“Fashion is well known as a reliable reflection of cultural trends and historical events. On a personal level, it has become my creative vehicle for exploring the emotional roller coaster of life. My inspiration arose from contemplating the dichotomy between the perception of women as fragile, delicate creatures, and the reality that most women are defined by resiliency and steely resolve. I employ a juxtaposition of extremes such as lightness and gravity, suppleness and intransigence, to convey feminine sensibilities. Crafted of steel and embellished with flourishes of wire mesh, screening, cut-outs and bits of found objects, the dresses are at once both elegant and imposing. I like the duplicitous nature of steel which can be manipulated to appear feminine and soft while actually maintaining its strength and rigidity—an expression in contrasts and complements.” -Donna McCullough

The Flagstone slab is a mosaic of carefully sculpted stone which appears to be the work of a highly skilled stonework mason. Its natural stone look comes from its random pattern where no two stones seem to be alike. By manipulating the carvings on the surface of each unit, we have created a multitude of shapes and sizes without affecting the productivity of installation; granting you with all the glory of a natural-stone look without the exorbitant installation costs. Flagstone is part of the dry cast collection. Check out our website to shop the look! https://www.techo-bloc.com/shop/slabs/flagstone-60/

Manipulating the grades by adding different levels (upper and lower patios, raised spa. etc.) is one of the things we do to create a larger sense of space. Such gradations are not only attractive and spatially functional, but, when done correctly, they can make smaller yards appear considerably more expansive. www.deckandpatio.com

The Flagstone slab is a mosaic of carefully sculpted stone which appears to be the work of a highly skilled stonework mason. Its natural stone look comes from its random pattern where no two stones seem to be alike. By manipulating the carvings on the surface of each unit, we have created a multitude of shapes and sizes without affecting the productivity of installation; granting you with all the glory of a natural-stone look without the exorbitant installation costs. Flagstone is part of the dry cast collection. Check out our website to shop the look! https://www.techo-bloc.com/shop/slabs/flagstone-60/

This project was a part of the 2017 Decorators' Showhouse in Columbus, Ohio. Twelve designers each created a room within the Columbus Museum of Art, making this the first showhouse to take place within a museum. Each designer was allowed to use a piece of artwork from the museum's collection in their space. The intent of this design was to create a contemporary, gender-neutral nursery with touches of mid-century modern style. Mid-century modern design is sleek, simple, functional and bright. Here, the combination of vintage and contemporary furnishings and accessories all come together to create a space that is calm, yet inspires creative play. The artwork, California Landscape by Stanton Macdonald-Wright, sets this tone. His modern abstract, devoid of illustration uses blocks of color to create space and form. This idea of geometric abstracts is repeated throughout the design of the room. Interesting shapes that can be manipulated with eye or hand are very fitting for a nursery. This is a space where a child can dream and play, grow and learn, and also rest. It is a room that could evolve over time while continuing to inspire a child for many years. “I strive to divest my work of all anecdote and illustration and to purify it to the point where the emotions of the spectator will be wholly aesthetic, as when listening to good music…” - Stanton Macdonald-Wright, circa 1915 Photo Credit: Marshall Evan Photography Construction: Jameson Building Co.

"Palette and Zap depict an explosion of colour that developed out of painted and collaged forms combined with computer manipulation. So much of our visual experience now is rooted in the saturation of images via screen-based technology. My intention therefore, was to transform this visual experience of colour into a physical and tactile one via the beauty of the natural materials and their appeal to the sense of touch." Fiona Curran

Choice Landscapes LLC
Design ideas for a mid-sized rustic partial sun backyard brick formal garden in Seattle with no cover for spring.

This unique home on edge of downtown Calgary is a longer term project we had the privilege to design and implement. We were involved early in the extensive renovation process to provide input on design elements and help resolve logistical issues on the site. Among the many elements in the garden a large water feature was desired, in part to help mask traffic noise, as well as numerous areas to entertain, relax, and explore. Both large and dry-pack Rundlestone was utilized along with stamped concrete for much of the hardscaping. The slope was manipulated to construct the water feature which includes numerous falls, a stream, pond and bio-filter. Stucco walls were constructed on part of the property and river-stone walls were reconstructed to match the existing walls from the previous development. Extensive plantings throughout the grounds highlight and accent the hardscape and were designed for four seasons of interest.

This unique home on edge of downtown Calgary is a longer term project we had the privilege to design and implement. We were involved early in the extensive renovation process to provide input on design elements and help resolve logistical issues on the site. Among the many elements in the garden a large water feature was desired, in part to help mask traffic noise, as well as numerous areas to entertain, relax, and explore. Both large and dry-pack Rundlestone was utilized along with stamped concrete for much of the hardscaping. The slope was manipulated to construct the water feature which includes numerous falls, a stream, pond and bio-filter. Stucco walls were constructed on part of the property and river-stone walls were reconstructed to match the existing walls from the previous development. Extensive plantings throughout the grounds highlight and accent the hardscape and were designed for four seasons of interest.

Architect: Cheryl O'Brien Firm: C. O'Brien Architects Inc. Photo Credit: Lex Wainwright All images appearing in the C. O'Brien Architects Inc. web site are the exclusive property of Cheryl A. O'Brien and are protected under the United States and International Copyright laws. The images may not be reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without the written permission of Cheryl A. O'Brien. Use of any image as the basis for another photographic concept or illustration (digital, artist rendering or alike) is a violation of the United States and International Copyright laws. All images are copyrighted © 2001 - 2014 Cheryl A. O'Brien.

Dovetailed walnut shelf detail. This stand alone cabinet was designed to house stereo equipment. It features a 360 degree rotating top to allow access to the backs of stereo components and tall legs to stand over a subwoofer. Alaskan hemlock, dovetailed walnut and raw steel legs. The design can be manipulated to fit your exact needs!

This unique home on edge of downtown Calgary is a longer term project we had the privilege to design and implement. We were involved early in the extensive renovation process to provide input on design elements and help resolve logistical issues on the site. Among the many elements in the garden a large water feature was desired, in part to help mask traffic noise, as well as numerous areas to entertain, relax, and explore. Both large and dry-pack Rundlestone was utilized along with stamped concrete for much of the hardscaping. The slope was manipulated to construct the water feature which includes numerous falls, a stream, pond and bio-filter. Stucco walls were constructed on part of the property and river-stone walls were reconstructed to match the existing walls from the previous development. Extensive plantings throughout the grounds highlight and accent the hardscape and were designed for four seasons of interest.

Christope Chambre from France adopted Sri Lanka as her second home and found a 165 perch land with dense foliage opening out to ‘Paddy Fields and Tea Plantation’ to build his tropical villa. Set on a site sloping towards the Tea Cultivation and Paddy Field at its front, resulting in a majority of the site being part of the Tea Cultivation, this building follows a simple plan with a manipulation of cubic forms, rustic materials and the topography of the verdant green landscape. The building is designed to embrace the Natural Slope of the land rather than contend against it, by maintaining the existing slope and integrating the design to fit on the natural slope by means of retaining walls, ensuring minimal soil excavation and disturbance. Rather than having the building on stilts, the building rests on ground in the buildable area left, grounded and cascading with the natural slope of the site.

This stand alone cabinet was designed to house stereo equipment. It features a 360 degree rotating top to allow access to the backs of stereo components and tall legs to stand over a subwoofer. Alaskan hemlock, dovetailed walnut and raw steel legs. The design can be manipulated to fit your exact needs!

This stand alone cabinet was designed to house stereo equipment. It features a 360 degree rotating top to allow access to the backs of stereo components and tall legs to stand over a subwoofer. Alaskan hemlock, dovetailed walnut and raw steel legs. The design can be manipulated to fit your exact needs!

“Fashion is well known as a reliable reflection of cultural trends and historical events. On a personal level, it has become my creative vehicle for exploring the emotional roller coaster of life. My inspiration arose from contemplating the dichotomy between the perception of women as fragile, delicate creatures, and the reality that most women are defined by resiliency and steely resolve. I employ a juxtaposition of extremes such as lightness and gravity, suppleness and intransigence, to convey feminine sensibilities. Crafted of steel and embellished with flourishes of wire mesh, screening, cut-outs and bits of found objects, the dresses are at once both elegant and imposing. I like the duplicitous nature of steel which can be manipulated to appear feminine and soft while actually maintaining its strength and rigidity—an expression in contrasts and complements.” -Donna McCullough

This stand alone cabinet was designed to house stereo equipment. It features a 360 degree rotating top to allow access to the backs of stereo components and tall legs to stand over a subwoofer. Alaskan hemlock, dovetailed walnut and raw steel legs. The design can be manipulated to fit your exact needs!

Circulation Hallway designed as an Art Gallery. Polished concrete flooring and basalt tile columns provide accents and placement for wall art. Builder - Build Inc, Interior Design - Tate Studio Architects, Photography - Thompson Photographic.