Growing Pileas is not only a matter of good care, but also a matter of being extremely patient. Sometimes leaves break when you water the plants, which can be the start of a nice experiment. We put one of those leaves into soil and kept watering it every now and then. Result: it started to root! Credits: instagram.com/houtje.touwtje

Designed by Jens Bunte of Reico Kitchen & Bath, this transitional style kitchen design features Merillat Classic cabinets in the Spring Valley door style in Mist with a Desert Glaze finish except for the kitchen island cabinets, which hand finished by the clients’ contractor. The kitchen also features a Cambria Montgomery countertop on the perimeter of the kitchen and a Caesarstone London Grey Honed countertop on the kitchen island. For Jens working with the clients was a pleasure. “Their attention to detail was such a breath of fresh air and it really was all of the little things that brought this design together and turned it into such a special space. My favorite aspects of this project really came down to the details: a custom-designed bar area that doubles as functional storage space; the use of additional doors and trim to match their recessed pantry to the rest of the kitchen and really bring the space together; the use of Honey Bronze hardware and French Wire on some of the doors to add details that impacted the overall look. They were so gracious and patient during the COVID-19 pandemic and truly embodied what it means to work as a team when it comes to the client-designer-contractor relationship.” Added the client, “Jens was a joy to work with. We discussed budget for the project, and she guided us to the cabinet options that would work best for us. When it came to countertops, Reico’s selection was incredible. Jens kept us fully informed at every step. We love everything that she helped us with.” Photos courtesy of Frank Biganski, AgentsChoice360.

A client fell in love with this sweet grey jay. It reminded her of her beloved aunt who loved birds, so she wanted it installed on a very simple background that reflected a gloomy day. So I inlay the bird and petrified wood tree in a 12" x 12" Carrera marble tile. This piece has the grounding and patient energy found in petrified wood, green tourmaline needles lends joy and happiness energy, and the marble background exudes grounding and serenity energies.

Houston Interior Designer Lisha Maxey took this Museum District condo from the dated, mirrored walls of the 1980s to Mid Century Modern with a gallery look featuring the client's art collection. "The place was covered with glued-down, floor-to-ceiling mirrors," says Lisha Maxey, senior designer for Homescapes of Houston and principal at LGH Design Services in Houston. "When we took them off the walls, the walls came apart. We ended up taking them down to the studs." The makeover took six months to complete, primarily because of strict condo association rules that only gave the Houston interior designers very limited access to the elevator - through which all materials and team members had to go. "Monday through Friday, we could only be noisy from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and if we had to do something extra loud, like sawing or drilling, we had to schedule it with the management and they had to communicate that to the condo owners. So it was just a lot of coordination. But a lot of Inner City Loopers live in these kinds of buildings, so we're used to handling that kind of thing." The client, a child psychiatrist in her 60s, recently moved to Houston from northeast Texas to be with friends. After being widowed three years ago, she decided it was time to let go of the traditionally styled estate that wasn't really her style anyway. An avid diver who has traveled around the world to pursue her passion, she has amassed a large collection of art from her travels. Downsizing to 1,600 feet and wanting to go more contemporary, she wanted the display - and the look - more streamlined. "She wanted clean lines and muted colors, with the main focus being her artwork," says Maxey. "So we made the space a palette for that." Enter the white, gallery-grade paint she chose for the walls: "It's halfway between satin and flat," explains Maxey. "It's not glossy and it's not chalky - just very smooth and clean." Adding to the gallery theme is the satin nickel track lighting with lamps aimed to highlight pieces of art. "This lighting has no wires," notes Maxey. "It's powered by a positive and negative conduit." The new flooring throughout is a blended-grey porcelain tile that looks like wood planks. "It's gorgeous, natural-looking and combines all the beauty of wood with the durability of tile," says Maxey. "We used it throughout the condo to unify the space." After Maxey started looking at the client's bright, vibrant, colorful artwork, she felt the palette couldn't stay as muted anymore. Hence the Mid Century Modern orange leather sofas from West Elm and bright green chairs from Joybird, plus the throw pillows in different textures, patterns and shades of gold, orange and green. The concave lines of the Danish-inspired chairs, she notes, help them look beautiful from all the way around - a key to designing spaces for loft living. "The table in the living room is very interesting," notes Maxey. "It was handmade for the client in 1974 and has a signature on it from the artist. She was adamant about including the piece, which has all these hand-painted black-and-white art tiles on the top. I took one look at it and said 'It's not really going to go.'" However, after cutting 6 inches off the bottom and making it look a little distressed, the table ended up being the perfect complement to the sofas. The dining room table - from Design Within Reach - is a solid piece of mahogany, the chair upholstery a mix of grey velvet and leather and the legs a shiny brass. "The side chairs are leather and the end ones are velvet," says Maxey. "It's a nice textural mix that lends depth and texture." Over the table hang Fast Jack Saluti pendant lights from Edge Lighting. The galley kitchen, meanwhile, has been lightened and brightened, with white quartz countertops and backsplashes mimicking the look of Carrara marble, stainless steel appliances and a velvet green bench seat for a punch of color. The cabinets are painted a cool grey color called "Silverplate." The two bathrooms have been updated with contemporary white vanities and vessel sinks and the master bath now features a walk-in shower tiled in Dolomite white marble (the floor is Bianco Carrara marble mosaic, done in a herringbone pattern. In the master bedroom, Homescapes of Houston knocked down a wall between two smaller closets with swing doors to make one large walk-in closet with pocket doors. The closet in the guest bedroom also came out 13 more inches. The client's artwork throughout personalizes the space and tells the story of a life. There's a huge bowl of shells from the client's diving adventures, framed art from her child psychiatry patients and a 16th century wood carving from a monastery that's been in her family forever. "Her collection is quite impressive," says Maxey. "There's even a framed piece of autographed songs written by John Lennon." (You can see this black-framed piece of art on the wall in the photo above of two green chairs). "We're extremely happy with how the project turned out, and so is the client," says Maxey. "No expense was spared for her. It was a labor of love and we were excited to do it."

Designed by Katherine Dashiell of Reico Kitchen & Bath in Annapolis MD in collaboration with Lauer Construction, this transitional two-finish white and blue kitchen features Merillat Classic perimeter cabinets in the door style Ralston with Cotton finish complemented with Green Forest Park island cabinets in the Park Place door style with a Norfolk Blue finish. The kitchen includes Silestone Pietra countertops on the perimeter with an Ash Butcher Block countertop for the island. The design also includes a Diamante Bevel 4x8 Gloss White tile backsplash. “I love our new kitchen! Katherine and Angel we so patient with me throughout this process,” said the client. Photos courtesy of BTW Images LLC.

Lauren Hunt from Reico Kitchen and Bath in Charlotte, NC, worked with The Atta Group to design a transitional-inspired kitchen and bar using Masterpiece cabinetry. The kitchen features Masterpiece cabinets in the Martel Evercore doorstyle in a Frost finish on the perimeter. The kitchen island and bar area both features the same doorstyle with a combination of two different finishes, Riverbed and Shortbread. The countertops are Calacatta Macchia Vecchia Sapien Stone Porcelain. The client shared their experience, saying, “I love the range hood and the slatted island decor. Riverbed is a beautiful color in both sun and shade. Lauren’s advice to get samples and lay them out in different lighting was invaluable. She went above and beyond, even coming out in the parking lot on a hot summer day to help us. We truly couldn’t have done this without her. Lauren was always patient and supportive as we made decisions, and she never pressured us. Any future projects we have, we’ll 100% reach out to Lauren. She even welcomed our newborn to the showroom!” Lauren shared, “The clients came with a clear aesthetic vision and plenty of inspiration photos, but they gave me the freedom to recommend and create a space that worked for their growing family while still looking great. We added design details like two-toned dining room cabinets, dark accent shelves in glass towers, an arched valance to match the doorways, and a custom hood that pulls from the island finishes. My favorite element is the slatted accent on the island, which the installers executed perfectly. This renovation was a big project, starting with a blank slate, which can be overwhelming with so many options. But it was incredibly rewarding to work with these clients who had such a creative vision. We really worked together to create a space that met their needs while showcasing their style. It was a team effort, and I hope that comes through in the final design.” Photos courtesy of Six Cents Media.

Designed by Katherine Dashiell of Reico Kitchen & Bath in Annapolis MD in collaboration with Lauer Construction, this transitional two-finish white and blue kitchen features Merillat Classic perimeter cabinets in the door style Ralston with Cotton finish complemented with Green Forest Park island cabinets in the Park Place door style with a Norfolk Blue finish. The kitchen includes Silestone Pietra countertops on the perimeter with an Ash Butcher Block countertop for the island. The design also includes a Diamante Bevel 4x8 Gloss White tile backsplash. “I love our new kitchen! Katherine and Angel we so patient with me throughout this process,” said the client. Photos courtesy of BTW Images LLC.

This was a mission critical exterior door installation as this home is right on the water looking over to Fauntleroy and it gets a lot of intense weather. It was critical that we identify all of the problematic water intrusion points when we pulled out the old failed door. We did a patient and comprehensive test of the exterior to make sure we had identified all of the problem areas before we began interior restoration. As you can see the exterior of the home is clad in galvanized paneling so we had to remove all of that to install the door and restore all of the exterior before we put it all back. The client was very pleased with the thorough approach we took to the project

Sunset Heights Renovation This Victorian style home was beautifully designed from the interior to the exterior. Our clients were looking to update the outdoor space, not only was it not functional, but it did not complement their Victorian home. Although we had a yearlong waiting list for design, our clients were patient and hired us for 3D design. Many times, our clients already have all the components in place, such as a pool, outdoor kitchen, fireplace, pergola etc., but they just don’t feel right. The most important feature of our client’s new space was not only the components, but to be able to have a space that would allow them to create a lifetime of memories. From a visual perspective their existing space seemed limited and confined. Our design team was able to see past this and expanded its space to its full potential which allowed us to create multiple destinations for relaxation, enjoyment and most importantly entertainment. As we began the design process, we were able to take a closer look at the existing space and noticed many safety concerns and how the existing materials did not accentuate the home either. At the completion of their 3D design, we were able to present new ideas and materials that would enhance the value of the home as well as help them visualize the new space created with multiple destinations. Ivory travertine coping & decking was a must as was the Talavera blue highlighted tiles for the newly renovated pool. A new working spa and functional outdoor kitchen with bar were two spaces we are sure they would enjoy while spending time outdoors. We enlarged the existing covered patio to expand the seating area to include chaise lounges, a loveseat and chairs under the pergola shade accent. Newest favorite additions are the gas firepit and cabin play fort which can be highly utilized year-round. Our clients say, “The adults love hanging out in the fort too!” Nestled in the Historic District, our client’s home is now filled with plenty of space and great energy for family gatherings, parties, watching sports, graduations and so much more. Who knows, maybe a future wedding or two! Memories of a lifetime will be made here for years to come! Architecture and lifestyle are always our focus when designing feel good and functional spaces for our clients!

This is a brand new custom home we built for some clients at Cowichan Lake. It has been built with SIPS panels (Structurally Insulated Panel System) from Insulspan. This is an alternative to traditional stick framing that is a prefabricated wall system that is a six inch wall made of wood and filled with styrofoam. The exterior of the home uses a combination of brick, stucco, tile, and an amazing vertical charred cedar exterior cladding. With the help of Chris Wiebe from Energy Experts who is our energy advisor the home has achieved level 4 in the step code which means it is super energy efficient and super air tight. The home has a great flow and has ikea kitchens, quartz countertops, and some incredible lighting solutions the client had imported from China. These clients have a wonderful modern sense of style and were very patient with us through the building process. Building a home like this is a trying process. Getting out of the ground was a challenge and the unconventional exterior cladding choices caused some stress along the way.

Lauren Hunt from Reico Kitchen and Bath in Charlotte, NC, worked with The Atta Group to design a transitional-inspired kitchen and bar using Masterpiece cabinetry. The kitchen features Masterpiece cabinets in the Martel Evercore doorstyle in a Frost finish on the perimeter. The kitchen island and bar area both features the same doorstyle with a combination of two different finishes, Riverbed and Shortbread. The countertops are Calacatta Macchia Vecchia Sapien Stone Porcelain. The client shared their experience, saying, “I love the range hood and the slatted island decor. Riverbed is a beautiful color in both sun and shade. Lauren’s advice to get samples and lay them out in different lighting was invaluable. She went above and beyond, even coming out in the parking lot on a hot summer day to help us. We truly couldn’t have done this without her. Lauren was always patient and supportive as we made decisions, and she never pressured us. Any future projects we have, we’ll 100% reach out to Lauren. She even welcomed our newborn to the showroom!” Lauren shared, “The clients came with a clear aesthetic vision and plenty of inspiration photos, but they gave me the freedom to recommend and create a space that worked for their growing family while still looking great. We added design details like two-toned dining room cabinets, dark accent shelves in glass towers, an arched valance to match the doorways, and a custom hood that pulls from the island finishes. My favorite element is the slatted accent on the island, which the installers executed perfectly. This renovation was a big project, starting with a blank slate, which can be overwhelming with so many options. But it was incredibly rewarding to work with these clients who had such a creative vision. We really worked together to create a space that met their needs while showcasing their style. It was a team effort, and I hope that comes through in the final design.” Photos courtesy of Six Cents Media.

Lauren Hunt from Reico Kitchen and Bath in Charlotte, NC, worked with The Atta Group to design a transitional-inspired kitchen and bar using Masterpiece cabinetry. The kitchen features Masterpiece cabinets in the Martel Evercore doorstyle in a Frost finish on the perimeter. The kitchen island and bar area both features the same doorstyle with a combination of two different finishes, Riverbed and Shortbread. The countertops are Calacatta Macchia Vecchia Sapien Stone Porcelain. The client shared their experience, saying, “I love the range hood and the slatted island decor. Riverbed is a beautiful color in both sun and shade. Lauren’s advice to get samples and lay them out in different lighting was invaluable. She went above and beyond, even coming out in the parking lot on a hot summer day to help us. We truly couldn’t have done this without her. Lauren was always patient and supportive as we made decisions, and she never pressured us. Any future projects we have, we’ll 100% reach out to Lauren. She even welcomed our newborn to the showroom!” Lauren shared, “The clients came with a clear aesthetic vision and plenty of inspiration photos, but they gave me the freedom to recommend and create a space that worked for their growing family while still looking great. We added design details like two-toned dining room cabinets, dark accent shelves in glass towers, an arched valance to match the doorways, and a custom hood that pulls from the island finishes. My favorite element is the slatted accent on the island, which the installers executed perfectly. This renovation was a big project, starting with a blank slate, which can be overwhelming with so many options. But it was incredibly rewarding to work with these clients who had such a creative vision. We really worked together to create a space that met their needs while showcasing their style. It was a team effort, and I hope that comes through in the final design.” Photos courtesy of Six Cents Media.

Designed by Lisa Gebhart of Reico Kitchen & Bath in King of Prussia PA in collaboration with Gebhart Remodeling, this kitchen and mudroom design features Merillat Classic cabinets in the door style Glenrock with 5-piece drawer in Maple Cotton. The kitchen countertops are Silestone Eternal Calacatta Gold. “The client was in desperate need of a new kitchen,” said Lisa. “Their existing cabinet doors were literally falling off. We went through many design revisions and changes until we finally landed on the final design. They wanted to incorporate open shelving as well as some glass cabinetry, but was having a hard time envisioning where and how. In the end, it all came together for the client. One of my favorite things about the space is the live-edge wood tops as well as the overall flow of the layout. The old kitchen had an island that did not fit the space well that we redesigned. The matching wood hood in lieu of a traditional other the range microwave gave added a nice personal touch as well.” “The hardest part of the project was making selections. There are so many options,” said the client. “Lisa was integral to the success of this project. She was practical, realistic and challenged me to really think about my needs and what I was looking for. She was extremely patient and always willing to help me and answer all of my questions throughout the process.” “Her best suggestion was not to think about what anyone else says and choose what I would love, and I’m so glad I did! My original design evolved into the perfect “me” space. I love the space I now have in my new kitchen!” Photos courtesy of Dan Williams Photography.

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Patio - large rustic backyard concrete paver patio idea in Austin with a gazebo

Homearama 2016: An Introduction Welcome to Homearama 2016: An Introduction where we will take you into the process for creating a showcase home – a phenomenal 12 month long project filled with plenty of blood, sweat and tears. Mostly sweat with the actual even held in middle of a regular Kentucky July – consistently high 90s and a humidity that can steam any pair of glasses. Our Team Nevertheless, we are so proud of all those who helped contribute to creating a beautiful home for our ever-patient homeowners. This gorgeous “Southern Belle” took home 3 of the 6 awards given by the Building Industry Association at the River Crest Development: Best Kitchen Cabinetry (M&H Cabinetry), Best Closet Design (Closets by Design), and Best Lighting (Ferguson). Also cheers to our builder, Chad Stoyell of Stoyell Built Homes for winning 3rd place in the popular vote for Best Builder! He, of course, is at the top of our list as Stoyell Built Homes pride themselves in custom homes built with impeccable craftsmanship. Our Southern Belle did not detour from his reputation! Beautifully executed detail can be found everywhere from the hot/cold exterior hose hookup to the wooden dormer over the front porch. In addition, the house is a looker – a home you can’t find in just any neighborhood. Notice the bold symmetry with the stone walls flanking the large front porch. Windows placed high on either side of the front facade provide plenty of light while maintaining privacy. Our landscaper, Chad Rodgers, complemented the symmetry with matching Japanese Maples that in due time will grow up to be perfectly positioned. Concrete planters anchor the front door, while bold blue rocking chairs brighten up the facade two by two. Natural Wood Elements Chad Stoyell, the builder, used real material throughout the house and the front door is no exception. This beauty is made of solid wood. The natural beauty of wood is continued in this wooden open dormer. The lighting fixture keeps that southern charm going with lantern accents – also seen in the fixtures flanking the garage door. Hydrangeas line the driveway along the side of the house. Great craftsmanship on the shake siding and stone application. View of the back porch, including two seating areas-a cozy fireplace and a patio for those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer! And on a final note, we just love the accessibility of the patio from the garage! The door to the right of the table and chairs leads directly into the garage! Stay tuned for what door #2 leads to…. Stay Tuned for More Hope you liked our introduction on this great project – Homearama 2016! Please stay tuned for more insight on the design process of each space. I can’t wait to show you the inside of this Southern Belle. Enjoy!

Designed by Carolina Maholik of Reico Kitchen & Bath in Chantilly, VA, this multi bathroom remodeling project features a traditional style inspired design across five bathrooms. Each bathroom features Greenfield Cabinetry vanity cabinets in the door style Jackson Inset in the Gardenia finish, paired with Silestone countertops in Eternal Calacatta Gold in Suede. “The home is as beautiful as the owners. They had existing Greenfield cabinetry throughout the home that set us up for a beautiful flow into the primary suite,” said Carolina. “The primary bathroom was transformed with a beautiful cabinet layout for dual use as well as custom details for full function of their daily routines. The natural light with the neutral white allowed us to help the space beam in beauty. The other bathrooms followed suit with more traditional setups for ease of use in each individual’s space. The clients were amazingly patient and kind throughout the process and a joy to work with.” Added the client, “My Reico team was priceless to our success, managing everything professionally to finish the project. I love the clean, updated look of all the bathrooms.” Photos courtesy of BTW Images.

Example of a mid-sized classic backyard concrete and rectangular lap pool fountain design in Austin

Kayla Carter of Reico Kitchen & Bath in Wilmington, NC, collaborated with Adam Aberte to design a traditional-style kitchen featuring Green Forest Cabinetry in the Brookside door style with a Glazed Ivory finish. The space is complemented by Silestone Lusso countertops and Wow Fez White tile. The client shared, “The hardest part of this remodeling project was making decisions. Kayla was key to the success of this project. She was patient, understanding, and always had a positive attitude. Her taste and help with color and design were invaluable. What I love most about my new kitchen is how beautiful and functional it is. With all the new drawer storage and improved accessibility, there are no more dead zones.” Kayla added, “The biggest challenge was working with a small space, so we focused on adding storage, especially with roll-out tray drawers, to make the most of it. I enjoyed building a great relationship with the client through the entire process.” Photos courtesy of Skyvue Real Estate & Commercial Photography.

Example of a transitional bathroom design in Austin