Summer will soon be knocking at your door, begging you to come outside and spend time in its warm sunshine. The nicer weather means hosting family barbecues and parties, kicking back in the shade with a good book or floating around in the pool, allowing the stresses of everyday life to slowly drift away. Outdoor Seating - Sectional Is your back yard ready for all of the summertime fun? More specifically, take a good look at your patio furniture. Perhaps certain pieces should be spruced up or repurposed, while others may need to be replaced altogether. Whether you’re dealing with a big or small project, don’t let the details intimidate you. With the right preparation and planning, you can transform your outdoor living space into an oasis where everyone can relax and enjoy themselves. Choose Your Aesthetic Before you dive into an outdoor renovation and end up feeling like you’re drowning in all of the possibilities and decisions, take some time to think about how you envision your new space. How will you be using it? Do you spend more time entertaining or relaxing? What kind of seating do you need? Does it need to be kid- and/or pet-friendly? Do you prefer clean, modern lines or playful, colorful textures? Do you like harder surfaces, such as wood, or softer ones, like cushions? Addressing these questions should help you narrow down the outdoor seating options that work best for your family. Get Trendy Once you’ve honed in on your desired aesthetic, start putting your ideas into action. Looking at this year’s trends can help. For instance, the biggest trend of 2017 is bringing the indoor look outdoors. This theme incorporates plush sofas made from durable fabrics, side tables, ottomans, vibrant-colored throw pillows and outdoor rugs. To protect their outdoor living room, many homeowners also opt for a patio cover, which can be either a hard cover or soft awning. Outdoor Seating - Benches This year’s outdoor furniture also blends wood-grain finishes with worn surface textures and pairs neutral colors with pastels for a washed-out effect. When it comes to dining tables and chairs, classic wrought-iron tea garden furniture is always in style. Go Green Adding a new chair or replacing an entire outdoor living room can be a great opportunity to bring in materials that look great and are also good for the environment. You can make your own (try these ideas from WooHome) or purchase eco-friendly furniture from shops such as Breezesta and Viesso, which offer “green” seating options in a variety of styles and colors. Create A Warm Front While you’ll probably focus on furnishing your back yard, don’t forget to pay some attention to the front of your house, too. Curb appeal counts – it’s the first thing your friends and neighbors see, so making a good impression is a must. Be sure to keep the area clean. As for décor, don’t over-decorate. A simple rocking chair or swing can generate a warm, welcoming feeling for all. Stay On Budget Outdoor Seating - Wicker Whether money is no object or you follow a strict budget, options are available for every wallet. High-end luxury furniture sites such as Frontgate, offer posh designer couches, mosaic dining tables, cushioned hammocks and even a hanging daybed. However, affordable, luxurious-looking options are available, too — especially if you’re not afraid to roll up your sleeves and do some of the work yourself. Pinterest provides countless design inspirations for do-it-yourselfers, such as repurposing an old tire into a cushioned seat and building a lawn chair using wood pallets, among others. Plus, check out money-saving suggestions from Better Homes and Gardens’ Budget-Friendly Ideas for Outdoor Rooms, DIY Network’s 10 Outdoor Rooms on a Budget and HGTV’s 25 Budget-Friendly Ideas for Small Outdoor Spaces. Remember, you don’t have to do everything at once. Concentrate on small areas and budget your time and money for the items that will best fit each space. Have you recently redone your outdoor living space? We’d love to see photos! Post them in the comments below.

For more information and additional photos of this project, which we both designed and built, go to http://a1builders.ws/2011/08/tired-bathroom-needed-rejuvenation-we-brought-it-back-to-life/

The design for this home in Palo Alto looked to create a union between the interior and exterior, blending the spaces in such a way as to allow residents to move seamlessly between the two environments. Expansive glazing was used throughout the home to complement this union, looking out onto a swimming pool centrally located within the courtyard. Within the living room, a large operable skylight brings in plentiful sunlight, while utilizing self tinting glass that adjusts to various lighting conditions throughout the day to ensure optimal comfort. For the exterior, a living wall was added to the garage that continues into the backyard. Extensive landscaping and a gabion wall was also created to provide privacy and contribute to the sense of the home as a tranquil oasis.

This walk-in closet embodies the perfect blend of elegance and function. Outfitted with rich, dark-toned cabinetry, the space exudes a sense of luxury while maintaining a warm, grounded atmosphere. Each element—from the floor-to-ceiling storage towers to the precisely proportioned drawers—was custom-designed to meet the specific needs of the homeowners. Natural light filters in through a wide horizontal window, softening the depth of the cabinetry's finish and enhancing visibility throughout the space. The strategic placement of open shelving, hanging rods, and enclosed drawers ensures that everything from seasonal coats to accessories has a designated home. This smart zoning makes daily routines more efficient and transforms the closet into a space you actually enjoy using. The light oak flooring introduces a welcome contrast to the darker cabinetry, creating balance and preventing the space from feeling heavy. Overhead, a flush-mounted fixture provides even illumination, so the closet remains bright and functional at all hours. Every detail, from the hardware to the spacing between compartments, reflects thoughtful craftsmanship and precision planning. In the context of this modern family home, the walk-in closet is more than just storage—it's a personal sanctuary for organization, preparation, and a touch of everyday indulgence.

School settings require students to maintain concentration and sit still for long periods of time throughout the day. Needless to say, that can be tough not only for teenagers but adults as well. Harnessing sheer roller shades to cover classroom windows helps ensure sunlight doesn’t become a hindrance in the path of education, but a facilitator of better learning. By diffusing sunlight that enters the classrooms, students don’t suffer the negative cognitive impact of harsh glare that’s strainful on the eyes. Instead, they enjoy the benefits sunlight plays in maintaining alertness and attentiveness. Classroom window shades that provide better privacy also help to keep outside distractions from interfering with the lessons, keeping students focused on the subject at hand. The right use of colorful roller shades can also complement sensory cues for focus created by the classroom environment. Talk to Master Blinds’ design team to see what roller shades can offer your classroom spaces. Get in touch with us at 877-708-5883 to schedule a free in-person consultation with no obligation for more details!

Our client wanted a rustic chic look for their covered porch. We gave the crown molding and trim a more formal look, but kept the floor and roof more rustic. At Atlanta Porch & Patio we are dedicated to building beautiful custom porches, decks, and outdoor living spaces throughout the metro Atlanta area. Our mission is to turn our clients’ ideas, dreams, and visions into personalized, tangible outcomes. Clients of Atlanta Porch & Patio rest easy knowing each step of their project is performed to the highest standards of honesty, integrity, and dependability. Our team of builders and craftsmen are licensed, insured, and always up to date on trends, products, designs, and building codes. We are constantly educating ourselves in order to provide our clients the best services at the best prices. We deliver the ultimate professional experience with every step of our projects. After setting up a consultation through our website or by calling the office, we will meet with you in your home to discuss all of your ideas and concerns. After our initial meeting and site consultation, we will compile a detailed design plan and quote complete with renderings and a full listing of the materials to be used. Upon your approval, we will then draw up the necessary paperwork and decide on a project start date. From demo to cleanup, we strive to deliver your ultimate relaxation destination on time and on budget.

Mid-sized minimalist wooden straight cable railing staircase photo in New York with wooden risers

School settings require students to maintain concentration and sit still for long periods of time throughout the day. Needless to say, that can be tough not only for teenagers but adults as well. Harnessing sheer roller shades to cover classroom windows helps ensure sunlight doesn’t become a hindrance in the path of education, but a facilitator of better learning. By diffusing sunlight that enters the classrooms, students don’t suffer the negative cognitive impact of harsh glare that’s strainful on the eyes. Instead, they enjoy the benefits sunlight plays in maintaining alertness and attentiveness. Classroom window shades that provide better privacy also help to keep outside distractions from interfering with the lessons, keeping students focused on the subject at hand. The right use of colorful roller shades can also complement sensory cues for focus created by the classroom environment. Talk to Master Blinds’ design team to see what roller shades can offer your classroom spaces. Get in touch with us at 877-708-5883 to schedule a free in-person consultation with no obligation for more details!

This lovely white home office optimizes natural daylight. The new, enlarged window with transom lights above mirrors the shape of the kitchen window in the room next door, so that the exterior facade has a harmonious symmetry. The built-in desk and built-in corner shelving contain ample storage space for office sundries, and the custom fabric covered bulletin board offers display space for personal memorabilia. A white Aeron chair gives this traditional room a note of modern style. For this project WKD was asked to design a new kitchen, and new millwork in the adjacent family room, creating more of a kitchen lounge. They were also asked to find space for a much needed walk-in pantry, reconfigure a home office and create a mudroom. By moving walls and reorienting doors, spaces were reconfigured to provide more storage and a more welcoming atmosphere. A feature of this kitchen remodel was the unusual combination of a glass counter top for dining, which meets the granite of the island. The custom painted floor creates a happy balance with all the wood tones in the room. Photos by Michael Lee

A pantry that has it all! Sliding baskets, drawers corner shelving and vertical storage (for baking pans and books) – the dream pantry for many! Pennington, NJ 08534. Closet Possible

School settings require students to maintain concentration and sit still for long periods of time throughout the day. Needless to say, that can be tough not only for teenagers but adults as well. Harnessing sheer roller shades to cover classroom windows helps ensure sunlight doesn’t become a hindrance in the path of education, but a facilitator of better learning. By diffusing sunlight that enters the classrooms, students don’t suffer the negative cognitive impact of harsh glare that’s strainful on the eyes. Instead, they enjoy the benefits sunlight plays in maintaining alertness and attentiveness. Classroom window shades that provide better privacy also help to keep outside distractions from interfering with the lessons, keeping students focused on the subject at hand. The right use of colorful roller shades can also complement sensory cues for focus created by the classroom environment. Talk to Master Blinds’ design team to see what roller shades can offer your classroom spaces. Get in touch with us at 877-708-5883 to schedule a free in-person consultation with no obligation for more details!

Space-Saving Solutions: Maximizing every inch of your small white walk-in closet is essential. Our design incorporates ingenious space-saving features like pull-out racks, vertical storage, and built-in drawers to make the most of your limited space while maintaining a sleek, uncluttered look.

StudioBell
Open concept kitchen - industrial galley dark wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen idea in Nashville with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, paneled appliances, no island and gray countertops

Master Bathroom with a gray monochromatic look with accents of porcelain tile and floating wood vanity and brass hardware. Also featuring modern lighting, jack and jill sinks, and textured wall finish.

The goal for this space was to provide a low-maintenance, child-friendly, contemporary garden that aligns with the Client's interior design style. Thermory heat-treated ash is used throughout, and will be allowed to silver in time. Custom seating area is sized to accommodate a folding dining table hidden away in the garage. four storage areas lie within the benches to store pillows and toys. Corten steel veggie planter runs along the sunny side of the yard for easy access from the kitchen. Long corten steel bench/planter provides access to the chalkboard as well as informal seating for large outdoor parties. String lights provide ample light for dining, while lower "dot" lights provide subtle illumination along the pathways for easy and discrete navigation at night.

Designed by Lux Decor. Photographed by Angela Auclair Photography
Bedroom - large traditional master dark wood floor bedroom idea in Montreal with gray walls, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround

Designed by Lux Decor. Photographed by Angela Auclair Photography
Bedroom - large traditional master dark wood floor bedroom idea in Montreal with gray walls, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround