Craig Bergmann Landscape Design was commissioned by the owner of this historic 1908 estate to develop a fresh, artistic re-interpretation of the existing gardens. An upper and lower garden room and stroll garden were redesigned with the key elements of running water, cool stone and shaded areas to preserve the garden’s original intent. A narrow rill connects two pools where water flows from the Upper Garden down to the Lower. Layering of foliage was as important as coordination of bloom times in order to achieve the sensuous, Moorish feel of the garden. The Stroll Garden plant collection, in contrast to the summer display of the Upper and Lower Gardens, was chosen for a spring flower display moving to a more textural foliage garden in summer. Photography by Linda Oyama Bryan

Family room - craftsman family room idea in Minneapolis

Example of a small transitional u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen design in New York with an undermount sink, white cabinets, white backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Blue and white kitchen cabinets in this updated, sophisticated modern farmhouse kitchen. We painted the lower cabinets in Sherwin Williams "Anchors Aweigh" and the upper cabinets in Sherwin Williams "Pure White".

Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized farmhouse u-shaped porcelain tile and gray floor eat-in kitchen idea in Other with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, no island and white countertops

Inspiration for a modern u-shaped dark wood floor and black floor kitchen remodel in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, black cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Kitchen design and remodel with black and white cabinetry, gray and white leathered quartzite countertop and slab backsplash, a marble niche, polished nickel fixtures and a butcher block walnut, Sub-Zero Wolf gas range top, stainless steel double oven, and refrigerator. Nearby fireplace has a newly designed mantel, tile surround and hearth, and painted to match black kitchen cabinetry.

Transitional kitchen photo in Portland Maine

A circular concrete retaining wall provides a welcoming sitting area nestled in the lower part of the landscape. Positioned in an ideal spot for the homeowners to enjoy the the stunning water-side views throughout the seasons and at sunset. The ground cover Lotus (Parrot's Beak) was just beginning to cascade down the wall when this photos was taken. Lagoon-side property in the Bel Marin Keys, Novato, CA. Design Eileen Kelly Photo: Darien Eckberg

Basement - rustic basement idea in Cincinnati

Jim Fuhrmann Photography
Example of a large transitional multiuse home gym design in New York with gray walls

Anne Buskirk
Example of a classic basement design in Indianapolis

David Frechette
Basement - transitional underground vinyl floor and brown floor basement idea in Detroit with gray walls

COA transformed this San Francisco home into a more beautiful, spacious, light-filled and comfortable space by redesigning the back of the house to create an open format kitchen/dining area with modern amenities. Helynn Ospina Photography

Transitional basement photo in Kansas City

Chuck Carver- Photographer
Beach style basement photo in Minneapolis

Alyssa Lee Photography
Staircase - mid-sized modern staircase idea in Minneapolis

gut renovation, new dyed ebony hardwood floors, Benjamin Moore super white walls, custom floating wood shelves to match flooring, nest smoke/carbon monoxide detector

A two-level pergola, circular firepit area and outdoor kitchen with a charcoal-gas combo grill star in this Houston patio addition designed for entertaining large crowds in style. "The client was an attorney with a passion for cooking and entertaining," says the project's principal designer, Lisha Maxey of LGH Designs. "Her main objective with this space was to create a large area for 10 to 20 guests, including seating and the prep and cooking of meals." Located in the backyard of the client's home in Spring, TX, this beautiful outdoor living and entertaining space includes a 28-by-12-foot patio with Fantastico silver travertine tile flooring, arranged in a Versailles pattern. The walkway is Oklahoma wister flagstone. Providing filtered shade for the patio is a two-level pergola of treated pine stained honey gold. The larger, higher tier is about 18 by 10 feet; the smaller, lower tier is about 10 feet square. "We covered the entire pergola with Lexan - a high-quality, clear acrylic sheet that provides protection from the sun, heat and rain," says Outdoor Homescapes of Houston owner Wayne Franks. Beneath the lower tier of the pergola sits an L-shaped, 12-by-9-foot outdoor kitchen island faced with Carmel Country ledgestone. The island houses a Fire Magic® combination charcoal-gas grill and lowered power burner, a Pacific Living countertop pizza oven and a stainless steel RCS trash drawer and sink. The countertops and raised bar are Fantastico silver travertine (18-square-inch tiles) and the backsplash is real quartz. "The most unique design item of this kitchen area is the hexagon/circular table we added to the end of the long bar," says Lisha. This enabled the client to add seating for her dining guests." Under the higher, larger tier of the pergola is a seating area, made up of a coffee table and espresso-colored rattan sofa and club chairs with spring-green-and-white cushions. "Lighting also plays an important role in this space, since the client often entertains in the evening," says Wayne. Enter the chandelier over the patio seating arrangement and - over the outdoor kitchen - pendant lamps and an industrial-modern ceiling fan with a light fixture in the center. "It's important to layer your lighting for ambiance, security and safety - from an all-over ambient light that fills the space to under-the-counter task lighting for food prep and cooking to path and retaining wall lighting." Off the patio is a transition area of crushed granite and floating flagstone pavers, leading to a circular firepit area of stamped concrete. At the center of this circle is the standalone firepit, framed at the back by a curved stone bench. The walls of the bench and column bases for the pergola, by the way, are the same ledgestone as the kitchen island. The top slab on the bench is a hearth piece of manmade stone. "I think the finish materials blend with the home really well," says Wayne. "We met her objectives of being able to entertain with 10 to 12 to 20 people at one time and being able to cook with charcoal and gas separately in one unit. And of course, the project was on time, on budget." "It is truly a paradise," says client Carvanna Cloud in her Houzz review of the project. "They listened to my vision and incorporated their expertise to create an outdoor living space just perfect for me and my family!"