Feng Shui dictated the orientation and functional layout of this 2 bed, 3 full bath apartment to harmonize with spiritual forces. The 1,600sf plan creates generous, open, and clutter-free spaces, as small, dark areas restrict the flow of positive energy. The den area can be separated from the main living/dining areas into a flex-bedroom with a series of 3 interlocked translucent sliding panels that span 26 feet. When not needed, the panels stack unobtrusively at the entry. A welcoming mask floats in a NE-facing niche at the central axis of the apartment to protect the occupants from evil spirits. © Francis Dzikowski

Photo Credits: Janis Nicolay
Inspiration for a small eclectic light wood floor and brown floor dining room remodel in Vancouver with gray walls

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.

Tips on how to hang the perfect gallery wall 1. Frame Arrangement: Lay out the frames on the floor to determine your desired composition. 2. Create paper cutouts of your frames: lay your frames out on paper, trace around the outside, and cut out the shapes. Note which cutout goes with which frame. 3. Locate hook location: Hold the wire taught and measure from the top edge to the center point of the wire. Make a mark on the cutout where the hook catches the wire. 4. Tape cutouts to the wall, with painters/masking tape, mimicking the arrangement on the floor. If you do not like how it looks on your wall, repeat step 1 and then skip to step 4. 5. Final details: Adjust cutouts until all pieces are lined up exactly as you like. 6. Hammer the hooks in where indicated on the paper, remove the cutouts, and hang frames. You should be left with the perfect gallery wall, no re-nailing or measuring needed.

These dryers are facing the most saturated area of the room.
Home design - traditional home design idea in DC Metro

Amazing ceiling we did for a client in New Canaan. A great example of ordinary to extraordinary. For this ceiling we used Fine Paints or Europe Brilliant Navy Blue applied by spray. Lots of prep work and masking involved but it was all worth it.

Huge tuscan freestanding desk medium tone wood floor and brown floor home office library photo in Houston with brown walls

Doug Kittle
Inspiration for a timeless home design remodel in Nashville

The home is situated on a hillside property that slopes about 25 from the back to the front, so we had a lot of grade to play with, in the design of the project. The majority of the slope of the backyard was handled by cutting into the slope and creating the 8-13 boulder cliffs across the back of the pool. Incorporated into these cliffs are such features as a grotto cave, with a waterfall over its entrance; an eight-foot tall slide, curving through its own cave; a seven-foot high diving precipice; and numerous waterfalls cascading down the face of the cliffs. Meandering pathways of Oklahoma flagstone lead the way, up the hillside, to a secluded 10 personspa, nestled in tropical vegetation, half way up the cliffs, and continue on to the top of the slope, to access the slide and diving platform. From the covered patios across the back of the home, one has an up close view of the pool overflowing large boulders into a lower trough, set at patio level. This trough then appears to feed the natural creek, running into the Koi pond, although this is only an illusion. Boulder slabs act as a bridge across this body of water, and mask the separation between the pool water and the Koi pond. This bridge leads the way, up to the pool elevation, 18 above the patio. A palm island sits in the middle of the pool as a play area or place to lounge in the sun. Additional boulder steps lead up to the pavilion area, raised four feet above the pool. One fun feature of the pavilion is discovered at the push of a button. We plumbed a ring of water at the peak of the corrugated steel roof, so that when the pump is turned on, water runs down the roof and falls over the edge, as though its raining. The rain water is captured in a dry creek bed that encircles the pavilion, and flows into the pool. Also from the raised platform of the pavilion, a handy rope swing allows an exciting entrance to the pool below. With areas for swimming laps, diving, sliding, swinging, water volleyball, relaxing, and so much more, this project came together as the Disneyland paradise that our clients were looking for, and their children have grown up with a vacation get-away right in their own backyard!

Tracey Ayton Photography
Example of a kitchen design in Vancouver

These homeowners purchased a lovely Melrose corner-lot home in desperate need of a landscape refresh. In addition to the Techo-Bloc patio & walkway, LCM PLUS replaced the aging back steps and reconfigured the layout. Using matching natural flat fieldstone LCM PLUS build a small garden wall to match the new front steps, and used landscape lighting to highlight the natural features. Final touches including replacing the fence and & lawn mask the extensive underground drainage & electrical work also completed which means this creative outdoor living space will serve well for many years to come.

Client's balinese masks were re-framed in a plexiglas box by Katayama Framing in Portland. Custom cigarette tables were fabricated by LR Design Co. Photo by Aaron Leitz

The home was dark and narrow masking this Victorian brownstone's natural elegance and so with the guidance of the home-owner we embarked on a multi-step transformation in which we widened the walls exposing the natural brick lining the living-room and dining-room space, removed and reinforced the rear wall installing floor to ceiling thermally broken steel windows, extra tall custom inset kitchen cabinets, 3-level mini-split AC/Heating system, and several other improvements to the home owner's delight.

This rambling Wrightian villa embraces the landscape, creating intimate courtyards, and masking the apparent size of the structure, which is about 6,000 square feet. The home serves as a vessel for its owners collection of significant modern art.

The client had artifacts from travels to Africa that were the inspiration for this room. The room is subdued with shades of grey and black accented with red. The walls are covered in an eel skin wall covering. The fireplace is electric and the wall is a leather textured tile. A recessed niche with the high gloss red acts as a display space for the masks.

Ponce Design-Build Atlanta, GA 30338
Hallway - mid-sized modern light wood floor hallway idea in Atlanta with white walls

This charming Great Room was transformed into an inviting space for relaxation, reading, and socializing. This north-facing room comes to life with a rich colour scheme that also enhances the rich tones of the hardwood flooring, original to this cozy 1970's bungalow. Gone, however, are the bi-folding closet doors which too were original to the house -- they were replaced with sleek, sliding panels. By the time we were contacted to help our Clients with this decorating project, they had already begun the process, a few months prior, with the purchase of a cocktail table and side table, as well as a ceramic lamp. These accessories served as the starting point for the new room design, while inspiration came from the eclectic art collection that my Clients have acquired over the years, on their travels. The beautiful hand-crafted glass dish was the starting point for my Client's colour scheme. Photo: Justin Van Leeuwen

Shelly Harrison & Charlie Allen Renovations Inc.
Inspiration for a small contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen remodel in Boston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and no island

A charming 1920s Los Angeles home serves as a place of business, and the guest room doubles as a work studio. Double rails on elfa hanging standards from The Container Store, hang samples. They're functional, but also create a lovely focal point in a room.