Search results for "Maintaining wellness" in Home Design Ideas

This paving and planting scheme features new hard landscaping elements and a new planting scheme. Artscape was initially briefed to extend and enhance the patio in the garden of a lovely home in the village of Cookham Dean in Berkshire. Our clients wanted to increase the size of the paved area so they could use it more frequently for relaxing and dining in the sun during the day. As well as increasing its size and practicality, they wanted the terrace to look and feel more inviting. The existing site was a mixture of brick paving, which was slippery underfoot, and tired concrete crazy paving. The patio also had stone retaining walls surrounded by sloped lawns and a few poorly maintained and mismatched shrubs.
Redesigned and repaved area
We first created a new, larger layout with a series of wider steps closer to the house, making a more inviting and welcoming area. Our landscapers paved the area with coursed sandstone, renowned for its incredible strength and durability. The earthy tones and unique texture of the sandstone gives it a natural timeless look which blends sympathetically with the garden setting. The worn finish of the paving also makes the surface safer to walk on. The edge of the paving curves in line from the end of the house to visually link the areas.
Bullnosed edges enhance looks and safety
Bullnosing provides the garden step edges with a smooth, luxury appearance, which also enhance safety. Safety is an important factor to consider when renovating or building new steps and paved areas. Smooth, rounded bullnosed steps or edges means there won’t be any harshly cut, sharp edges to injure someone should they trip or fall. Our Artscape paving experts can advise on the best bespoke, professionally profiled bullnose edges to suit the needs of your garden project.
Replacing sloped lawns with plants
Our initial brief was to create a new planted border just around the paved area. However, after various discussions and designs, our clients decided to follow our recommendation to expand the planting, so it included the whole sloping bank. The planting design also included the addition of small trees to create vertical interest.
New nature-friendly planting
The planting features an easy-to-maintain mix of perennials, grasses, and shrubs. This adds softness to the seating area and brings an everchanging display of flowers, foliage, textures and colours to the garden. The plants will attract more birds and butterflies to the garden, and will be beneficial for insects too.
The lawn was doing very little to support a diversity of insects and birds. Replacing even a small section of lawn with perennial flowers, shrubs, grasses, wildflowers, or groundcovers will benefit nature and wildlife. As well as supporting greater biodiversity, plants are more environmentally friendly than maintaining a lawn. Lawns are drought tolerant and will recover even if the grass has turned brown and patchy in a heatwave. But to keep the lawn looking lush, green, and beautiful in a hot, dry spell will require constant and wasteful watering.
The planting is informal and includes grasses, taking inspiration from the fields opposite. Ornamental grasses soften the scheme and bring movement to the garden as they shimmer in the slightest of breezes. Grasses are easy to grow and require little ongoing care. The main maintenance task is to cut the planting back in spring ready for the new growth to come through.
To keep the whole project within our client’s budget, we retained the existing walls, simply carrying out some small repairs and modifications where necessary. We were also able to add stunning new atmospheric lighting to the older existing lighting circuit to illuminate the area at night.

For the past several years, Buffum Homes has proudly featured Parade Homes within our own developments, and each year they have been a tremendous success. The Spring 2026 Parade of Homes was no exception. This year, we showcased our Sydney floor plan, one of Buffum Homes’ most popular 1.5-story home designs. Time and time again, homeowners are drawn to this plan because of its thoughtful layout, functional design, and ability to be customized to fit a variety of lifestyles.
From the moment visitors arrived, this home made a statement. Its striking modern exterior immediately stood out within the development and offered exceptional curb appeal. The design team selected beautiful masonry accents that perfectly complemented the home’s color palette, creating a sophisticated and welcoming first impression. Every exterior detail was intentionally chosen to enhance the architecture and showcase the home’s unique character.
Upon entry to this home, guests are welcomed through impressive double front doors that lead into a warm and inviting foyer. Immediately beyond, the stunning two-story great room creates a grand first impression. An overlooking loft from the second floor enhances the open feel of the space while allowing an abundance of natural daylight to pour throughout the home. A beautiful masonry fireplace chase serves as the focal point of the room, adding warmth, texture, and character to the heart of the home.
Just off the foyer is a private office featuring a thoughtfully designed custom built-in, creating the perfect space for working from home, studying, or staying organized. The attention to detail found throughout this space is a great example of the craftsmanship that Buffum Homes is known for.
Tucked away off the main living area is the primary suite, a comfortable retreat designed with both beauty and functionality in mind. The bedroom features a stunning tray ceiling accented with white oak detailing, creating a warm and sophisticated atmosphere. The primary bathroom includes a custom tiled shower, private water closet, dual-sink vanity, and a spacious walk-in closet. Every element was carefully considered to maximize both comfort and everyday convenience.
Buffum Homes has become known for incorporating unique trim details throughout our homes, and this Parade Home was certainly no exception. From feature walls and ceiling treatments to custom built-ins and carefully crafted millwork, thoughtful details can be found around every corner.
The great room flows seamlessly into the dining area and spacious U-shaped kitchen, creating an ideal layout for entertaining and everyday living. This updated version of the Sydney floor plan features a massive walk-in pantry with abundant shelving and countertop space, providing exceptional storage and organization. Within the kitchen, a stunning custom hood vent serves as a beautiful statement piece while built-in nooks offer convenient storage for cooking oils, spices, and other kitchen essentials.
Just beyond the kitchen, the mudroom provides a practical transition space from the garage into the home. Complete with custom built-in lockers, a convenient half bath, and a large laundry room, this area was designed to keep daily life organized and efficient. The home also features a spacious three-stall garage, offering plenty of room for vehicles, storage, and recreational equipment.
Spanning roughly 1,500 square feet, the main floor was thoughtfully designed to maximize functionality while maintaining an open and inviting feel. Every space serves a purpose while still providing the custom details and architectural features that make this home stand out.
Ascending to the second floor, homeowners are welcomed by a spacious open loft overlooking the great room below. This versatile area provides additional living space and can be customized to fit a variety of needs. Whether used as a play area for children or grandchildren, a reading nook, a homework station, or simply a secondary gathering space, the loft adds both functionality and character to the home while maintaining a connection to the main living areas below.
Also located on the second floor are three additional bedrooms and a full bathroom, providing plenty of room for family members and guests. The thoughtful layout allows for privacy while still keeping everyone connected through the open loft space.
With approximately 1,000 square feet on the upper level, the second floor complements the main level perfectly while adding flexibility for growing families and changing needs over time.
The lower level offers just under 1,100 square feet of future finish potential, providing homeowners with the flexibility to expand their living space as their needs evolve. Thoughtfully designed and well laid out, the basement is ready to accommodate a variety of future uses while maintaining excellent flow and functionality.
The available space is ideal for adding two future bedrooms, a spacious family room, and a future full bathroom, making it perfect for growing families, hosting guests, or creating additional recreational space. Even with these future living areas, there is still plenty of room remaining for storage, ensuring homeowners have ample space for seasonal items, hobbies, and household essentials.
One of the greatest advantages of the Sydney floor plan is its ability to grow alongside its homeowners. While the home already offers approximately 2,500 square feet of beautifully finished above-grade living space, completing the lower level would bring the total finished living area to over 3,600 square feet. This creates a truly expansive home that provides exceptional flexibility, comfort, and long-term value.
In its current configuration, this home offers 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and approximately 2,500 square feet above grade. With a future lower level finish, homeowners have the opportunity to expand to 6 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, and over 3,600 square feet of finished living space. The flexibility built into this design is one of the many reasons the Sydney continues to be one of our most requested floor plans.
This home was filled with thoughtful details and custom touches throughout. From the carefully selected finishes and trim work to the intentional layout decisions, every aspect of the home was designed to maximize space, natural light, and everyday functionality. The result is a home that not only looks beautiful but also lives exceptionally well for years to come.
It was a pleasure featuring this home in the Parade of Homes and welcoming so many visitors through its doors. We always enjoy the opportunity to showcase our craftsmanship, creativity, and attention to detail while sharing the quality that Buffum Homes brings to every project throughout West Michigan.
As you browse through the photos below, we hope you’ll find inspiration for your own future home and discover ideas that fit your lifestyle and vision. Whether it is a favorite finish, layout feature, built-in detail, or design element, this home is a great example of how personalized a Buffum Home can be.
When you’re ready to begin your custom home journey, we’d love to help create a customized version of the Sydney floor plan tailored specifically to your family’s needs, style, and goals. We can’t wait to help bring your dream home to life.

My clients approached me with a building that had become run down over the years they were hoping to transform into a home office. The plaster walls and ceilings were cracking badly, the trim work was patchy, and there was an awkward flow to the second floor due to weird stairs in the back hallway.
There were a ton of amazing elements to the building as well (that were an absolute must to maintain) like the beautiful main staircase, existing marble fireplace mantel and the double set of interior entry doors with a frosted glass design transom above.
The extent of the construction on the interior included extensive demolition. Everything came down except for most of the interior walls and the second floor ceilings. We put in all brand new HVAC, electrical and plumbing. Blow-in-Blanket insulation was installed in all the perimeter walls, new drywall, trim, doors and flooring. The front existing windows were refinished. The exterior windows were replaced with vinyl windows, but the shape and sash locations were maintained in order to maintain the architectural integrity of the original windows.
Exterior work included a new front porch. The side porch was refaced to match the front and both porches received new stamped concrete steps and platform. A new stamped concrete walkway from the street was put in as well. The building had a few doors that weren't being used anymore at the side and back. They were covered up with new Cape Cod siding to match the exterior window color.
Find the right local pro for your project

This paving and planting scheme features new hard landscaping elements and a new planting scheme. Artscape was initially briefed to extend and enhance the patio in the garden of a lovely home in the village of Cookham Dean in Berkshire. Our clients wanted to increase the size of the paved area so they could use it more frequently for relaxing and dining in the sun during the day. As well as increasing its size and practicality, they wanted the terrace to look and feel more inviting. The existing site was a mixture of brick paving, which was slippery underfoot, and tired concrete crazy paving. The patio also had stone retaining walls surrounded by sloped lawns and a few poorly maintained and mismatched shrubs.
Redesigned and repaved area
We first created a new, larger layout with a series of wider steps closer to the house, making a more inviting and welcoming area. Our landscapers paved the area with coursed sandstone, renowned for its incredible strength and durability. The earthy tones and unique texture of the sandstone gives it a natural timeless look which blends sympathetically with the garden setting. The worn finish of the paving also makes the surface safer to walk on. The edge of the paving curves in line from the end of the house to visually link the areas.
Bullnosed edges enhance looks and safety
Bullnosing provides the garden step edges with a smooth, luxury appearance, which also enhance safety. Safety is an important factor to consider when renovating or building new steps and paved areas. Smooth, rounded bullnosed steps or edges means there won’t be any harshly cut, sharp edges to injure someone should they trip or fall. Our Artscape paving experts can advise on the best bespoke, professionally profiled bullnose edges to suit the needs of your garden project.
Replacing sloped lawns with plants
Our initial brief was to create a new planted border just around the paved area. However, after various discussions and designs, our clients decided to follow our recommendation to expand the planting, so it included the whole sloping bank. The planting design also included the addition of small trees to create vertical interest.
New nature-friendly planting
The planting features an easy-to-maintain mix of perennials, grasses, and shrubs. This adds softness to the seating area and brings an everchanging display of flowers, foliage, textures and colours to the garden. The plants will attract more birds and butterflies to the garden, and will be beneficial for insects too.
The lawn was doing very little to support a diversity of insects and birds. Replacing even a small section of lawn with perennial flowers, shrubs, grasses, wildflowers, or groundcovers will benefit nature and wildlife. As well as supporting greater biodiversity, plants are more environmentally friendly than maintaining a lawn. Lawns are drought tolerant and will recover even if the grass has turned brown and patchy in a heatwave. But to keep the lawn looking lush, green, and beautiful in a hot, dry spell will require constant and wasteful watering.
The planting is informal and includes grasses, taking inspiration from the fields opposite. Ornamental grasses soften the scheme and bring movement to the garden as they shimmer in the slightest of breezes. Grasses are easy to grow and require little ongoing care. The main maintenance task is to cut the planting back in spring ready for the new growth to come through.
To keep the whole project within our client’s budget, we retained the existing walls, simply carrying out some small repairs and modifications where necessary. We were also able to add stunning new atmospheric lighting to the older existing lighting circuit to illuminate the area at night.

For the past several years, Buffum Homes has proudly featured Parade Homes within our own developments, and each year they have been a tremendous success. The Spring 2026 Parade of Homes was no exception. This year, we showcased our Sydney floor plan, one of Buffum Homes’ most popular 1.5-story home designs. Time and time again, homeowners are drawn to this plan because of its thoughtful layout, functional design, and ability to be customized to fit a variety of lifestyles.
From the moment visitors arrived, this home made a statement. Its striking modern exterior immediately stood out within the development and offered exceptional curb appeal. The design team selected beautiful masonry accents that perfectly complemented the home’s color palette, creating a sophisticated and welcoming first impression. Every exterior detail was intentionally chosen to enhance the architecture and showcase the home’s unique character.
Upon entry to this home, guests are welcomed through impressive double front doors that lead into a warm and inviting foyer. Immediately beyond, the stunning two-story great room creates a grand first impression. An overlooking loft from the second floor enhances the open feel of the space while allowing an abundance of natural daylight to pour throughout the home. A beautiful masonry fireplace chase serves as the focal point of the room, adding warmth, texture, and character to the heart of the home.
Just off the foyer is a private office featuring a thoughtfully designed custom built-in, creating the perfect space for working from home, studying, or staying organized. The attention to detail found throughout this space is a great example of the craftsmanship that Buffum Homes is known for.
Tucked away off the main living area is the primary suite, a comfortable retreat designed with both beauty and functionality in mind. The bedroom features a stunning tray ceiling accented with white oak detailing, creating a warm and sophisticated atmosphere. The primary bathroom includes a custom tiled shower, private water closet, dual-sink vanity, and a spacious walk-in closet. Every element was carefully considered to maximize both comfort and everyday convenience.
Buffum Homes has become known for incorporating unique trim details throughout our homes, and this Parade Home was certainly no exception. From feature walls and ceiling treatments to custom built-ins and carefully crafted millwork, thoughtful details can be found around every corner.
The great room flows seamlessly into the dining area and spacious U-shaped kitchen, creating an ideal layout for entertaining and everyday living. This updated version of the Sydney floor plan features a massive walk-in pantry with abundant shelving and countertop space, providing exceptional storage and organization. Within the kitchen, a stunning custom hood vent serves as a beautiful statement piece while built-in nooks offer convenient storage for cooking oils, spices, and other kitchen essentials.
Just beyond the kitchen, the mudroom provides a practical transition space from the garage into the home. Complete with custom built-in lockers, a convenient half bath, and a large laundry room, this area was designed to keep daily life organized and efficient. The home also features a spacious three-stall garage, offering plenty of room for vehicles, storage, and recreational equipment.
Spanning roughly 1,500 square feet, the main floor was thoughtfully designed to maximize functionality while maintaining an open and inviting feel. Every space serves a purpose while still providing the custom details and architectural features that make this home stand out.
Ascending to the second floor, homeowners are welcomed by a spacious open loft overlooking the great room below. This versatile area provides additional living space and can be customized to fit a variety of needs. Whether used as a play area for children or grandchildren, a reading nook, a homework station, or simply a secondary gathering space, the loft adds both functionality and character to the home while maintaining a connection to the main living areas below.
Also located on the second floor are three additional bedrooms and a full bathroom, providing plenty of room for family members and guests. The thoughtful layout allows for privacy while still keeping everyone connected through the open loft space.
With approximately 1,000 square feet on the upper level, the second floor complements the main level perfectly while adding flexibility for growing families and changing needs over time.
The lower level offers just under 1,100 square feet of future finish potential, providing homeowners with the flexibility to expand their living space as their needs evolve. Thoughtfully designed and well laid out, the basement is ready to accommodate a variety of future uses while maintaining excellent flow and functionality.
The available space is ideal for adding two future bedrooms, a spacious family room, and a future full bathroom, making it perfect for growing families, hosting guests, or creating additional recreational space. Even with these future living areas, there is still plenty of room remaining for storage, ensuring homeowners have ample space for seasonal items, hobbies, and household essentials.
One of the greatest advantages of the Sydney floor plan is its ability to grow alongside its homeowners. While the home already offers approximately 2,500 square feet of beautifully finished above-grade living space, completing the lower level would bring the total finished living area to over 3,600 square feet. This creates a truly expansive home that provides exceptional flexibility, comfort, and long-term value.
In its current configuration, this home offers 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and approximately 2,500 square feet above grade. With a future lower level finish, homeowners have the opportunity to expand to 6 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, and over 3,600 square feet of finished living space. The flexibility built into this design is one of the many reasons the Sydney continues to be one of our most requested floor plans.
This home was filled with thoughtful details and custom touches throughout. From the carefully selected finishes and trim work to the intentional layout decisions, every aspect of the home was designed to maximize space, natural light, and everyday functionality. The result is a home that not only looks beautiful but also lives exceptionally well for years to come.
It was a pleasure featuring this home in the Parade of Homes and welcoming so many visitors through its doors. We always enjoy the opportunity to showcase our craftsmanship, creativity, and attention to detail while sharing the quality that Buffum Homes brings to every project throughout West Michigan.
As you browse through the photos below, we hope you’ll find inspiration for your own future home and discover ideas that fit your lifestyle and vision. Whether it is a favorite finish, layout feature, built-in detail, or design element, this home is a great example of how personalized a Buffum Home can be.
When you’re ready to begin your custom home journey, we’d love to help create a customized version of the Sydney floor plan tailored specifically to your family’s needs, style, and goals. We can’t wait to help bring your dream home to life.

My clients approached me with a building that had become run down over the years they were hoping to transform into a home office. The plaster walls and ceilings were cracking badly, the trim work was patchy, and there was an awkward flow to the second floor due to weird stairs in the back hallway.
There were a ton of amazing elements to the building as well (that were an absolute must to maintain) like the beautiful main staircase, existing marble fireplace mantel and the double set of interior entry doors with a frosted glass design transom above.
The extent of the construction on the interior included extensive demolition. Everything came down except for most of the interior walls and the second floor ceilings. We put in all brand new HVAC, electrical and plumbing. Blow-in-Blanket insulation was installed in all the perimeter walls, new drywall, trim, doors and flooring. The front existing windows were refinished. The exterior windows were replaced with vinyl windows, but the shape and sash locations were maintained in order to maintain the architectural integrity of the original windows.
Exterior work included a new front porch. The side porch was refaced to match the front and both porches received new stamped concrete steps and platform. A new stamped concrete walkway from the street was put in as well. The building had a few doors that weren't being used anymore at the side and back. They were covered up with new Cape Cod siding to match the exterior window color.

This paving and planting scheme features new hard landscaping elements and a new planting scheme. Artscape was initially briefed to extend and enhance the patio in the garden of a lovely home in the village of Cookham Dean in Berkshire. Our clients wanted to increase the size of the paved area so they could use it more frequently for relaxing and dining in the sun during the day. As well as increasing its size and practicality, they wanted the terrace to look and feel more inviting. The existing site was a mixture of brick paving, which was slippery underfoot, and tired concrete crazy paving. The patio also had stone retaining walls surrounded by sloped lawns and a few poorly maintained and mismatched shrubs.
Redesigned and repaved area
We first created a new, larger layout with a series of wider steps closer to the house, making a more inviting and welcoming area. Our landscapers paved the area with coursed sandstone, renowned for its incredible strength and durability. The earthy tones and unique texture of the sandstone gives it a natural timeless look which blends sympathetically with the garden setting. The worn finish of the paving also makes the surface safer to walk on. The edge of the paving curves in line from the end of the house to visually link the areas.
Bullnosed edges enhance looks and safety
Bullnosing provides the garden step edges with a smooth, luxury appearance, which also enhance safety. Safety is an important factor to consider when renovating or building new steps and paved areas. Smooth, rounded bullnosed steps or edges means there won’t be any harshly cut, sharp edges to injure someone should they trip or fall. Our Artscape paving experts can advise on the best bespoke, professionally profiled bullnose edges to suit the needs of your garden project.
Replacing sloped lawns with plants
Our initial brief was to create a new planted border just around the paved area. However, after various discussions and designs, our clients decided to follow our recommendation to expand the planting, so it included the whole sloping bank. The planting design also included the addition of small trees to create vertical interest.
New nature-friendly planting
The planting features an easy-to-maintain mix of perennials, grasses, and shrubs. This adds softness to the seating area and brings an everchanging display of flowers, foliage, textures and colours to the garden. The plants will attract more birds and butterflies to the garden, and will be beneficial for insects too.
The lawn was doing very little to support a diversity of insects and birds. Replacing even a small section of lawn with perennial flowers, shrubs, grasses, wildflowers, or groundcovers will benefit nature and wildlife. As well as supporting greater biodiversity, plants are more environmentally friendly than maintaining a lawn. Lawns are drought tolerant and will recover even if the grass has turned brown and patchy in a heatwave. But to keep the lawn looking lush, green, and beautiful in a hot, dry spell will require constant and wasteful watering.
The planting is informal and includes grasses, taking inspiration from the fields opposite. Ornamental grasses soften the scheme and bring movement to the garden as they shimmer in the slightest of breezes. Grasses are easy to grow and require little ongoing care. The main maintenance task is to cut the planting back in spring ready for the new growth to come through.
To keep the whole project within our client’s budget, we retained the existing walls, simply carrying out some small repairs and modifications where necessary. We were also able to add stunning new atmospheric lighting to the older existing lighting circuit to illuminate the area at night.

Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Hope Restoration & General Contracting
Columbus Design-Build, Kitchen & Bath Remodeling, Historic Renovations

It’s no surprise these Hanover clients reached out to Cathy and Ed of Renovisions for design and build services as they wanted a local professional bath specialist to turn their plain builder-grade bath into a luxurious handicapped accessible master bath.
Renovisions had safety and universal design in mind while creating this customized two-person super shower and well-appointed master bath so their clients could escape to a special place to relax and energize their senses while also helping to conserve time and water as it is used simultaneously by them.
This completely water proofed spacious 4’x8’ walk-in curb-less shower with lineal drain system and larger format porcelain tiles was a must have for our senior client –with larger tiles there are less grout lines, easier to clean and easier to maneuver using a walker to enter and exit the master bath.
Renovisions collaborated with their clients to design a spa-like bath with several amenities and added conveniences with safety considerations. The bench seat that spans the width of the wall was a great addition to the shower. It’s a comfortable place to sit down and stretch out and also to keep warm as electric mesh warming materials were used along with a programmable thermostat to keep these homeowners toasty and cozy!
Careful attention to all of the details in this master suite created a peaceful and elegant environment that, simply put, feels divine. Adding details such as the warming towel rack, mosaic tiled shower niche, shiny polished chrome decorative safety grab bars that also serve as towel racks and a towel rack inside the shower area added a measure of style. A stately framed mirror over the pedestal sink matches the warm white painted finish of the linen storage cabinetry that provides functionality and good looks to this space. Pull-down safety grab bars on either side of the comfort height high-efficiency toilet was essential to keep safety as a top priority.
Water, water everywhere for this well deserving couple – multiple shower heads enhances the bathing experience for our client with mobility issues as 54 soft sprays from each wall jet provide a soothing and cleansing effect – a great choice because they do not require gripping and manipulating handles yet provide a sleek look with easy cleaning. The thermostatic valve maintains desired water temperature and volume controls allows the bather to utilize the adjustable hand-held shower on a slide-bar- an ideal fixture to shower and spray down shower area when done.
A beautiful, frameless clear glass enclosure maintains a clean, open look without taking away from the stunning and richly grained marble-look tiles and decorative elements inside the shower. In addition to its therapeutic value, this shower is truly a design focal point of the master bath with striking tile work, beautiful chrome fixtures including several safety grab bars adding aesthetic value as well as safety benefits.

My clients approached me with a building that had become run down over the years they were hoping to transform into a home office. The plaster walls and ceilings were cracking badly, the trim work was patchy, and there was an awkward flow to the second floor due to weird stairs in the back hallway.
There were a ton of amazing elements to the building as well (that were an absolute must to maintain) like the beautiful main staircase, existing marble fireplace mantel and the double set of interior entry doors with a frosted glass design transom above.
The extent of the construction on the interior included extensive demolition. Everything came down except for most of the interior walls and the second floor ceilings. We put in all brand new HVAC, electrical and plumbing. Blow-in-Blanket insulation was installed in all the perimeter walls, new drywall, trim, doors and flooring. The front existing windows were refinished. The exterior windows were replaced with vinyl windows, but the shape and sash locations were maintained in order to maintain the architectural integrity of the original windows.
Exterior work included a new front porch. The side porch was refaced to match the front and both porches received new stamped concrete steps and platform. A new stamped concrete walkway from the street was put in as well. The building had a few doors that weren't being used anymore at the side and back. They were covered up with new Cape Cod siding to match the exterior window color.

This basement area was a complete renovation, down to the studs. We had walls removed, and reinvented the space to include a theatre room, a gym, a bathroom complete with steam shower, a lounge area as well as the recreation and bar area.
The whole area maintains the elegance and colour schemes of the upper levels, but was carefully designed to accommodate the husband’s collection of sports memorabilia and allow lots of room for billiards or watching the game with friends.
The limestone wall behind the bar carries over to a wall in the gym as well as the fireplaces on the basement and main level great room.
We used smooth granite on the main bar counter, while a leathered version with a chiseled edge accents the seating bar. Custom cabinets, oil rubbed bronze hardware, high-end faucets, along with a hammered copper sink maintain the luxury of the rest of the home. Even the billiards table was carefully chosen to maintain a furniture look in keeping with the other pieces.
Photo by Graham Twomey

My clients approached me with a building that had become run down over the years they were hoping to transform into a home office. The plaster walls and ceilings were cracking badly, the trim work was patchy, and there was an awkward flow to the second floor due to weird stairs in the back hallway.
There were a ton of amazing elements to the building as well (that were an absolute must to maintain) like the beautiful main staircase, existing marble fireplace mantel and the double set of interior entry doors with a frosted glass design transom above.
The extent of the construction on the interior included extensive demolition. Everything came down except for most of the interior walls and the second floor ceilings. We put in all brand new HVAC, electrical and plumbing. Blow-in-Blanket insulation was installed in all the perimeter walls, new drywall, trim, doors and flooring. The front existing windows were refinished. The exterior windows were replaced with vinyl windows, but the shape and sash locations were maintained in order to maintain the architectural integrity of the original windows.
Exterior work included a new front porch. The side porch was refaced to match the front and both porches received new stamped concrete steps and platform. A new stamped concrete walkway from the street was put in as well. The building had a few doors that weren't being used anymore at the side and back. They were covered up with new Cape Cod siding to match the exterior window color.

It’s no surprise these Hanover clients reached out to Cathy and Ed of Renovisions for design and build services as they wanted a local professional bath specialist to turn their plain builder-grade bath into a luxurious handicapped accessible master bath.
Renovisions had safety and universal design in mind while creating this customized two-person super shower and well-appointed master bath so their clients could escape to a special place to relax and energize their senses while also helping to conserve time and water as it is used simultaneously by them.
This completely water proofed spacious 4’x8’ walk-in curb-less shower with lineal drain system and larger format porcelain tiles was a must have for our senior client –with larger tiles there are less grout lines, easier to clean and easier to maneuver using a walker to enter and exit the master bath.
Renovisions collaborated with their clients to design a spa-like bath with several amenities and added conveniences with safety considerations. The bench seat that spans the width of the wall was a great addition to the shower. It’s a comfortable place to sit down and stretch out and also to keep warm as electric mesh warming materials were used along with a programmable thermostat to keep these homeowners toasty and cozy!
Careful attention to all of the details in this master suite created a peaceful and elegant environment that, simply put, feels divine. Adding details such as the warming towel rack, mosaic tiled shower niche, shiny polished chrome decorative safety grab bars that also serve as towel racks and a towel rack inside the shower area added a measure of style. A stately framed mirror over the pedestal sink matches the warm white painted finish of the linen storage cabinetry that provides functionality and good looks to this space. Pull-down safety grab bars on either side of the comfort height high-efficiency toilet was essential to keep safety as a top priority.
Water, water everywhere for this well deserving couple – multiple shower heads enhances the bathing experience for our client with mobility issues as 54 soft sprays from each wall jet provide a soothing and cleansing effect – a great choice because they do not require gripping and manipulating handles yet provide a sleek look with easy cleaning. The thermostatic valve maintains desired water temperature and volume controls allows the bather to utilize the adjustable hand-held shower on a slide-bar- an ideal fixture to shower and spray down shower area when done.
A beautiful, frameless clear glass enclosure maintains a clean, open look without taking away from the stunning and richly grained marble-look tiles and decorative elements inside the shower. In addition to its therapeutic value, this shower is truly a design focal point of the master bath with striking tile work, beautiful chrome fixtures including several safety grab bars adding aesthetic value as well as safety benefits.

My clients approached me with a building that had become run down over the years they were hoping to transform into a home office. The plaster walls and ceilings were cracking badly, the trim work was patchy, and there was an awkward flow to the second floor due to weird stairs in the back hallway.
There were a ton of amazing elements to the building as well (that were an absolute must to maintain) like the beautiful main staircase, existing marble fireplace mantel and the double set of interior entry doors with a frosted glass design transom above.
The extent of the construction on the interior included extensive demolition. Everything came down except for most of the interior walls and the second floor ceilings. We put in all brand new HVAC, electrical and plumbing. Blow-in-Blanket insulation was installed in all the perimeter walls, new drywall, trim, doors and flooring. The front existing windows were refinished. The exterior windows were replaced with vinyl windows, but the shape and sash locations were maintained in order to maintain the architectural integrity of the original windows.
Exterior work included a new front porch. The side porch was refaced to match the front and both porches received new stamped concrete steps and platform. A new stamped concrete walkway from the street was put in as well. The building had a few doors that weren't being used anymore at the side and back. They were covered up with new Cape Cod siding to match the exterior window color.

My clients approached me with a building that had become run down over the years they were hoping to transform into a home office. The plaster walls and ceilings were cracking badly, the trim work was patchy, and there was an awkward flow to the second floor due to weird stairs in the back hallway.
There were a ton of amazing elements to the building as well (that were an absolute must to maintain) like the beautiful main staircase, existing marble fireplace mantel and the double set of interior entry doors with a frosted glass design transom above.
The extent of the construction on the interior included extensive demolition. Everything came down except for most of the interior walls and the second floor ceilings. We put in all brand new HVAC, electrical and plumbing. Blow-in-Blanket insulation was installed in all the perimeter walls, new drywall, trim, doors and flooring. The front existing windows were refinished. The exterior windows were replaced with vinyl windows, but the shape and sash locations were maintained in order to maintain the architectural integrity of the original windows.
Exterior work included a new front porch. The side porch was refaced to match the front and both porches received new stamped concrete steps and platform. A new stamped concrete walkway from the street was put in as well. The building had a few doors that weren't being used anymore at the side and back. They were covered up with new Cape Cod siding to match the exterior window color.

My clients approached me with a building that had become run down over the years they were hoping to transform into a home office. The plaster walls and ceilings were cracking badly, the trim work was patchy, and there was an awkward flow to the second floor due to weird stairs in the back hallway.
There were a ton of amazing elements to the building as well (that were an absolute must to maintain) like the beautiful main staircase, existing marble fireplace mantel and the double set of interior entry doors with a frosted glass design transom above.
The extent of the construction on the interior included extensive demolition. Everything came down except for most of the interior walls and the second floor ceilings. We put in all brand new HVAC, electrical and plumbing. Blow-in-Blanket insulation was installed in all the perimeter walls, new drywall, trim, doors and flooring. The front existing windows were refinished. The exterior windows were replaced with vinyl windows, but the shape and sash locations were maintained in order to maintain the architectural integrity of the original windows.
Exterior work included a new front porch. The side porch was refaced to match the front and both porches received new stamped concrete steps and platform. A new stamped concrete walkway from the street was put in as well. The building had a few doors that weren't being used anymore at the side and back. They were covered up with new Cape Cod siding to match the exterior window color.

My clients approached me with a building that had become run down over the years they were hoping to transform into a home office. The plaster walls and ceilings were cracking badly, the trim work was patchy, and there was an awkward flow to the second floor due to weird stairs in the back hallway.
There were a ton of amazing elements to the building as well (that were an absolute must to maintain) like the beautiful main staircase, existing marble fireplace mantel and the double set of interior entry doors with a frosted glass design transom above.
The extent of the construction on the interior included extensive demolition. Everything came down except for most of the interior walls and the second floor ceilings. We put in all brand new HVAC, electrical and plumbing. Blow-in-Blanket insulation was installed in all the perimeter walls, new drywall, trim, doors and flooring. The front existing windows were refinished. The exterior windows were replaced with vinyl windows, but the shape and sash locations were maintained in order to maintain the architectural integrity of the original windows.
Exterior work included a new front porch. The side porch was refaced to match the front and both porches received new stamped concrete steps and platform. A new stamped concrete walkway from the street was put in as well. The building had a few doors that weren't being used anymore at the side and back. They were covered up with new Cape Cod siding to match the exterior window color.

Here at Countryside Industries, we offer two professional services that are crucial to the success of your business: landscape management and snow removal. We work individually with you to design a plan that will create a beautiful landscape in the spring and summer months, and then continue to care for your property with maintenance and snow removal in the fall and winter months. Contact us for more information.
Nothing defines the look and feel of your property quite like a great looking, well-maintained landscape. Appropriate and well-balanced landscaping reflects the personality of your property and the identity of your company. Designing and implementing a beautiful landscape requires knowledge, expertise, and time – which many individuals, associations, and businesses simply don’t have. Countryside Industries will bring together a unique landscape that you can be proud of. Let Countryside landscape your property today.
Being that we are a premium snow removal company, we offer complete snow removal services including snow plowing, snow hauling, de-icing, ice control, shoveling, sidewalk clearing, and maintenance. In order to achieve this, we maintain an extensive fleet of commercial-grade snowplows, snow pushers, and front-end loaders. We utilize top of the line de-icing products and facilitate complete winter services for corporate offices, retail stores, industrial properties, hospitals, health care facilities, and more.
To learn more about one of the best landscaping companies as well as one of the top snow removal companies in Lake County, IL, call our team today at 847-526-1909 or email us at info@countrysideindustries.com.

It’s no surprise these Hanover clients reached out to Cathy and Ed of Renovisions for design and build services as they wanted a local professional bath specialist to turn their plain builder-grade bath into a luxurious handicapped accessible master bath.
Renovisions had safety and universal design in mind while creating this customized two-person super shower and well-appointed master bath so their clients could escape to a special place to relax and energize their senses while also helping to conserve time and water as it is used simultaneously by them.
This completely water proofed spacious 4’x8’ walk-in curb-less shower with lineal drain system and larger format porcelain tiles was a must have for our senior client –with larger tiles there are less grout lines, easier to clean and easier to maneuver using a walker to enter and exit the master bath.
Renovisions collaborated with their clients to design a spa-like bath with several amenities and added conveniences with safety considerations. The bench seat that spans the width of the wall was a great addition to the shower. It’s a comfortable place to sit down and stretch out and also to keep warm as electric mesh warming materials were used along with a programmable thermostat to keep these homeowners toasty and cozy!
Careful attention to all of the details in this master suite created a peaceful and elegant environment that, simply put, feels divine. Adding details such as the warming towel rack, mosaic tiled shower niche, shiny polished chrome decorative safety grab bars that also serve as towel racks and a towel rack inside the shower area added a measure of style. A stately framed mirror over the pedestal sink matches the warm white painted finish of the linen storage cabinetry that provides functionality and good looks to this space. Pull-down safety grab bars on either side of the comfort height high-efficiency toilet was essential to keep safety as a top priority.
Water, water everywhere for this well deserving couple – multiple shower heads enhances the bathing experience for our client with mobility issues as 54 soft sprays from each wall jet provide a soothing and cleansing effect – a great choice because they do not require gripping and manipulating handles yet provide a sleek look with easy cleaning. The thermostatic valve maintains desired water temperature and volume controls allows the bather to utilize the adjustable hand-held shower on a slide-bar- an ideal fixture to shower and spray down shower area when done.
A beautiful, frameless clear glass enclosure maintains a clean, open look without taking away from the stunning and richly grained marble-look tiles and decorative elements inside the shower. In addition to its therapeutic value, this shower is truly a design focal point of the master bath with striking tile work, beautiful chrome fixtures including several safety grab bars adding aesthetic value as well as safety benefits.

My clients approached me with a building that had become run down over the years they were hoping to transform into a home office. The plaster walls and ceilings were cracking badly, the trim work was patchy, and there was an awkward flow to the second floor due to weird stairs in the back hallway.
There were a ton of amazing elements to the building as well (that were an absolute must to maintain) like the beautiful main staircase, existing marble fireplace mantel and the double set of interior entry doors with a frosted glass design transom above.
The extent of the construction on the interior included extensive demolition. Everything came down except for most of the interior walls and the second floor ceilings. We put in all brand new HVAC, electrical and plumbing. Blow-in-Blanket insulation was installed in all the perimeter walls, new drywall, trim, doors and flooring. The front existing windows were refinished. The exterior windows were replaced with vinyl windows, but the shape and sash locations were maintained in order to maintain the architectural integrity of the original windows.
Exterior work included a new front porch. The side porch was refaced to match the front and both porches received new stamped concrete steps and platform. A new stamped concrete walkway from the street was put in as well. The building had a few doors that weren't being used anymore at the side and back. They were covered up with new Cape Cod siding to match the exterior window color.

This paving and planting scheme features new hard landscaping elements and a new planting scheme. Artscape was initially briefed to extend and enhance the patio in the garden of a lovely home in the village of Cookham Dean in Berkshire. Our clients wanted to increase the size of the paved area so they could use it more frequently for relaxing and dining in the sun during the day. As well as increasing its size and practicality, they wanted the terrace to look and feel more inviting. The existing site was a mixture of brick paving, which was slippery underfoot, and tired concrete crazy paving. The patio also had stone retaining walls surrounded by sloped lawns and a few poorly maintained and mismatched shrubs.
Redesigned and repaved area
We first created a new, larger layout with a series of wider steps closer to the house, making a more inviting and welcoming area. Our landscapers paved the area with coursed sandstone, renowned for its incredible strength and durability. The earthy tones and unique texture of the sandstone gives it a natural timeless look which blends sympathetically with the garden setting. The worn finish of the paving also makes the surface safer to walk on. The edge of the paving curves in line from the end of the house to visually link the areas.
Bullnosed edges enhance looks and safety
Bullnosing provides the garden step edges with a smooth, luxury appearance, which also enhance safety. Safety is an important factor to consider when renovating or building new steps and paved areas. Smooth, rounded bullnosed steps or edges means there won’t be any harshly cut, sharp edges to injure someone should they trip or fall. Our Artscape paving experts can advise on the best bespoke, professionally profiled bullnose edges to suit the needs of your garden project.
Replacing sloped lawns with plants
Our initial brief was to create a new planted border just around the paved area. However, after various discussions and designs, our clients decided to follow our recommendation to expand the planting, so it included the whole sloping bank. The planting design also included the addition of small trees to create vertical interest.
New nature-friendly planting
The planting features an easy-to-maintain mix of perennials, grasses, and shrubs. This adds softness to the seating area and brings an everchanging display of flowers, foliage, textures and colours to the garden. The plants will attract more birds and butterflies to the garden, and will be beneficial for insects too.
The lawn was doing very little to support a diversity of insects and birds. Replacing even a small section of lawn with perennial flowers, shrubs, grasses, wildflowers, or groundcovers will benefit nature and wildlife. As well as supporting greater biodiversity, plants are more environmentally friendly than maintaining a lawn. Lawns are drought tolerant and will recover even if the grass has turned brown and patchy in a heatwave. But to keep the lawn looking lush, green, and beautiful in a hot, dry spell will require constant and wasteful watering.
The planting is informal and includes grasses, taking inspiration from the fields opposite. Ornamental grasses soften the scheme and bring movement to the garden as they shimmer in the slightest of breezes. Grasses are easy to grow and require little ongoing care. The main maintenance task is to cut the planting back in spring ready for the new growth to come through.
To keep the whole project within our client’s budget, we retained the existing walls, simply carrying out some small repairs and modifications where necessary. We were also able to add stunning new atmospheric lighting to the older existing lighting circuit to illuminate the area at night.
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