Becky Hulsey, Envision Virtual Tours The Lodge at Gold Mine Falls A Once in a Lifetime Opportunity Awaits…. Have you dreamed of owning your own spectacular waterfall, a serene trout pond, or a one of a kind mountain lodge filled with high end touches, all near Lake Burton? If the answer is yes…..then “The Lodge at Gold Mine Falls” is for you! Located just off HW 76 .3 miles to Anchorage Marina, this unique 2.8 acre property borders the National Forest, boasts a fully remodeled 3 bedroom, 3 bath, 2000+ square foot rock lodge that is adjacent to its own private, spectacular 60 foot waterfall all surrounded by native landscape such as rhododendron and mountain laurel. Tumbling under the 40 foot suspension bridge, the pristine, crystal clear water continues to ramble on its way to large pond ready to be stocked with trout. Picture yourself fly fishing for a trout dinner right at your front door, or delight your friends or family while entertaining on your new porch or extensive, multi-level deck that connects your new home to your own waterfall. The kids or grandkids will be entertained for hours wading in the pool at the base of the waterfall, exploring the crooks and crannies among the stream’s boulders while looking for salamanders, or panning for “fool’s gold” in the stream. Just imagine….The Lodge at Gold Mine Falls has all this and more! As you walk up the front steps to The Lodge at Gold Mine Falls, you will notice the craftsmanship of this uniquely one of a kind home made from local stone and granite from a period gone by. If you look closely at some of the stones, you will find raw garnets, some the size of a nail head. Upon opening the front door constructed of solid oak and a tasteful piece of leaded glass, you will be amazed at the spaciousness of the lodge room. Once upon a time, the 20 x 30 foot room with 10 foot ceilings was the entire home. The focal piece of the room is the new floor to ceiling field stone fireplace, hand honed solid maple mantel, rounded hearth, accentuated by a hand-cut keystone, and flanked by raw cedar columns. The new gas logs can be remotely controlled with programmable heat. A built-in floor to ceiling cherry wood wall unit, with granite serving surface, highlights a side wall and is topped off with a large piece of stained glass from an English pub. The mood lighting behind the stained glass and the antique library ladder really highlights this unique bookcase. Distinctive lighting fixtures and fans provide dining area lighting and circulation from the cool breezes off of Lake Burton. On the bottom, the solid oak 1.5 inch flooring is a remnant of the past on the top, the height of the ceilings is enhanced by double crown moldings throughout and a touch of the outdoors is brought indoors by the three new skylights. Surrounded by rustic cedar window boxes, additional ambient light streams through the four windows facing south, and the new French doors. As you open the French doors to the new porch, you are immediately struck by the sights and sound produced by the rushing water as it cascades over the spectacular multilevel waterfall. You will also notice that the mountain has literally been carved away as you view the layers and striations in the granite that surround the back of the porch. The peaked cathedral ceiling sports a glass apex and the bead board on the ceiling accentuated by the raw cedar plank framing and the five cedar trees used as cornerstones all bring the outdoors within your reach. The addition of “E-Z Breeze” vinyl windows along with the cast iron gas stove will allow you and your family to enjoy the beauty and continually changing scenery at The Lodge at Gold Mine Fall during all four seasons. Opening the Adirondack style door on the other side of the lodge room allows you to step into the Lodge’s addition built at a later date. The four foot wide hallway boasts stained glass light fixtures and an architectural feature from the new stairwell that divides the living and the bedroom spaces. Knowing that the east wall in the kitchen and study were once on the home’s exterior allowed us to investigate and reveal the true character of these walls by removing the two layers of drywall and 4 inches of plaster exposing a striking addition to both rooms…… beautiful granite rock walls. The hallway flows into the granite breakfast bar which fully complements the newly exposed granite wall. From the Viking SS refrigerator to gas Jenn Air ceramic cooktop and microwave the appliances are a chef’s delight. Lighting is a critical component in a gourmet kitchen and the light from the double window is enhanced by two spotlights over the cooking area, LED task lighting under the cabinets, mood lighting over the top cabinets, and four “Murano” hand blown glass pendant lights over the sink and bar area. Scoring points in the design category, the full wood “Thomasville” two tone glazed cabinets that are country white and palomino scream style and sophistication, and are accentuated by the cool copper glass backsplash and refined stainless steel hardware. The porcelain, two bowl farmhouse sink is large enough for your biggest pots while the stainless steel sink guards will protect it from scratches. The SS faucet is professional quality and the Insinkerator will help the chef in the house save time with instant 190 degree water. An eight foot long exposed cedar tree trunk hangs over the cooking area allowing the chef to hang his/her favorite utensils and pots or pans in full lodge style. And who wouldn’t crave a large walk in pantry with commercial grade slides that will up to 120 pounds. With all these features, the cook/cooks in the family will love spending time in this room. Across from the kitchen is a study/office area which can be closed off from the hallway by a double barn door. Except for the remarkable exposed granite rock wall mentioned earlier, the entire room has been paneled with raw cedar boards treated with Australian Tree Oil for true lodge feel. The triple crank out window provides a superb view of the pond and blazing Japanese maple trees in the fall. Outside, the hallway leads to the utility room which has been fully upgraded with all the modern amenities. The oak cabinetry with granite tops also has an extra deep sink with commercial kitchen sprayer. The sink area is surrounded by white subway tile while slate and green glass mini tile accents bring the outdoor colors inside. The doggy door, new exterior door and crank out window provide access to the back yard and additional light. From the new “Rinnai” point of use, gas hot water heater to the new “LG” full size, stackable washer and dryer, this utility room delivers. The master bedroom has four windows which provide outstanding light and air circulation. To take the chill off of nippy evenings, this bedroom also has its own romantic fireplace with travertine marble surround, remote controlled gas logs, and a beautiful antique oak and mirror mantle. To top it off, the en-suite bath contains high end fixtures, a spacious vanity, and floor to ceiling rain shower with independent valves allowing you to turn on the shower and not get wet. Multiple safety handrails and a fold down shower seat give bathers assurance and provide an additional measure of safety. The earthy color tiles, glass tile accents and hand blown light fixtures continue the lodge theme in this end of the house. Located across the hall, the guest bedroom is light and airy with its white window boxes and double crown molding, and also has an attached bathroom. This bathroom also has an entrance door leading to the hallway and doubles as the guest bathroom for the house. Its antique oak vanity and mirror, stained glass lights and wrought iron accents remind me of a past era while the vessel sink, modern fixtures, and floor to ceiling travertine and glass tile rain shower all bring the bathroom up to modern standards. Located at the end of the hallway, and next to the guest bathroom, is the handcrafted stairwell leading to the sleeping loft. The distinctive maple stair treads with their grain and raw edge being displayed, were milled locally in Clayton and then installed from underneath so that no screw or nail heads are visible. The staircase was completed with wrought iron spindles, raw cedar handrail and floor to ceiling end post. Upon your entry into the sleeping loft, you will notice the amount of light that enters through the two skylights and large window facing the pond. The sound of water rushing over the pond’s spillway is a delightful addition to this large sleeping loft. Finished with engineered hardwood flooring and two built in double beds with tree trunks for legs, the room can accommodate four additional twin beds. The sleeping loft is also equipped with a kitchenette and a distinctive cedar and rock walled bathroom. The bath features an antique dresser vanity with marble vessel sink, distinctive fixtures and a floor to ceiling polished travertine marble shower with rain head. This bathroom also has an exterior door leading to a secondary upstairs staircase in the back yard. Just envision the great sleepovers the kids or grandkids will have here or how your out of town friends or family will just love this special area designed with their comfort and needs in mind. Originally constructed in 1925 by “off Broadway” star Rose Grant, this property is rich in history. In the early years, this home was one of the first in Rabun County to generate its own electric from the waterfall. Several small cabins were also built on the property and rented out to guests who came for the waterfall, swim in the pond and connect with nature. Other notable residents were Mrs. and Doctor Fowler who was a local pediatrician. According to an aged newspaper article, Mrs. Fowler was very interested in the indigenous flora and fauna and grew a variety of native plants on the property including some that were rare or endangered. Many metal name tags still remain along the various paths on the property thus reminding you of times gone by and the true beauty of property. Lastly, this solidly built home has just been structurally solidified, become more energy efficient, and reconfigured to further usable space all while retaining the Lodge’s original charm. After removing the flooring in the kitchen, hall and both bathrooms, the home’s structure and roof were fortified with numerous concrete footers to support both bathrooms, kitchen, and stairwell walls that extend from floor to roof. To make this home more comfortable, energy efficient, and bring it up to modern standards, the electrical system was upgraded to 220 service with the wiring, outlets, electrical panels and fixtures replaced throughout the entire home. A whole house surge protector was also installed to protect against damage that may occur with lightning strikes. Speaking of electric…..the pond’s newly poured formed concrete wall contains a pipe enabling you to install your own hydro-electric system. And whether you might decide to tie into the grid or store you energy in a battery system, you could generate your own electric 24/7. The homes plumbing was also replaced with new pipes, energy/water efficient fixtures in each bathroom (including three Toto toilets), and a new cistern was installed behind the garage with a laboratory grade water filtration system. The task of water heating was completed by a gas Rinnai point of use hot water heater in the utility room and all windows were replaced with Anderson thermal pane and 6 Velux skylights were mounted to bring the outdoors inside. The home’s HVAC system was top of the line several years ago and both sets of new gas logs are controlled with remotes. Formerly a summer home, all exterior walls were studded out with insulation added, and whole house fans were installed in the attic and upstairs bathroom. Although many of these upgrades may not be visible, they allow the home to be more energy efficient and more comfortable……allowing The Lodge at Gold Mine Falls to become your four season retreat.

Deckscapes designed and built this project for our client in south Charlotte earlier this year. The reason I liked this project so much was the transition from what the backyard looked like to the finished project. The yard was in complete disarrayIt had an old deck and pergola that was barely standing. I wish I had the 'before' picture to show you. We started by removing the old deck, large pergola, faulty wiring, crumbling fire pit and numerous bushes and trees. Then we built a small but functional Trex deck using Trex Transcends Spiced Rum decking with hidden fasteners and a Trex Transcends railing in White with black aluminum ballusters. Next we built the large pergola using Pressure Treated Pine. The beams and rafters have a scrolled cut on the ends for an attractive look. We wired the pergola for a future ceiling fan and a switch on the 6x6 column. After the pergola was constructed, we graded the yard and readied the area for the pavers. We installed approximately 460 square feet of Belgard Urbana tumbled pavers along with a matching border and step down to the yard. Then we installed the Belgard stone about a third of the way up the 6x6 posts to finish off the look. Lastly we installed new sod around the new site to really give the project that finished look. I loved the way it turned out and I know our clients loved it too. This yard transition by Deckscapes will really help them to Enjoy Being Outside.

Building a Dream Home For the past 30 years, John Bleeker has been designing notable homes and renowned buildings in the area, which have been published in numerous magazines. Mr. Bleeker, an award winning architect of Bleeker Architectural Group, chose Braen Supply as the provider for the materials for his own home. He felt that Braen Supply was the most trustworthy and reliable source for materials as he designed his dream home. Mr. Bleeker was looking for a particular coloration of materials that Braen Supply would be providing. In order to meet the needs of the customer, a custom blend of granites were created providing him with the exact coloration that he was looking for. The remaining materials were selected to correspond with the custom blend, creating a home that anyone would dream to live in. Bleeker Architectural Group has been designing notable homes and buildings in the area since 1999.

Becky Hulsey, Envision Virtual Tours The Lodge at Gold Mine Falls A Once in a Lifetime Opportunity Awaits…. Have you dreamed of owning your own spectacular waterfall, a serene trout pond, or a one of a kind mountain lodge filled with high end touches, all near Lake Burton? If the answer is yes…..then “The Lodge at Gold Mine Falls” is for you! Located just off HW 76 .3 miles to Anchorage Marina, this unique 2.8 acre property borders the National Forest, boasts a fully remodeled 3 bedroom, 3 bath, 2000+ square foot rock lodge that is adjacent to its own private, spectacular 60 foot waterfall all surrounded by native landscape such as rhododendron and mountain laurel. Tumbling under the 40 foot suspension bridge, the pristine, crystal clear water continues to ramble on its way to large pond ready to be stocked with trout. Picture yourself fly fishing for a trout dinner right at your front door, or delight your friends or family while entertaining on your new porch or extensive, multi-level deck that connects your new home to your own waterfall. The kids or grandkids will be entertained for hours wading in the pool at the base of the waterfall, exploring the crooks and crannies among the stream’s boulders while looking for salamanders, or panning for “fool’s gold” in the stream. Just imagine….The Lodge at Gold Mine Falls has all this and more! As you walk up the front steps to The Lodge at Gold Mine Falls, you will notice the craftsmanship of this uniquely one of a kind home made from local stone and granite from a period gone by. If you look closely at some of the stones, you will find raw garnets, some the size of a nail head. Upon opening the front door constructed of solid oak and a tasteful piece of leaded glass, you will be amazed at the spaciousness of the lodge room. Once upon a time, the 20 x 30 foot room with 10 foot ceilings was the entire home. The focal piece of the room is the new floor to ceiling field stone fireplace, hand honed solid maple mantel, rounded hearth, accentuated by a hand-cut keystone, and flanked by raw cedar columns. The new gas logs can be remotely controlled with programmable heat. A built-in floor to ceiling cherry wood wall unit, with granite serving surface, highlights a side wall and is topped off with a large piece of stained glass from an English pub. The mood lighting behind the stained glass and the antique library ladder really highlights this unique bookcase. Distinctive lighting fixtures and fans provide dining area lighting and circulation from the cool breezes off of Lake Burton. On the bottom, the solid oak 1.5 inch flooring is a remnant of the past on the top, the height of the ceilings is enhanced by double crown moldings throughout and a touch of the outdoors is brought indoors by the three new skylights. Surrounded by rustic cedar window boxes, additional ambient light streams through the four windows facing south, and the new French doors. As you open the French doors to the new porch, you are immediately struck by the sights and sound produced by the rushing water as it cascades over the spectacular multilevel waterfall. You will also notice that the mountain has literally been carved away as you view the layers and striations in the granite that surround the back of the porch. The peaked cathedral ceiling sports a glass apex and the bead board on the ceiling accentuated by the raw cedar plank framing and the five cedar trees used as cornerstones all bring the outdoors within your reach. The addition of “E-Z Breeze” vinyl windows along with the cast iron gas stove will allow you and your family to enjoy the beauty and continually changing scenery at The Lodge at Gold Mine Fall during all four seasons. Opening the Adirondack style door on the other side of the lodge room allows you to step into the Lodge’s addition built at a later date. The four foot wide hallway boasts stained glass light fixtures and an architectural feature from the new stairwell that divides the living and the bedroom spaces. Knowing that the east wall in the kitchen and study were once on the home’s exterior allowed us to investigate and reveal the true character of these walls by removing the two layers of drywall and 4 inches of plaster exposing a striking addition to both rooms…… beautiful granite rock walls. The hallway flows into the granite breakfast bar which fully complements the newly exposed granite wall. From the Viking SS refrigerator to gas Jenn Air ceramic cooktop and microwave the appliances are a chef’s delight. Lighting is a critical component in a gourmet kitchen and the light from the double window is enhanced by two spotlights over the cooking area, LED task lighting under the cabinets, mood lighting over the top cabinets, and four “Murano” hand blown glass pendant lights over the sink and bar area. Scoring points in the design category, the full wood “Thomasville” two tone glazed cabinets that are country white and palomino scream style and sophistication, and are accentuated by the cool copper glass backsplash and refined stainless steel hardware. The porcelain, two bowl farmhouse sink is large enough for your biggest pots while the stainless steel sink guards will protect it from scratches. The SS faucet is professional quality and the Insinkerator will help the chef in the house save time with instant 190 degree water. An eight foot long exposed cedar tree trunk hangs over the cooking area allowing the chef to hang his/her favorite utensils and pots or pans in full lodge style. And who wouldn’t crave a large walk in pantry with commercial grade slides that will up to 120 pounds. With all these features, the cook/cooks in the family will love spending time in this room. Across from the kitchen is a study/office area which can be closed off from the hallway by a double barn door. Except for the remarkable exposed granite rock wall mentioned earlier, the entire room has been paneled with raw cedar boards treated with Australian Tree Oil for true lodge feel. The triple crank out window provides a superb view of the pond and blazing Japanese maple trees in the fall. Outside, the hallway leads to the utility room which has been fully upgraded with all the modern amenities. The oak cabinetry with granite tops also has an extra deep sink with commercial kitchen sprayer. The sink area is surrounded by white subway tile while slate and green glass mini tile accents bring the outdoor colors inside. The doggy door, new exterior door and crank out window provide access to the back yard and additional light. From the new “Rinnai” point of use, gas hot water heater to the new “LG” full size, stackable washer and dryer, this utility room delivers. The master bedroom has four windows which provide outstanding light and air circulation. To take the chill off of nippy evenings, this bedroom also has its own romantic fireplace with travertine marble surround, remote controlled gas logs, and a beautiful antique oak and mirror mantle. To top it off, the en-suite bath contains high end fixtures, a spacious vanity, and floor to ceiling rain shower with independent valves allowing you to turn on the shower and not get wet. Multiple safety handrails and a fold down shower seat give bathers assurance and provide an additional measure of safety. The earthy color tiles, glass tile accents and hand blown light fixtures continue the lodge theme in this end of the house. Located across the hall, the guest bedroom is light and airy with its white window boxes and double crown molding, and also has an attached bathroom. This bathroom also has an entrance door leading to the hallway and doubles as the guest bathroom for the house. Its antique oak vanity and mirror, stained glass lights and wrought iron accents remind me of a past era while the vessel sink, modern fixtures, and floor to ceiling travertine and glass tile rain shower all bring the bathroom up to modern standards. Located at the end of the hallway, and next to the guest bathroom, is the handcrafted stairwell leading to the sleeping loft. The distinctive maple stair treads with their grain and raw edge being displayed, were milled locally in Clayton and then installed from underneath so that no screw or nail heads are visible. The staircase was completed with wrought iron spindles, raw cedar handrail and floor to ceiling end post. Upon your entry into the sleeping loft, you will notice the amount of light that enters through the two skylights and large window facing the pond. The sound of water rushing over the pond’s spillway is a delightful addition to this large sleeping loft. Finished with engineered hardwood flooring and two built in double beds with tree trunks for legs, the room can accommodate four additional twin beds. The sleeping loft is also equipped with a kitchenette and a distinctive cedar and rock walled bathroom. The bath features an antique dresser vanity with marble vessel sink, distinctive fixtures and a floor to ceiling polished travertine marble shower with rain head. This bathroom also has an exterior door leading to a secondary upstairs staircase in the back yard. Just envision the great sleepovers the kids or grandkids will have here or how your out of town friends or family will just love this special area designed with their comfort and needs in mind. Originally constructed in 1925 by “off Broadway” star Rose Grant, this property is rich in history. In the early years, this home was one of the first in Rabun County to generate its own electric from the waterfall. Several small cabins were also built on the property and rented out to guests who came for the waterfall, swim in the pond and connect with nature. Other notable residents were Mrs. and Doctor Fowler who was a local pediatrician. According to an aged newspaper article, Mrs. Fowler was very interested in the indigenous flora and fauna and grew a variety of native plants on the property including some that were rare or endangered. Many metal name tags still remain along the various paths on the property thus reminding you of times gone by and the true beauty of property. Lastly, this solidly built home has just been structurally solidified, become more energy efficient, and reconfigured to further usable space all while retaining the Lodge’s original charm. After removing the flooring in the kitchen, hall and both bathrooms, the home’s structure and roof were fortified with numerous concrete footers to support both bathrooms, kitchen, and stairwell walls that extend from floor to roof. To make this home more comfortable, energy efficient, and bring it up to modern standards, the electrical system was upgraded to 220 service with the wiring, outlets, electrical panels and fixtures replaced throughout the entire home. A whole house surge protector was also installed to protect against damage that may occur with lightning strikes. Speaking of electric…..the pond’s newly poured formed concrete wall contains a pipe enabling you to install your own hydro-electric system. And whether you might decide to tie into the grid or store you energy in a battery system, you could generate your own electric 24/7. The homes plumbing was also replaced with new pipes, energy/water efficient fixtures in each bathroom (including three Toto toilets), and a new cistern was installed behind the garage with a laboratory grade water filtration system. The task of water heating was completed by a gas Rinnai point of use hot water heater in the utility room and all windows were replaced with Anderson thermal pane and 6 Velux skylights were mounted to bring the outdoors inside. The home’s HVAC system was top of the line several years ago and both sets of new gas logs are controlled with remotes. Formerly a summer home, all exterior walls were studded out with insulation added, and whole house fans were installed in the attic and upstairs bathroom. Although many of these upgrades may not be visible, they allow the home to be more energy efficient and more comfortable……allowing The Lodge at Gold Mine Falls to become your four season retreat.

Since the completion of the home our company has maintained this property. Originally built by a local builder as a speculation home, it was purchased by two busy professionals. Why is this important? Let's just say the clients are particular and like it when things aren't just so. Both have high level careers, travel often and expect their landscape to be pristine. Year after year our company rises to this challenge. When originally installed, the builder wanted larger plant material to provide a full and mature look. The continued growth provides a pruning challenge, especially when the client prefers a clean, neat and "compact" landscape. We continually monitor growth and hand prune accordingly, including yearly winter pruning. The backyard is particularly difficult due to the shade, moisture run-off from neighboring properties. The turf requires constant monitoring and adjustment to the irrigation system. The trees create a mess requiring clean up along with yearly power washing of the stone. While the challenges are many, the fine maintenance has led to happy clients and numerous referrals.

I wanted a vertical wall so I could display my orchids. they prefer a more humid area and filtered sunlight. This faces east but I have a sunshade covering over the slats on the roof. The boxes were made by me and my husband, sealed w/spar varnish and painted/or stained. The redwood wall also got numerous coats of spar varnish.

Fishel Pools is the number one custom pool builder in Springfield, Missouri and the surrounding area. Since 1976, Fishel designs have earned numerous design awards for creativity and craftsmanship. Whether it’s a backyard paradise or a large commercial project, every Fishel Pool is custom-designed and built with your specific needs in mind. No cookie-cutter pools. Ever! Over 1,000 unique Fishel designs can be found at residences, country clubs, hospitals, community and neighborhood’s, camps, resort’s, and multi-family residential complexes. Contact Fishel Pools today to find out more and remember “When it has to be the best, it’s a Fishel!”

The New American Remodel 2019 is a 1950s single-level house transformed into a two-level modern house with nearly 6,000 square feet by Michael Gardner, principal of studio g Architecture and Luxus Design Build in Las Vegas. To utilize energy-efficiency and organic materials, the designers chose a mix of contemporary ceiling fans, Infratech Comfort heaters and a gas heat pump system for air conditioning, along with an array of solar panels, which means the house produces more electricity than it uses. The floor plan of the house includes numerous intimate and large outdoor spaces for relaxing, including a patio off the office at the front of the house, an outdoor living room that extends between the great room and the swimming pool, and a two-level covered entertaining space between the pool and the orchard. The second floor has a seating area in front of a fireplace with flush mount Infratech heaters overhead, a pizza oven, a dining area, a bar and an outdoor kitchen.

Fishel Pools is the number one custom pool builder in Springfield, Missouri and the surrounding area. Since 1976, Fishel designs have earned numerous design awards for creativity and craftsmanship. Whether it’s a backyard paradise or a large commercial project, every Fishel Pool is custom-designed and built with your specific needs in mind. No cookie-cutter pools. Ever! Over 1,000 unique Fishel designs can be found at residences, country clubs, hospitals, community and neighborhood’s, camps, resort’s, and multi-family residential complexes. Contact Fishel Pools today to find out more and remember “When it has to be the best, it’s a Fishel!”

Fishel Pools is the number one custom pool builder in Springfield, Missouri and the surrounding area. Since 1976, Fishel designs have earned numerous design awards for creativity and craftsmanship. Whether it’s a backyard paradise or a large commercial project, every Fishel Pool is custom-designed and built with your specific needs in mind. No cookie-cutter pools. Ever! Over 1,000 unique Fishel designs can be found at residences, country clubs, hospitals, community and neighborhood’s, camps, resort’s, and multi-family residential complexes. Contact Fishel Pools today to find out more and remember “When it has to be the best, it’s a Fishel!”

This project just outside Calgary's city center features everything you would want in your dream backyard. A large roman patio, custom built arbor and privacy screen offer seclusion to the clients and their guests all the while being steps from downtown Calgary. The front yard was designed to incorporate the existing trees on the property, while adding a new front exposed aggregate walk, feature boulders and numerous native plantings set in a mulch bed. Photo credit: Jamen Rhodes

More plantings along one of the numerous paths that connect the backyard water fall to the fire pit. Photo by Acanthus Design-Denise Woolery
This is an example of a huge tropical full sun backyard stone water fountain landscape in Santa Barbara.

This oasis in Calgary's Pump Hill is the perfect outdoor getaway. An in-ground pool with waterfall, custom stainless steel hot tub, outdoor kitchen, wrought iron fence with stone pillars, numerous masonry features including stone inlays on the steps and various Pennsylvania Blue Stone inlays in the patio make this garden truly memorable. Three separate and expansive green spaces with multiple planting beds, and rundle feature rocks throughout the property allow this busy family many opportunities to spread out and play. Photo Credit: Jamen Rhodes

Fishel Pools is the number one custom pool builder in Springfield, Missouri and the surrounding area. Since 1976, Fishel designs have earned numerous design awards for creativity and craftsmanship. Whether it’s a backyard paradise or a large commercial project, every Fishel Pool is custom-designed and built with your specific needs in mind. No cookie-cutter pools. Ever! Over 1,000 unique Fishel designs can be found at residences, country clubs, hospitals, community and neighborhood’s, camps, resort’s, and multi-family residential complexes. Contact Fishel Pools today to find out more and remember “When it has to be the best, it’s a Fishel!” Kaycee Johnson Photography

Steven's Gold System in Kenosha, Wisconsin demonstrates the professional look of a Pro Dunk hoop. And, the way it accents the front yard that entices numerous people to gently shake their head "yes." This is a Pro Dunk Gold Basketball System that was purchased in July of 2012. It was installed on a 30 ft wide by a 20 ft deep playing area in Kenosha, WI. Browse all of Steven G's photos navigate to: http://www.produnkhoops.com/photos/albums/steven-30x20-pro-dunk-gold-basketball-system-226/

Building a Dream Home For the past 30 years, John Bleeker has been designing notable homes and renowned buildings in the area, which have been published in numerous magazines. Mr. Bleeker, an award winning architect of Bleeker Architectural Group, chose Braen Supply as the provider for the materials for his own home. He felt that Braen Supply was the most trustworthy and reliable source for materials as he designed his dream home. Mr. Bleeker was looking for a particular coloration of materials that Braen Supply would be providing. In order to meet the needs of the customer, a custom blend of granites were created providing him with the exact coloration that he was looking for. The remaining materials were selected to correspond with the custom blend, creating a home that anyone would dream to live in. Bleeker Architectural Group has been designing notable homes and buildings in the area since 1999.

The expansive mountain and city vistas are transfixing in this masterful backyard retreat. With expansive timber framing, this outdoor kitchen and patio renovation were meant to be an extension of this home. The homeowners wanted a space where they could "spill out" onto during numerous functions that the family hosts for both relatives and friends. So that's what VisionScapes set out to give them. An expansive network of granite counters under the covered timber structure provide ample prep space and space for dining in a casual bar like atmosphere. The patio with a built in gas fire table, a sheltered sitting area under the open timber pergola, custom flagstone patios and stairs are some of the other features in this stunning backyard. Photo Credit: Jamen Rhodes

The homeowners also wanted to ensure the new sun shade pergola would feel like an extension of the home’s colonial style, while allowing then to move from the indoor space to the patio without getting wet. With no externally visible hardware, the clean exterior lines of the Azenco R-Blade blended perfectly with the home’s traditional colonial stylings. To ensure complete all-weather rain protection, the design team overlapped the pergola roof with the home’s roofline to provide the same seamless feel as a pergola attached to the house. Covering this massive patio also meant the captured rain waters needed to be dispersed to keep the patio below dry. To accommodate the heavy anticipated flow, the hidden internal gutter system split runoff from the six pergola zones and deposited it in numerous surrounding planter beds.

The homeowners also wanted to ensure the new sun shade pergola would feel like an extension of the home’s colonial style, while allowing then to move from the indoor space to the patio without getting wet. With no externally visible hardware, the clean exterior lines of the Azenco R-Blade blended perfectly with the home’s traditional colonial stylings. To ensure complete all-weather rain protection, the design team overlapped the pergola roof with the home’s roofline to provide the same seamless feel as a pergola attached to the house. Covering this massive patio also meant the captured rain waters needed to be dispersed to keep the patio below dry. To accommodate the heavy anticipated flow, the hidden internal gutter system split runoff from the six pergola zones and deposited it in numerous surrounding planter beds.