photography by Joslyn Amato
Large minimalist backyard concrete patio kitchen photo in San Luis Obispo with a pergola

Framing a stunning view down the mountainside to the plains and canyon below, the large central window provides ample daylight while an exterior barn-door style shutter can quickly shield the window to moderate heat gain, protect it from the elements or increase privacy. Photo Credit: Stephen Cardinale www.stephencardinale.com

Irene Kalina-Jones
Patio - patio idea in New York

This is a small beach cottage constructed in Indian shores. Because of site limitations, we build the home tall and maximized the ocean views. It's a great example of a well built moderately priced beach home where value and durability was a priority to the client. Cary John

Marc Fowler
Inspiration for a mid-sized 1950s open concept medium tone wood floor family room remodel in Ottawa with white walls, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround

The star of the back yard is Western Redbud / Cercis occidentalis. It flowers briefly at the end of winter; then heart-shaped leaves appear and turn a soft yellow fall color.

Inspiration for an eclectic living room remodel in Sydney

Despite its small size, this bathroom does not look cramped thanks to the small amount of furniture and sanitary ware. In addition, the dominant color in the bathroom is white, which tends to visually expand small spaces. The high-quality lighting also enhances the sense of space and freedom in the bathroom. The multi-colored walls make the ambience in the bathroom welcoming, cozy, and warm. Try to make your own bathroom look stylish and beautiful too. Add a bit of high style to it together with our best interior designers!

Deep green accents complement the wood tones in this family room. The neutral sofa and drapery are a calming touch when the gang plays billiards.
Inspiration for a timeless family room remodel in Miami

Our busy Silicon Valley clients asked us to convert their tight-quartered 1960’s ranch house to a gracious family home that would meet their long term needs. Ease of living was paramount, both in functionality and in ordered design. The project was completed on a moderate budget. While retaining most of the structure of the existing house to avoid costly structural changes, we opened walls to improve the sight lines and flow of the house and bring in more light. We made small additions at the front and back bedrooms to gain space for the family and relatives. An existing underused patio area was improved with a simple outdoor kitchen and overhang to extend the living space to the outside. Costs were kept down with choices of modest materials. Everything was made to be functional. Ample storage has been built into the right places. The details of the kitchen were carefully worked out to accommodate all the wishes of the various cooks in the family. The house is set up to be easy to keep clean. Acoustic walls separate living from bedroom spaces so adults can enjoy time together while children sleep. The outdoor kitchen has easy access to the indoor kitchen and the garage, and its setup promotes socializing while cooking outdoors. A large part of the narrow back yard was previously unusable space due to a steep slope up to a neighbor’s higher fence. With a new retaining wall and some re-grading we took back more of the yard for the patio and play space on a new lawn. The remodeled house is a mix of contemporary and traditional elements. Cool colors have a calming effect. Traditional items such as prairie style windows, trellis, mosaic tiles, and Shaker style cabinets, break down the scale in an otherwise streamlined, contemporary design. A new gabled roof with a broad arch at the front of the house marks the entry and resolves a challenging form where the central entry is set back from walls on both sides. Photography: Kurt Manley https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/modern-ranch/

Photo by TwistTours.com
Example of a mid-sized trendy living room design in Austin

Enclosed dining room - mid-sized contemporary medium tone wood floor enclosed dining room idea in Louisville with gray walls and no fireplace

Photo by TwistTours.com
Example of a mid-sized trendy kitchen design in Austin

Inspiration for a large transitional medium tone wood floor kitchen/dining room combo remodel in Boston

This is an example of a southwestern landscaping in Phoenix.

Canopy Gray Wood Plank Porcelain Tile | This 6in. x 24in. Canopy Gray Wood Plank Porcelain Tile has a matte finish. This tile has inkjet print quality, which produces a high definition image that thoroughly covers the tile and results in a natural, authentic look. PEI measures a tile's durability and ability to withstand foot traffic, on a scale of 1-5. This tile, rated at 4 PEI, can withstand moderate to heavy traffic and is suitable for all residential and medium commercial floor and wall applications. This porcelain tile is made in the USA. Known for high quality design and efficient production, tiles made in the USA are excellent options for any floor or wall. Add a stylish touch to any room with porcelain flooring. It is ideal for its beauty and versatility and can also be used in any room in your house. With proper installation, porcelain tiles can last for years with very little maintenance. Porcelain is an excellent choice to decorate walls, as well.

Photo of a southwestern landscaping in Phoenix.

Photo of a modern landscaping in Miami.

A charming improvement on a Southern favorite, Jubilation grows compactly and blooms heavily in spring; reblooming fragrantly through summer into fall. FEATURES Bloom/Feature Fragrant white blooms in spring and summer Plant Type Shrubs Evergreen or Deciduous Evergreen USDA Zones 7,8,9,10 Zone Detail Hardy to 0 F Key Features fall blooming, reblooming, dwarf, attracts birds/butterflies Use accent, container, mass planting, slope, hedge Exposure Full-sun to Part-shade Bloom Season spring, summer, fall Dimension 3-4' H x 3' W Growth Rate Moderate to fast growth CARE Water Water as needed Soil Type Well-drained garden soil Fertilizer Late spring Pruning Shape after spring bloom PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS water before planting plant in full sun to part shade dig hole 3X the width of pot, backfill and plant 1”-2” above soil level water and add more soil if needed mulch plants