In the summer of 2012 we embarked on a remodel of our 1912 Craftsman. We wanted to redo the kitchen and the upper floor which contained the master bedroom, bathroom, guest room and office. We interviewed approximately 5 other architects prior to finding Mark. We knew right away he was the right person for the job. He was patient, thorough and we could tell he truly loved our home and wanted to work with us to make it even better. His vast experience showed through during the interview process which validated his portfolio. Mark truly became a trusted advisor who would guide us through this remodel process from beginning to end. His planning was precise and he came by many times to re-measure to get every detail accounted for. He was patient and helpful as we made decisions and then changed our minds! He was with us every week of the 10 weeks of the remodel. He attended each weekly meeting with the General Contractor and was at the house numerous other times guiding and really looking out for our best interests. I came to trust him enough to ask his opinion on almost everything from layout to colors and decorating tips! He consistently threw out ideas....many of which we took. Additionally Mark was a tremendous help in referring us to contractors, designers, and retailers to help us along the way. I am ecstatic over the results of the remodel. The kitchen and bath are truly beautiful and full of modern conveniences while maintaining the integrity of the 1912 structure. We were right about our decision to hire Mark and we wholehearted recommend him as an outstanding architect, and more!!

Example of a trendy living room design in Other

Designers gave the house a wood-and-steel façade that blends traditional and industrial elements.Photography by Eric Hausman Designers gave the house a wood-and-steel façade that blends traditional and industrial elements. This home’s noteworthy steel shipping container construction material, offers a streamlined aesthetic and industrial vibe, with sustainable attributes and strength. Recycled shipping containers are fireproof, impervious to water and stronger than traditional building materials. Inside, muscular concrete walls, burnished cedar beams and custom oak cabinetry give the living spaces definition, decorative might, and storage and seating options. For more than 40 years, Fredman Design Group has been in the business of Interior Design. Throughout the years, we’ve built long-lasting relationships with our clients through our client-centric approach. When creating designs, our decisions depend on the personality of our clients—their dreams and their aspirations. We manifest their lifestyle by incorporating elements of design with those of our clients to create a unique environment, down to the details of the upholstery and accessories. We love it when a home feels finished and lived in, with various layers and textures. While each of our clients and their stories has varied over the years, they’ve come to trust us with their projects—whether it’s a single room to the larger complete renovation, addition, or new construction. They value the collaborative team that is behind each project, embracing the diversity that each designer is able to bring to their project through their love of art, travel, fashion, nature, history, architecture or film—ultimately falling in love with the nurturing environments we create for them. We are grateful for the opportunity to tell each of clients’ stories through design. What story can we help you tell? Call us today to schedule your complimentary consultation - 312-587-9184

From the owner: We were referred to Pam McPeak of Southern Places by a family friend who utilized her services on a recent project. We met Pam in person initially to share our ideas and photos of our existing space. As usual, first impressions are essential for building trust and credibility. Pam was not only personable and professional but also willing to listen to our ideas, for which we are truly grateful. Our project, which we initially thought would be a simple refresh, was quite a surprise. It included fresh paint, furniture upgrades, new artwork, and, most unexpectedly, the installation of a large wall mural. Never in a hundred years would we have selected a wall panel mural on our own. It was outside of our design comfort zone. Sensing this, Pam walked us through hanging a wallpaper-based mural, asking us to trust her, which we did. She surrounded it with a matching wooden frame, which looked incredible. Another thing we liked about Pam's style was that she was very willing to work with pieces that had special significance to us and that we did not want to give up. She showed a unique talent for blending the old with the new. Finally, there were a couple of times when we only partially agreed with a piece or display that Pam had suggested. She worked with us to get things to make the tweaks necessary to get it just right. Needless to say, we are very pleased with how it turned out. Once a mere room, our space has been transformed into a place of inspiration and comfort, a testament to Pam's expertise and experience.

From the owner: We were referred to Pam McPeak of Southern Places by a family friend who utilized her services on a recent project. We met Pam in person initially to share our ideas and photos of our existing space. As usual, first impressions are essential for building trust and credibility. Pam was not only personable and professional but also willing to listen to our ideas, for which we are truly grateful. Our project, which we initially thought would be a simple refresh, was quite a surprise. It included fresh paint, furniture upgrades, new artwork, and, most unexpectedly, the installation of a large wall mural. Never in a hundred years would we have selected a wall panel mural on our own. It was outside of our design comfort zone. Sensing this, Pam walked us through hanging a wallpaper-based mural, asking us to trust her, which we did. She surrounded it with a matching wooden frame, which looked incredible. Another thing we liked about Pam's style was that she was very willing to work with pieces that had special significance to us and that we did not want to give up. She showed a unique talent for blending the old with the new. Finally, there were a couple of times when we only partially agreed with a piece or display that Pam had suggested. She worked with us to get things to make the tweaks necessary to get it just right. Needless to say, we are very pleased with how it turned out. Once a mere room, our space has been transformed into a place of inspiration and comfort, a testament to Pam's expertise and experience.

Example of a classic exterior home design in Houston

Photo by Eric Rorer While we adore all of our clients and the beautiful structures which we help fill and adorn, like a parent adores all of their children, this recent mid-century modern interior design project was a particular delight. This client, a smart, energetic, creative, happy person, a man who, in-person, presents as refined and understated — he wanted color. Lots of color. When we introduced some color, he wanted even more color: Bright pops; lively art. In fact, it started with the art. This new homeowner was shopping at SLATE ( https://slateart.net) for art one day… many people choose art as the finishing touches to an interior design project, however this man had not yet hired a designer. He mentioned his predicament to SLATE principal partner (and our dear partner in art sourcing) Danielle Fox, and she promptly referred him to us. At the time that we began our work, the client and his architect, Jack Backus, had finished up a massive remodel, a thoughtful and thorough update of the elegant, iconic mid-century structure (originally designed by Ratcliff & Ratcliff) for modern 21st-century living. And when we say, “the client and his architect” — we mean it. In his professional life, our client owns a metal fabrication company; given his skills and knowledge of engineering, build, and production, he elected to act as contractor on the project. His eye for metal and form made its way into some of our furniture selections, in particular the coffee table in the living room, fabricated and sold locally by Turtle and Hare. Color for miles: One of our favorite aspects of the project was the long hallway. By choosing to put nothing on the walls, and adorning the length of floor with an amazing, vibrant, patterned rug, we created a perfect venue. The rug stands out, drawing attention to the art on the floor. In fact, the rugs in each room were as thoughtfully selected for color and design as the art on the walls. In total, on this project, we designed and decorated the living room, family room, master bedroom, and back patio. (Visit www.lmbinteriors.com to view the complete portfolio of images.) While my design firm is known for our work with traditional and transitional architecture, and we love those projects, I think it is clear from this project that Modern is also our cup of tea. If you have a Modern house and are thinking about how to make it more vibrantly YOU, contact us for a consultation.

Minimalist bedroom photo in Orange County

From the owner: We were referred to Pam McPeak of Southern Places by a family friend who utilized her services on a recent project. We met Pam in person initially to share our ideas and photos of our existing space. As usual, first impressions are essential for building trust and credibility. Pam was not only personable and professional but also willing to listen to our ideas, for which we are truly grateful. Our project, which we initially thought would be a simple refresh, was quite a surprise. It included fresh paint, furniture upgrades, new artwork, and, most unexpectedly, the installation of a large wall mural. Never in a hundred years would we have selected a wall panel mural on our own. It was outside of our design comfort zone. Sensing this, Pam walked us through hanging a wallpaper-based mural, asking us to trust her, which we did. She surrounded it with a matching wooden frame, which looked incredible. Another thing we liked about Pam's style was that she was very willing to work with pieces that had special significance to us and that we did not want to give up. She showed a unique talent for blending the old with the new. Finally, there were a couple of times when we only partially agreed with a piece or display that Pam had suggested. She worked with us to get things to make the tweaks necessary to get it just right. Needless to say, we are very pleased with how it turned out. Once a mere room, our space has been transformed into a place of inspiration and comfort, a testament to Pam's expertise and experience.

Kitchen/dining room: Colorful statement rug by STARK Photo credit: Eric Rorer While we adore all of our clients and the beautiful structures which we help fill and adorn, like a parent adores all of their children, this recent mid-century modern interior design project was a particular delight. This client, a smart, energetic, creative, happy person, a man who, in-person, presents as refined and understated — he wanted color. Lots of color. When we introduced some color, he wanted even more color: Bright pops; lively art. In fact, it started with the art. This new homeowner was shopping at SLATE ( https://slateart.net) for art one day… many people choose art as the finishing touches to an interior design project, however this man had not yet hired a designer. He mentioned his predicament to SLATE principal partner (and our dear partner in art sourcing) Danielle Fox, and she promptly referred him to us. At the time that we began our work, the client and his architect, Jack Backus, had finished up a massive remodel, a thoughtful and thorough update of the elegant, iconic mid-century structure (originally designed by Ratcliff & Ratcliff) for modern 21st-century living. And when we say, “the client and his architect” — we mean it. In his professional life, our client owns a metal fabrication company; given his skills and knowledge of engineering, build, and production, he elected to act as contractor on the project. His eye for metal and form made its way into some of our furniture selections, in particular the coffee table in the living room, fabricated and sold locally by Turtle and Hare. Color for miles: One of our favorite aspects of the project was the long hallway. By choosing to put nothing on the walls, and adorning the length of floor with an amazing, vibrant, patterned rug, we created a perfect venue. The rug stands out, drawing attention to the art on the floor. In fact, the rugs in each room were as thoughtfully selected for color and design as the art on the walls. In total, on this project, we designed and decorated the living room, family room, master bedroom, and back patio. (Visit www.lmbinteriors.com to view the complete portfolio of images.) While my design firm is known for our work with traditional and transitional architecture, and we love those projects, I think it is clear from this project that Modern is also our cup of tea. If you have a Modern house and are thinking about how to make it more vibrantly YOU, contact us for a consultation.

Inspiration for a small transitional formal and enclosed medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room remodel in New York with brown walls, no fireplace and no tv

Painting over sofa by Joanne Fox, via SLATE. Custom coffee table design specs by LMBI, fabrication by Turtle and Hare, with steel legs fabricated by our client’s metal manufacturing company. Rug by Scott Group — Studio Hokanson. Wallpaper on art wall, vinyl, color: pebble, by Cowtan and Tout. Photo by Eric Rorer While we adore all of our clients and the beautiful structures which we help fill and adorn, like a parent adores all of their children, this recent mid-century modern interior design project was a particular delight. This client, a smart, energetic, creative, happy person, a man who, in-person, presents as refined and understated — he wanted color. Lots of color. When we introduced some color, he wanted even more color: Bright pops; lively art. In fact, it started with the art. This new homeowner was shopping at SLATE ( https://slateart.net) for art one day… many people choose art as the finishing touches to an interior design project, however this man had not yet hired a designer. He mentioned his predicament to SLATE principal partner (and our dear partner in art sourcing) Danielle Fox, and she promptly referred him to us. At the time that we began our work, the client and his architect, Jack Backus, had finished up a massive remodel, a thoughtful and thorough update of the elegant, iconic mid-century structure (originally designed by Ratcliff & Ratcliff) for modern 21st-century living. And when we say, “the client and his architect” — we mean it. In his professional life, our client owns a metal fabrication company; given his skills and knowledge of engineering, build, and production, he elected to act as contractor on the project. His eye for metal and form made its way into some of our furniture selections, in particular the coffee table in the living room, fabricated and sold locally by Turtle and Hare. Color for miles: One of our favorite aspects of the project was the long hallway. By choosing to put nothing on the walls, and adorning the length of floor with an amazing, vibrant, patterned rug, we created a perfect venue. The rug stands out, drawing attention to the art on the floor. In fact, the rugs in each room were as thoughtfully selected for color and design as the art on the walls. In total, on this project, we designed and decorated the living room, family room, master bedroom, and back patio. (Visit www.lmbinteriors.com to view the complete portfolio of images.) While my design firm is known for our work with traditional and transitional architecture, and we love those projects, I think it is clear from this project that Modern is also our cup of tea. If you have a Modern house and are thinking about how to make it more vibrantly YOU, contact us for a consultation.

Inspiration for a mediterranean exterior home remodel in Orange County

Designers Hugo Silva and Joana Santos. Description Pipo refers to the traditional wooden barrel used for the transportation and storage of wine. The mobility of the product is associated with the commercial expansion of wine and it is as if each person carries this cultural history when transporting the Pipo. This piece was produced in agglomerated black cork, referring to the tone of aged barrels. This material also makes it lightweight and non-slip. The rope emphasizes the old look and can be produced in other colors, making it more fun and adaptable to the environment and to the taste of people. Materials Cotton colored rope and black cork with 100% natural agglomerate.

This cabinet is about 200+ years old from Northern China. The dimensions are impressive, with simple elegant lines of the Ming dynasty. The two doors open to reveal 2 shelves and a large hidden compartment behind the front apron, accessible by lifting the bottom interior shelf. The center round hardware on the doors are made of brass. The first picture is included for your reference for inspirational ideas designing your home with an Asian influence. The cabinet has been lightly cleaned to ensure you are receiving a clean and beautiful Asian antique to infuse with your home. The last two pictures are included for your reference for inspirational ideas designing your home with an Asian influence. You will love this beautiful theatrical cabinet, it is much nicer in person. The dimensions are: Width: 47" x Depth: 21" x Height: 71.5"

From the owner: We were referred to Pam McPeak of Southern Places by a family friend who utilized her services on a recent project. We met Pam in person initially to share our ideas and photos of our existing space. As usual, first impressions are essential for building trust and credibility. Pam was not only personable and professional but also willing to listen to our ideas, for which we are truly grateful. Our project, which we initially thought would be a simple refresh, was quite a surprise. It included fresh paint, furniture upgrades, new artwork, and, most unexpectedly, the installation of a large wall mural. Never in a hundred years would we have selected a wall panel mural on our own. It was outside of our design comfort zone. Sensing this, Pam walked us through hanging a wallpaper-based mural, asking us to trust her, which we did. She surrounded it with a matching wooden frame, which looked incredible. Another thing we liked about Pam's style was that she was very willing to work with pieces that had special significance to us and that we did not want to give up. She showed a unique talent for blending the old with the new. Finally, there were a couple of times when we only partially agreed with a piece or display that Pam had suggested. She worked with us to get things to make the tweaks necessary to get it just right. Needless to say, we are very pleased with how it turned out. Once a mere room, our space has been transformed into a place of inspiration and comfort, a testament to Pam's expertise and experience.

From the owner: We were referred to Pam McPeak of Southern Places by a family friend who utilized her services on a recent project. We met Pam in person initially to share our ideas and photos of our existing space. As usual, first impressions are essential for building trust and credibility. Pam was not only personable and professional but also willing to listen to our ideas, for which we are truly grateful. Our project, which we initially thought would be a simple refresh, was quite a surprise. It included fresh paint, furniture upgrades, new artwork, and, most unexpectedly, the installation of a large wall mural. Never in a hundred years would we have selected a wall panel mural on our own. It was outside of our design comfort zone. Sensing this, Pam walked us through hanging a wallpaper-based mural, asking us to trust her, which we did. She surrounded it with a matching wooden frame, which looked incredible. Another thing we liked about Pam's style was that she was very willing to work with pieces that had special significance to us and that we did not want to give up. She showed a unique talent for blending the old with the new. Finally, there were a couple of times when we only partially agreed with a piece or display that Pam had suggested. She worked with us to get things to make the tweaks necessary to get it just right. Needless to say, we are very pleased with how it turned out. Once a mere room, our space has been transformed into a place of inspiration and comfort, a testament to Pam's expertise and experience.

Utilizing the right plants can really spruce up the look of your property. But before you go and buy the first plant you see, it’s important to think about how dedicated you are to maintaining them and how much time you are willing to invest in them. All plants are alive and need love and attention. The amount of love and attention can vary depending on the plant. If you are a busy person who doesn’t have a lot of time to dedicate to the care of your plants, this doesn’t mean you can’t have plants and have them thrive. There are many low-maintenance plants that you can choose from. These will allow you to add to the aesthetic of your property, without consuming your time to care for them. We here at Five Star Tree Services have come up with a list of the best low-maintenance shrubs for you to consider. Flowering Shrubs Looking to add colour and beauty to your landscape? You might be thinking regular flowers can do this, but have you considered flowering shrubs? These are something simple and beautiful that you can add to your yard. Hibiscus These plants come in many colours. It is also known as Chinese Hibiscus, China Rose, and Tropical Hibiscus. This evergreen perennial is native to warm temperature, subtropical and tropical places around the world. The flowers it produces can be 3-8 inches in diameter. Some resemble trumpets. Every flower has 5 or more petals and can range in colours from red, orange, yellow, purple, pink, and white. Flowers are constantly produced by this plant but each blossom only lasts a day. Its growth can be 24 inches a year and has the potential to reach 15 feet fully grown. Forsythia This shrub is part of the olive family. It is mostly native to eastern Asia but one is native to southeastern Europe. This plant is also known as golden bells. This is a deciduous shrub that can grow to 3-9 feet but ones with rough grey-brown bark have been known to grow to 20 feet. With opposite positioned leaves, that can grow between 2 and 10 cm in length. They produce bright yellow flowers and will bloom in early spring before the leaves come out. Evergreen Shrubs It is beneficial to have more green plants around you. There was a study done that showed women can have improved mental health and a longer life expectancy if you live in or near green areas. If you have a busy life and don’t have space in your home, you are able to still benefit from and experience evergreen shrubs. They are perfect for small yards and large ones alike. Euonymus This plant is native to places like East Asia, North America, Madagascar, the Himalayas, and Europe. Depending on what country you are in will determine the species you encounter. These have many names and you might have heard them referred to as a spindle tree, burning-bush, euonymus, strawberry-bush, spindle, or wintercreeper. There are 130 species of deciduous small trees, evergreen shrubs, and lianas. The wintercreeper is a herbaceous perennial vine and it can grow to 70 feet. But it usually is left at 2-4 feet as a mounded shrub. It has egg-shaped leaves that measure to 1-2.5 inches long and 1-1.75 inches wide. They can vary in colour, such as dark green, green-gold, or green-white. Blue Star Juniper This is a needled shrub and is a member of the cypress family. It is native to the Himalayas, Afghanistan, and western China. You might also know it as flaky juniper, Himalayan juniper, or singleseed juniper. This is a dwarf shrub and when it gets to a mature size, it is a compact mound measuring from 1-3 feet high and 1.5-3 feet wide. It grows slow and has a tendency to grow out and not up. It has silvery-blue foliage and is densely packed with needles that are awl-shaped. Privacy Shrubs Everyone wants privacy while you are in your home or yard. Some people decide to install a fence in order to give themselves privacy. But there is a more creative way to acquire your privacy; with privacy shrubs! If you are looking for something that is different from a fence and low-maintenance, privacy shrubs are exactly what you are looking for. Not only do these plants provide you with the much-needed privacy you desire, they also add beauty to your landscaping. Some suggestions are as follows: Thuja Green Giant This is a genus of coniferous trees that belong to the cypress or Cupressaceae family. 3 out of 5 of these plants are native to Eastern Asia and the other 2 are from North America. This evergreen can also be known as Thuja green rocket or green giant arborvitae. They are fast growing and can grow to 3-5 feet in one season. Growing in a uniform shape, when mature, they can be 50-60 feet tall and 12-20 feet wide. They have tiny, glossy leaves that resemble scales. These overlap tightly together and create a fan of foliage. Boxwood hedges These evergreen shrubs and small trees are slow growing. You might also have heard them called boxes. They are native to numerous places that include Mexico, southern and eastern Asia, Africa, and southern and western Europe. These plants have been specifically grown for their foliage but they also produce a flower. They can grow from 1-20 feet tall and spread 2-8 feet wide. They have leathery feeling leaves that are lace-shaped or almost round. The colours can range from pale green to dark blue-green. They produce small yellow-green flowers in the spring. WARNIIG: this plant produces a toxic alkaloid that can hurt humans and animals. If a person or animal were to eat the leaves, it can trigger convulsions, dizziness, intestinal distress, and respiratory failure. If you come in contact with the sap, it could cause skin irritation. It is best to avoid this plant if you have small children or pets. Wax Myrtle Tree This large shrub or small tree is native to the Caribbean and North and Central America. There are many names for this plant that include bayberry tree, southern wax myrtle, southern bayberry, tallow shrub, and candleberry. It is very adaptable to various habitats but it naturally will grow near rivers and streams, wetlands, dunes, fields, pine barrens, hillsides, and in mixed-broadleaf and coniferous forests. This shrub can grow 20-25 feet tall with light olive-green leaves that have serrated edges. It also has smooth thin gray-brown bark. It can also produce bluish-white fruit which grows on short stalks in clusters. How Five Star Tree Service Can Help When looking for privacy for your home, utilizing low-maintenance plants is a great way to do this. It is also a great way to add something unique to your yard. Some of these shrubs will require some maintenance, which is where our team at Five Star Tree Services can help! We offer shrub trimming services in Toronto and if you require our assistance, make sure to give us a call at (416) 990-3355.

From the owner: We were referred to Pam McPeak of Southern Places by a family friend who utilized her services on a recent project. We met Pam in person initially to share our ideas and photos of our existing space. As usual, first impressions are essential for building trust and credibility. Pam was not only personable and professional but also willing to listen to our ideas, for which we are truly grateful. Our project, which we initially thought would be a simple refresh, was quite a surprise. It included fresh paint, furniture upgrades, new artwork, and, most unexpectedly, the installation of a large wall mural. Never in a hundred years would we have selected a wall panel mural on our own. It was outside of our design comfort zone. Sensing this, Pam walked us through hanging a wallpaper-based mural, asking us to trust her, which we did. She surrounded it with a matching wooden frame, which looked incredible. Another thing we liked about Pam's style was that she was very willing to work with pieces that had special significance to us and that we did not want to give up. She showed a unique talent for blending the old with the new. Finally, there were a couple of times when we only partially agreed with a piece or display that Pam had suggested. She worked with us to get things to make the tweaks necessary to get it just right. Needless to say, we are very pleased with how it turned out. Once a mere room, our space has been transformed into a place of inspiration and comfort, a testament to Pam's expertise and experience.