains a clean, cohesive look. The brass hardware adds a touch of warmth and vintage appeal, tying in beautifully with the historic nature of the home. • Lighting: A striking chandelier over the island serves as both a focal point and a functional element, casting a warm glow that enhances the kitchen’s welcoming atmosphere. • Backsplash: The herringbone tile backsplash adds texture and visual interest, providing a modern twist on a classic design. Functionality and Flow The layout of the kitchen was carefully planned to optimize space and functionality. The central island not only serves as a workspace and gathering spot but also anchors the kitchen, creating a natural flow for cooking and socializing. Ample natural light streams in from the large windows, enhancing the bright and airy feel of the space. Preserving History Special attention was given to ensuring that the renovation respects the home’s historical roots. Elements like the detailed cabinetry and the choice of classic materials were selected to honor the traditional craftsmanship and aesthetic of Swiss Avenue’s historic homes. Conclusion This kitchen on Swiss Avenue is more than just a cooking space; it’s a blend of past and present, a tribute to the home’s storied past with all the conveniences of modern living. Whether for intimate family meals or entertaining guests, this kitchen stands ready as the heart of the home, a place where history and contemporary life beautifully coexist.

Historic Swiss Avenue Kitchen Renovation Located in the heart of East Dallas, Swiss Avenue is renowned for its stately, historic homes that embody timeless elegance. Our recent kitchen renovation project at 5901 Swiss Avenue is a testament to preserving this charm while integrating modern functionality and style. Design Philosophy This kitchen embodies a transitional style with a strong nod to traditional elements, meticulously crafted to harmonize with the historical character of the home. The goal was to create a space that feels both contemporary and timeless, blending seamlessly with the home’s architectural heritage. Key Features and Materials • Countertops: The centerpiece of this kitchen is the stunning Cambria Portrush quartz countertops. With their luxurious marble-like veining, they provide a durable yet elegant surface that complements the overall aesthetic. • Sink and Faucet: At the heart of the prep area is the Kohler Whitehaven sink, known for its durability and classic appeal. Paired with a Newport Brass faucet, this combination ensures both functionality and a touch of sophistication. • Appliances: The kitchen is outfitted with top-of-the-line appliances that marry modern convenience with sleek design. The range top from Wolf offers professional-grade cooking capabilities, while the Sub-Zero refrigerator and Cove dishwasher ensure seamless, efficient kitchen operations. Design Elements • Cabinetry: Custom cabinetry, finished in a crisp white, offers ample storage and maintains a clean, cohesive look. The brass hardware adds a touch of warmth and vintage appeal, tying in beautifully with the historic nature of the home. • Lighting: A striking chandelier over the island serves as both a focal point and a functional element, casting a warm glow that enhances the kitchen’s welcoming atmosphere. • Backsplash: The herringbone tile backsplash adds texture and visual interest, providing a modern twist on a classic design. Functionality and Flow The layout of the kitchen was carefully planned to optimize space and functionality. The central island not only serves as a workspace and gathering spot but also anchors the kitchen, creating a natural flow for cooking and socializing. Ample natural light streams in from the large windows, enhancing the bright and airy feel of the space. Preserving History Special attention was given to ensuring that the renovation respects the home’s historical roots. Elements like the detailed cabinetry and the choice of classic materials were selected to honor the traditional craftsmanship and aesthetic of Swiss Avenue’s historic homes. Conclusion This kitchen on Swiss Avenue is more than just a cooking space; it’s a blend of past and present, a tribute to the home’s storied past with all the conveniences of modern living. Whether for intimate family meals or entertaining guests, this kitchen stands ready as the heart of the home, a place where history and contemporary life beautifully coexist.

Historic Swiss Avenue Kitchen Renovation Located in the heart of East Dallas, Swiss Avenue is renowned for its stately, historic homes that embody timeless elegance. Our recent kitchen renovation project at 5901 Swiss Avenue is a testament to preserving this charm while integrating modern functionality and style. Design Philosophy This kitchen embodies a transitional style with a strong nod to traditional elements, meticulously crafted to harmonize with the historical character of the home. The goal was to create a space that feels both contemporary and timeless, blending seamlessly with the home’s architectural heritage. Key Features and Materials • Countertops: The centerpiece of this kitchen is the stunning Cambria Portrush quartz countertops. With their luxurious marble-like veining, they provide a durable yet elegant surface that complements the overall aesthetic. • Sink and Faucet: At the heart of the prep area is the Kohler Whitehaven sink, known for its durability and classic appeal. Paired with a Newport Brass faucet, this combination ensures both functionality and a touch of sophistication. • Appliances: The kitchen is outfitted with top-of-the-line appliances that marry modern convenience with sleek design. The range top from Wolf offers professional-grade cooking capabilities, while the Sub-Zero refrigerator and Cove dishwasher ensure seamless, efficient kitchen operations. Design Elements • Cabinetry: Custom cabinetry, finished in a crisp white, offers ample storage and maintains a clean, cohesive look. The brass hardware adds a touch of warmth and vintage appeal, tying in beautifully with the historic nature of the home. • Lighting: A striking chandelier over the island serves as both a focal point and a functional element, casting a warm glow that enhances the kitchen’s welcoming atmosphere. • Backsplash: The herringbone tile backsplash adds texture and visual interest, providing a modern twist on a classic design. Functionality and Flow The layout of the kitchen was carefully planned to optimize space and functionality. The central island not only serves as a workspace and gathering spot but also anchors the kitchen, creating a natural flow for cooking and socializing. Ample natural light streams in from the large windows, enhancing the bright and airy feel of the space. Preserving History Special attention was given to ensuring that the renovation respects the home’s historical roots. Elements like the detailed cabinetry and the choice of classic materials were selected to honor the traditional craftsmanship and aesthetic of Swiss Avenue’s historic homes. Conclusion This kitchen on Swiss Avenue is more than just a cooking space; it’s a blend of past and present, a tribute to the home’s storied past with all the conveniences of modern living. Whether for intimate family meals or entertaining guests, this kitchen stands ready as the heart of the home, a place where history and contemporary life beautifully coexist.

SLDarch: The shaded Main Entry, tucked deep into the shadows, is approached from a rising stepped garden path, leading up to a gentle, quiet water feature and custom stainless steel, glass and wood pivot entry door...open this and venture in to the Central Foyer space, shrouded by curved concrete & stainless steel structure and orienting the visitor to the central core of this curvaceous home. From this central orientation point, one begins to perceive the magic and mystery yet to be revealed in the undulating spatial volumes, spiraling out in several directions. Ahead is the kitchen and breakfast room, to the right are the Children's Bedroom Wing and the 'ocotillo stairs' to Master Bedroom upstairs. Venture left down the gentle ramp that follows along the gurgling water stream and meander past the bar and billiards, or on towards the main living room. The entire ceiling areas are a brilliant series of overlapping smoothly curved plaster and steel framed layers, separated by translucent poly-carbonate panels. This combats the intense summer heat and light, but carefully allows indirect natural daylight to gently sift through the deep interior of this unique desert home. Wandering through the organic curves of this home eventually leads you to another gentle ramp leading to the very private and secluded Meditation Room, entered through a double shoji door and sporting a supple leather floor radiating around a large circular glass Floor Window. Here is the ideal place to sit and meditate while seeming to hover over the colorful reflecting koi pool just below. The glass meditation room walls slide open, revealing a special desert garden, while at night the gurgling water reflects dancing lights up through the glass floor into this lovely Zen Zone. "Blocking the intense summer sun was a prime objective here and was accomplished by clever site orientation, massive roof overhangs, super insulated exterior walls and roof, ultra high-efficiency water cooled A/C system and ample earth contact and below grade areas." There is a shady garden path with foot bridge crossing over a natural desert wash, leading to the detached Desert Office, actually set below the xeriscape desert garden by 30" while hidden below, completely underground and naturally cooled sits another six car garage. The main residence also has a 4 car below grade garage and lovely swimming pool with party patio in the backyard. This property falls withing the City Of Scottsdale Natural Area Open Space area so special attention was required for this sensitive desert land project.

Design Statement: My design challenge was to create and build a new ultra modern kitchen with a futuristic flare. This state of the art kitchen was to be equipped with an ample amount of usable storage and a better view of the outside while balancing design and function. Some of the project goals were to include the following; a multi-level island with seating for four people, dramatic use of lighting, state of the art appliances, a generous view of the outside and last but not least, to create a kitchen space that looks like no other...”The WOW Factor”. This challenging project was a completely new design and full renovation. The existing kitchen was outdated and in desperate need help. My new design required me to remove existing walls, cabinetry, flooring, plumbing, electric…a complete demolition. My job functions were to be the interior designer, GC, electrician and a laborer. Construction and Design The existing kitchen had one small window in it like many kitchens. The main difficulty was…how to create more windows while gaining more cabinet storage. As a designer, our clients require us to think out of the box and give them something that they may have never dreamed of. I did just that. I created two 8’ glass backsplashes (with no visible supports) on the corner of the house. This was not easy task, engineering of massive blind headers and lam beams were used to support the load of the new floating walls. A generous amount of 48” high wall cabinets flank the new walls and appear floating in air seamlessly above the glass backsplash. Technology and Design The dramatic use of the latest in LED lighting was used. From color changing accent lights, high powered multi-directional spot lights, decorative soffit lights, under cabinet and above cabinet LED tape lights…all to be controlled from wall panels or mobile devises. A built-in ipad also controls not only the lighting, but a climate controlled thermostat, house wide music streaming with individually controlled zones, alarm system, video surveillance system and door bell. Materials and design Large amounts of glass and gloss; glass backsplash, iridescent glass tiles, raised glass island counter top, Quartz counter top with iridescent glass chips infused in it. 24” x 24” high polished porcelain tile flooring to give the appearance of water or glass. The custom cabinets are high gloss lacquer with a metallic fleck. All doors and drawers are Blum soft-close. The result is an ultra sleek and highly sophisticated design. Appliances and design All appliances were chosen for the ultimate in sleekness. These appliances include: a 48” built-in custom paneled subzero refrigerator/freezer, a built-in Miele dishwasher that is so quiet that it shoots a red led light on the floor to let you know that its on., a 36” Miele induction cook top and a built-in 200 bottle wine cooler. Some other cool features are the led kitchen faucet that changes color based on the water temperature. A stainless and glass wall hood with led lights. All duct work was built into the stainless steel toe kicks and grooves were cut into it to release airflow. Photography by Mark Oser

Inspired by native limestone waterfall, and designed to naturally blend into the landscape but make a huge impression and impact, this pondless waterfall built in the loess hills of Western Iowa is a signature project and an absolute stunner. Its placement on the hillside across the driveway for the house provided a perfect setting to make a dramatic impact. The variety of small and large waterfalls helps provide scale and interest, along with making different sounds as the water crashes over the rocks to fill the air with a fabulous ambiance. The character of the weathered limestone helps the feature appear seamless and as if it is naturally eroding out of the hillside. A variety of evergreens punctuate the landscape, and perennial natives and grasses blend into the native prairie grass establish beyond the waterfall. This waterfall feature's Aquascape products and LED lighting. Built to run in all four seasons, but with the ease of being shut of for vacations and quickly started upon returning with no need to fill the reservoir and with no hassle. Running the feature on a timer and the addition of an IonGen helps keep this feature free from algae. A similar project built in the Omaha Metro Area would have a budget around $30,000 and would take 2-3 weeks to create. Neptune's Water Gardens is the premier water feature design and installation company in the #Omaha Metro area. Our naturally balanced, low-maintenance ecosystem ponds work with Mother Nature, not against her. We pride ourselves in creating water features that appear to have always existed in their surrounding landscape. Whether you choose an ecosystem #pond, decorative #fountainscape, #Pondless® #Waterfall or the new #RainXchange™ System that pairs a rainwater harvesting system with a #decorative water feature – you'll be thrilled with the sight and sound that water brings to your #landscape. From #trees to #shrubs; #patios to retaining walls, the experienced #designers and #craftsman at #Neptune's Water Gardens will be able to bring all of your #outdoor living ideas to reality . For more information and inspiration visit our website http://www.neptuneswatergardens.com/pondless.html Serving the Omaha Metro Area and Eastern #Nebraska and Western #Iowa . Services include pond help, pond cleaning and repair, pond and water feature maintenance, boulder bubblers and fountains, water garden and koi pond design and installation, pondless and disappearing waterfall design and installation, landscape design installation and maintenance, Stone and paver patios and retaining walls . #neptuneswatergardens #ncn #cac #aquascape #pondstars Design, Installation, And Photographs By Jason Heller and Neptune's Water Gardens

Neptune's Water Gardens is the premier water feature design and installation company in the #Omaha Metro area. Our naturally balanced, low-maintenance ecosystem ponds work with Mother Nature, not against her. We pride ourselves in creating water features that appear to have always existed in their surrounding landscape. Whether you choose an ecosystem #pond, decorative #fountainscape, #Pondless® #Waterfall or the new #RainXchange™ System that pairs a rainwater harvesting system with a #decorative water feature – you'll be thrilled with the sight and sound that water brings to your #landscape. From #trees to #shrubs; #patios to retaining walls, the experienced #designers and #craftsman at #Neptune's Water Gardens will be able to bring all of your #outdoor living ideas to reality . For more information and inspiration visit our website http://www.omahaponds.com . Serving the Omaha Metro Area and Eastern #Nebraska and Western #Iowa . Services include pond help, pond cleaning and repair, pond and water feature maintenance, boulder bubblers and fountains, water garden and koi pond design and installation, pondless and disappearing waterfall design and installation, landscape design installation and maintenance, Stone and paver patios and retaining walls . #neptuneswatergardens #ncn #cac #aquascape #pondstars

Budget Blinds blackout roller shades, photo credit installer Adam Brannick
Example of a mid-sized transitional guest bedroom design in Cedar Rapids with gray walls and no fireplace

Neptune's Water Gardens is the premier water feature design and installation company in the #Omaha Metro area. Our naturally balanced, low-maintenance ecosystem ponds work with Mother Nature, not against her. We pride ourselves in creating water features that appear to have always existed in their surrounding landscape. Whether you choose an ecosystem #pond, decorative #fountainscape, #Pondless® #Waterfall or the new #RainXchange™ System that pairs a rainwater harvesting system with a #decorative water feature – you'll be thrilled with the sight and sound that water brings to your #landscape. From #trees to #shrubs; #patios to retaining walls, the experienced #designers and #craftsman at #Neptune's Water Gardens will be able to bring all of your #outdoor living ideas to reality . For more information and inspiration visit our website http://www.omahaponds.com . Serving the Omaha Metro Area and Eastern #Nebraska and Western #Iowa . Services include pond help, pond cleaning and repair, pond and water feature maintenance, boulder bubblers and fountains, water garden and koi pond design and installation, pondless and disappearing waterfall design and installation, landscape design installation and maintenance, Stone and paver patios and retaining walls . #neptuneswatergardens #ncn #cac #aquascape #pondstars

Neptune's Water Gardens is the premier water feature design and installation company in the #Omaha Metro area. Our naturally balanced, low-maintenance ecosystem ponds work with Mother Nature, not against her. We pride ourselves in creating water features that appear to have always existed in their surrounding landscape. Whether you choose an ecosystem #pond, decorative #fountainscape, #Pondless® #Waterfall or the new #RainXchange™ System that pairs a rainwater harvesting system with a #decorative water feature – you'll be thrilled with the sight and sound that water brings to your #landscape. From #trees to #shrubs; #patios to retaining walls, the experienced #designers and #craftsman at #Neptune's Water Gardens will be able to bring all of your #outdoor living ideas to reality . For more information and inspiration visit our website http://www.omahaponds.com . Serving the Omaha Metro Area and Eastern #Nebraska and Western #Iowa . Services include pond help, pond cleaning and repair, pond and water feature maintenance, boulder bubblers and fountains, water garden and koi pond design and installation, pondless and disappearing waterfall design and installation, landscape design installation and maintenance, Stone and paver patios and retaining walls . #neptuneswatergardens #ncn #cac #aquascape #pondstars

Took an old outdated bathroom and turned it into this sleek, bright bathroom. Notice all the natural light and clean lines.
Freestanding bathtub - mid-sized contemporary master white tile and ceramic tile porcelain tile freestanding bathtub idea in Nashville with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, concrete countertops, a one-piece toilet and white walls

There are so many design elements to this kitchen, I almost don’t know where to start. Bright and airy with crisp clean white cabinets, the kitchen is open and welcoming. Still crisp but gently contrasting, the stainless steel appliance add depth amid the white. To keep this kitchen warm, natural oak covers the floors and a toasted wheat color washes the walls. And then there is the architectural elements. You know. That post and beam in the middle of the room. It’s the center of attention. When you walk into a room your eyes roam around, establishing the size and shape of the room as your feet take you forward. From the front door of this home straight ahead you encountered this wall. The dining area to the right gives you a glimpse of things to come. Where there is a dining room you will usually find a kitchen. The architecture of years gone by consistently hides the kitchen, the heart of the home, behind walls. I sympathize with my Mom, and all the other Moms, who have had to spend so much time tucked into a tight kitchen, away from the family. This wall had to go, but it was structural. We needed its support but not its bulk. So we got rid of the bulk and only the bulk. Instead of a wall we have a post and beam, offering all of the structure we need. We could have installed a huge steel beam and reconfigure the joists to upset the beam, but why? The small beam and post add an incredible architectural element. It’s turning lemons into lemon, we simply made the most of what we had. It may be functional but it’s so fantastic. It looks like we created the effect just for the drama. The original kitchen may have had a working triangle and some counter space, but it was fairly small, with each area only a step or two away. The dark cabinets made the space feel even smaller and the butcher block patterned laminate counter tops were very dated. The appliances were feeling their age as well, from a coil burner electric stove to a top freezer refrigerator. To keep this kitchen within its space, a half wall separated it from the dining area. With the wall gone we borrowed some space from the living room and extended what was a U shaped kitchen into an L. At the living room window we start our new kitchen. We kept a small part of the wall to support the other end of our decorative beam. Sandwiched between a large pantry and our new French door refrigerator, the wall disappears. With our new open floor plan a sizable island was in order. We split our cooking areas and installed a continuous grill gas cooktop into the island. A sleek island hood takes care of exhaust and adds an extra element to our architectural feature. Under the cooktop we added over-sized drawers for pots and pan storage. The frameless cabinets from New River Cabinetry are maple, painted white, with the Herndon door style. With the cooktop safely nestled into our island, we still had to add an oven. We used the space where the old range sat for a large single oven of stainless steel and glass. If it worked for one, why not two? We created a home for a microwave in the wall cabinets. It’s perfect for heating leftovers so close to the refrigerator. An important consideration for hot spots in your kitchen is landing zones. Each of our cooking areas have generous landing zones, one on each side of the cooktop and an entire counter area above or below the ovens, depending on which one you’re using. We wanted to give the sink area more room so the half wall had to come out. We moved the trash and recycle cans into a cabinet, removed the heavy soffits and kept the sink under the window. With that little bit of extra space we were able to add a larger cabinet above the dishwasher and slide it all down. This used to be where the carpeting met the vinyl floor, but all of it is gone. Long oak planks eliminate that final divide between the kitchen and the dining area, while adding visual length to the area. White wall cabinets on each side of the window reflect the sunlight for a brighter view. With all of the darker cabinetry the backsplash walls had been painted white. Even still, there was a darkness in the corners and it wasn’t very exciting. We wanted to add visual interest and reflect the new under-cabinet lighting, eliminating the shadows in this corner. With 1″x 2″ Arabescato Honed marble mosaics and those under-cabinet lights, we achieved the perfect balance. The marble has subtle swirls in gray and beige on a clean white background, but with the honed finish the light is softly reflected instead of glaring. For granite, we chose the soft gray tones of Luna Pearl. The speckles of gray and beige are a gentle contrast to the white cabinets and emulate the color of the stainless steel. Between the carpet, red half wall, dark railing and dated light fixture, the dining area felt tired. Since the kitchen lacked sufficient storage, a large utility cabinet crowded the table space without adding any decorate elements. Although it didn’t get any bigger, our dining area feels fresher and more open too. With the oak flooring joining the area to the rest of our space and the toasted wheat on the walls, the white table and chairs compliment the cabinetry while contrasting the warmer colors. We replaced the chandelier with recessed lighting and changed that railing too. With our new open floor plan, we ended up with a fairly open area in between our foyer closet and the living room window. Not one to miss an opportunity, we filled the space with a multi-functional work space. With the sunlight streaming in this bright corner works for anything this family needs. There’s plenty of space for a chair under this large desk drawer. A closed cabinet below, glass doors above and lots of open shelving let you store and or showcase your belongings. We added a lite area at the top to keep away the darker corners. The transformation is complete. This kitchen and all of its features are truly the center of attention in this home. http://www.designsbyskill.com/ http://www.rjkconstructioninc.com/

Design Statement: My design challenge was to create and build a new ultra modern kitchen with a futuristic flare. This state of the art kitchen was to be equipped with an ample amount of usable storage and a better view of the outside while balancing design and function. Some of the project goals were to include the following; a multi-level island with seating for four people, dramatic use of lighting, state of the art appliances, a generous view of the outside and last but not least, to create a kitchen space that looks like no other...”The WOW Factor”. This challenging project was a completely new design and full renovation. The existing kitchen was outdated and in desperate need help. My new design required me to remove existing walls, cabinetry, flooring, plumbing, electric…a complete demolition. My job functions were to be the interior designer, GC, electrician and a laborer. Construction and Design The existing kitchen had one small window in it like many kitchens. The main difficulty was…how to create more windows while gaining more cabinet storage. As a designer, our clients require us to think out of the box and give them something that they may have never dreamed of. I did just that. I created two 8’ glass backsplashes (with no visible supports) on the corner of the house. This was not easy task, engineering of massive blind headers and lam beams were used to support the load of the new floating walls. A generous amount of 48” high wall cabinets flank the new walls and appear floating in air seamlessly above the glass backsplash. Technology and Design The dramatic use of the latest in LED lighting was used. From color changing accent lights, high powered multi-directional spot lights, decorative soffit lights, under cabinet and above cabinet LED tape lights…all to be controlled from wall panels or mobile devises. A built-in ipad also controls not only the lighting, but a climate controlled thermostat, house wide music streaming with individually controlled zones, alarm system, video surveillance system and door bell. Materials and design Large amounts of glass and gloss; glass backsplash, iridescent glass tiles, raised glass island counter top, Quartz counter top with iridescent glass chips infused in it. 24” x 24” high polished porcelain tile flooring to give the appearance of water or glass. The custom cabinets are high gloss lacquer with a metallic fleck. All doors and drawers are Blum soft-close. The result is an ultra sleek and highly sophisticated design. Appliances and design All appliances were chosen for the ultimate in sleekness. These appliances include: a 48” built-in custom paneled subzero refrigerator/freezer, a built-in Miele dishwasher that is so quiet that it shoots a red led light on the floor to let you know that its on., a 36” Miele induction cook top and a built-in 200 bottle wine cooler. Some other cool features are the led kitchen faucet that changes color based on the water temperature. A stainless and glass wall hood with led lights. All duct work was built into the stainless steel toe kicks and grooves were cut into it to release airflow. Photography by Mark Oser