Sharing the primary entertaining space of this centrally located Minneapolis townhouse, this kitchen completed during a remodel in 2022, was designed to integrate and harmonize with a distinctive yet quiet presence. Liberated from its former enclosure, this stunning kitchen takes center stage at the heart of this contemporary town home. Anchored by dual walnut islands, the new layout is conducive to entertaining and provides both cook and guest with excellent views of the Minneapolis skyline. Minimizing traditionally identifiable elements of a kitchen, the space, in concert with the surrounding rooms, feels more like an upscale lounge and less like a residential kitchen. Natural granite is abundant, the waterfalled surfaces adding dramatic effect at the island and behind the induction range where an underlit shelf is integrated into the stone assembly. At the sink, the carefully detailed backsplash is recessed into the surrounding casework which provides additional storage facing the living area. Streamlined appliances are unobtrusive, either fully-integrated or tucked out of the way. The rear wall is composed almost entirely of white, flat paneled cabinetry, tucked under the soffit and merging into the textured fireplace mass. Heavily distressed beams help mitigate the cavernous volume and add layers visual texture and warmth. Double openings divide the space from a more intimately scaled dining area (the former home of the kitchen). The interstitial space provides room for a butler’s pantry and wet bar with hanging glass storage. A backlit etched glass panel provides ambient illumination and conceals an awkwardly located existing window.

Retractable Screens, also known as Roll-up Screens and Vertical Rolling Screens are completely customized to meet the needs of the space. Easy to see through and completely retractable, exterior Retractable Screens create a cool, comfortable, insect-free environment without sacrificing your view. Designed to provide superior solar protection, they mitigate UV damage, optimize comfort and provide daytime privacy even in windy settings. Extra sun control can be achieved by increasing thread counts and weave density. Retractable Solar Shades provide energy-efficient sun shading, shelter against bugs and mosquitoes, climate control and rain/wind reduction while allowing outward visibility. Depending on screen fabric selection, our solar shade fabric selections are capable of blocking up to 95% of ultra-violet (UV) rays–saving up to 50% of the energy used to heat and cool homes. Motorize Retractable Screens provide control at the touch of a button. Somfy Motors allow activation by wall mounted toggle switch or several different types of remote control options. These Retractable Screens will stop at upper and lower limits and are able to stop any where along the travel path on command. Optional Manual Override features allow for operation in case of power outage for motorized units. Manual Operations are available on most models. Motorized Retractable Screens equipped with Somfy RTS motors may be upgraded for use in Smart Homes and operated via Smartphone or other Mobile Devices. Retractable Screens should be retracted when not in use. The screens are raised and housed inside the aluminum housing. All major components of the system are powder coated aluminum for durability, ease of operations, and longevity. All Retractable Screens from Shade & Shutter Systems come with a 5 year Warranty, to include the Somfy Motor. Retractable Screens offer wind and rain abatement for breezy days. Many of our clients enjoy outdoor patio settings along coastal areas and beach front properties. Those areas also endure regular breezes that can be knocked down with retractable Screens for a more enjoyable experience. Although these screens are not designed for storm protection, winds to 40 mph are easily abated. If you would like more information about Retractable Screens, our Product Specialists can be reached at 800-522-1599.

Pool - large transitional backyard stone and rectangular pool idea in New York

Inspiration for a 1950s staircase remodel in Kansas City

This meandering driveway is the focal point of the property. Mitigating cracking with a running bond pattern, achieved by checker boarding pours and maintaining a high quality of work with consistent finishes and crisp, clean, saw cut lines, produced the final result.

In order to mitigate the bulk, we used over-scaled windows, a hip roof form, porches and trellises, and traditional building materials to help the house fade into the landscape.

The MR Nook! Entirely custom made dining nook created with steel, rustic alder and love. The built-in bench has three hatches and one drawer for storage. The moveable bench's top is hinged to allow access to the heater controls and the entire bench can be slid out of the way for heater maintenance. The double (vertical) trestle style dining table frame provides a secondary footrest to the built-in bench's primary footrest and is designed to mitigate knee knocking while sliding around on the bench. This creation increased our client's seating capacity from 4 to 7 (comfortably) and gave them LOTS of storage space.

Retractable Screens, also known as Roll-up Screens and Vertical Rolling Screens are completely customized to meet the needs of the space. Easy to see through and completely retractable, exterior Retractable Screens create a cool, comfortable, insect-free environment without sacrificing your view. Designed to provide superior solar protection, they mitigate UV damage, optimize comfort and provide daytime privacy even in windy settings. Extra sun control can be achieved by increasing thread counts and weave density. Retractable Solar Shades provide energy-efficient sun shading, shelter against bugs and mosquitoes, climate control and rain/wind reduction while allowing outward visibility. Depending on screen fabric selection, our solar shade fabric selections are capable of blocking up to 95% of ultra-violet (UV) rays–saving up to 50% of the energy used to heat and cool homes. Motorize Retractable Screens provide control at the touch of a button. Somfy Motors allow activation by wall mounted toggle switch or several different types of remote control options. These Retractable Screens will stop at upper and lower limits and are able to stop any where along the travel path on command. Optional Manual Override features allow for operation in case of power outage for motorized units. Manual Operations are available on most models. Motorized Retractable Screens equipped with Somfy RTS motors may be upgraded for use in Smart Homes and operated via Smartphone or other Mobile Devices. Retractable Screens should be retracted when not in use. The screens are raised and housed inside the aluminum housing. All major components of the system are powder coated aluminum for durability, ease of operations, and longevity. All Retractable Screens from Shade & Shutter Systems come with a 5 year Warranty, to include the Somfy Motor. Retractable Screens offer wind and rain abatement for breezy days. Many of our clients enjoy outdoor patio settings along coastal areas and beach front properties. Those areas also endure regular breezes that can be knocked down with retractable Screens for a more enjoyable experience. Although these screens are not designed for storm protection, winds to 40 mph are easily abated. If you would like more information about Retractable Screens, our Product Specialists can be reached at 800-522-1599.

he goal of this project was to create a private “zen” garden for a newly reconstructed single family house located in a family neighborhood in North Baltimore County. The site was challenging due to the steepness and the sudden drop from North to South. The garden program and design goals included: a) Creation of terraces that helped mitigating the steep slopes and were convenient to the living areas that were located on the rear of the house overlooking the natural stream and existing woods. b) Creation of a completely private garden in the front of the house that would be a retreat area for the home office. c) Maximize spaces for planting/ garden both on the front and the rear of the house d) Creation of an attractive and private swimming pool.

Client's choice to eliminate the glass enclosure was mitigated by lineal trench drain and floor heating.
Bathroom - small contemporary gray tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile bathroom idea in Vancouver with a console sink, glass-front cabinets, white cabinets, wood countertops, a wall-mount toilet and gray walls

Home design - contemporary home design idea in Mumbai

This house was designed to maintain clean sustainability and durability. Minimal, simple, modern design techniques were implemented to create an open floor plan with natural light. The entry of the home, clad in wood, was created as a transitional space between the exterior and the living spaces by creating a feeling of compression before entering into the voluminous, light filled, living area. The large volume, tall windows and natural light of the living area allows for light and views to the exterior in all directions. This project also considered our clients' need for storage and love for travel by creating storage space for an Airstream camper in the oversized 2 car garage at the back of the property. As in all of our homes, we designed and built this project with increased energy efficiency standards in mind. Our standards begin below grade by designing our foundations with insulated concrete forms (ICF) for all of our exterior foundation walls, providing the below grade walls with an R value of 23. As a standard, we also install a passive radon system and a heat recovery ventilator to efficiently mitigate the indoor air quality within all of the homes we build.

Kaplan Architects, AIA Location: San Francisco, CA, USA This project was the third remodel for this client which involved a complete reorganization and renovation of their existing master bathroom. We were hired evaluate the existing layout of the space, take measures in the redesign to mitigate a persistent leak in the space below the bathroom, and develop a complete and detailed interior design of the remodeled bathroom. The client was also interested in develop any aging in place measures we could implement with the new design changes. We developed a new layout which reorganized the space. The project includes a separate tub and walk in shower area. We created various storage areas which included custom built in medicine cabinets, storage over the wall hung toilet, and a vanity cabinet custom designed for the new space. We also developed the lighting design for the renovated space which included custom lighting between the mirror areas above the vanity. General Contractor: L Cabral Construction, San Francisco, CA Mitchell Shenker Photography

The goal of this landscape design and build project was to mitigate run-off from a steep hillside as well as to beautify the front foundation planting at a condo complex in South Boston. This design features a traditional approach to the front walkway using a mix of evergreen and deciduous shrubs, an oramental weeping tree, and a mix of perennials. Along the slope, our approach was to utilize a mix of grasses to hold soil and also to create swathes of color during the Fall season. Designed and built by Skyline Landscapes, LLC.

Ice dams wreaked havoc on this Metro West home. Ceilings, walls, floors and insulation were soaked and ruined on multiple floors. The Landmark team rebuilt the living room including refinishing damaged hardwood through to the kitchen, reinsulating, replacing the ceiling and walls and repainting. In the basement-level pool table room, water under the sub-floor had to be mitigated and the carpet replaced. The new work blends seamlessly with the rest of the home – as if the damage never happened.

Retractable Screens, also known as Roll-up Screens and Vertical Rolling Screens are completely customized to meet the needs of the space. Easy to see through and completely retractable, exterior Retractable Screens create a cool, comfortable, insect-free environment without sacrificing your view. Designed to provide superior solar protection, they mitigate UV damage, optimize comfort and provide daytime privacy even in windy settings. Extra sun control can be achieved by increasing thread counts and weave density. Retractable Solar Shades provide energy-efficient sun shading, shelter against bugs and mosquitoes, climate control and rain/wind reduction while allowing outward visibility. Depending on screen fabric selection, our solar shade fabric selections are capable of blocking up to 95% of ultra-violet (UV) rays–saving up to 50% of the energy used to heat and cool homes. Motorize Retractable Screens provide control at the touch of a button. Somfy Motors allow activation by wall mounted toggle switch or several different types of remote control options. These Retractable Screens will stop at upper and lower limits and are able to stop any where along the travel path on command. Optional Manual Override features allow for operation in case of power outage for motorized units. Manual Operations are available on most models. Motorized Retractable Screens equipped with Somfy RTS motors may be upgraded for use in Smart Homes and operated via Smartphone or other Mobile Devices. Retractable Screens should be retracted when not in use. The screens are raised and housed inside the aluminum housing. All major components of the system are powder coated aluminum for durability, ease of operations, and longevity. All Retractable Screens from Shade & Shutter Systems come with a 5 year Warranty, to include the Somfy Motor. Retractable Screens offer wind and rain abatement for breezy days. Many of our clients enjoy outdoor patio settings along coastal areas and beach front properties. Those areas also endure regular breezes that can be knocked down with retractable Screens for a more enjoyable experience. Although these screens are not designed for storm protection, winds to 40 mph are easily abated. If you would like more information about Retractable Screens, our Product Specialists can be reached at 800-522-1599.

A covered deck made from Ipe, a Brazilian hardwood that naturally repels insects and resists decay, replaced a gravel patio. Retractable screens hidden in the deck’s columns provide protection from the elements at the press of a button. In the upper deck, Trex composite decking and a water mitigation system ensure durability with minimal maintenance. The brickwork on the façade was repaired and painted for to unify and modernize the exterior.

Example of a kitchen design in Grand Rapids

This backyard design blends simplicity and utility with a strong connection to the surrounding natural landscape. A sleek stainless steel outdoor shower is mounted against the home’s modern façade—perfect for rinsing off after gardening, hikes, or hot tub use. A curved planting bed with ornamental grasses, shrubs, and colorful perennials adds softness and year-round interest while defining the edge of the lawn. Native trees and a black metal fence frame the space, offering privacy without obstructing views of the nearby forested slope. Boulder retaining elements subtly shape the hillside, and a small covered deck above extends the indoor living space into the outdoors.