The owners of this home came to us with a plan to build a new high-performance home that physically and aesthetically fit on an infill lot in an old well-established neighborhood in Bellingham. The Craftsman exterior detailing, Scandinavian exterior color palette, and timber details help it blend into the older neighborhood. At the same time the clean modern interior allowed their artistic details and displayed artwork take center stage. We started working with the owners and the design team in the later stages of design, sharing our expertise with high-performance building strategies, custom timber details, and construction cost planning. Our team then seamlessly rolled into the construction phase of the project, working with the owners and Michelle, the interior designer until the home was complete. The owners can hardly believe the way it all came together to create a bright, comfortable, and friendly space that highlights their applied details and favorite pieces of art. Photography by Radley Muller Photography​ Design by Deborah Todd Building Design Services Interior Design by Spiral Studios​

During the design and construction phases of the Fairfield by Marriott at Fair Oaks Farms in Indiana, Michael S. McCall, expert in “place-making” development and physical planning, wanted to bring a unique playfulness to the new hotel. The result is an 80-foot-tall barn with a gambrel roof and accommodations for about 100 guests. The adjoining “Pool Party” room, the “milking parlor,” houses the colorful and sun-filled pool and fitness facilities. One of the particularly outstanding elements of the Pool Party room is a bright and cheerful mosaic designed in collaboration with Artaic, that emphasizes the uniqueness of the property as a whole. McCall partnered with long-time friend, business associate, and renowned artist, R. Tom Gilleon, to create visuals for the space that capture the essence of the surrounding farmland and the agritourism it attracts.

Designing a Health-Focused Home Living Space Designing a health-focused home living space is more than just arranging furniture and choosing colors; it's about creating an environment that promotes physical well-being, mental clarity, and overall wellness. As we spend more time at home, especially in the wake of recent global shifts towards remote work and lifestyle changes, the importance of our living spaces in supporting our health has never been greater. Here are some key considerations when designing a health-oriented home. Natural Light and Air Quality Natural light plays a crucial role in our health, affecting everything from our sleep patterns to our mood. When designing your home, prioritize spaces that allow for ample sunlight. Large windows, skylights, and strategically placed mirrors can help maximize natural light. In rooms where natural light is limited, consider using full-spectrum lighting that mimics daylight to support your circadian rhythms. Air quality is another critical factor in a health-focused home. Indoor air can be more polluted than outdoor air due to various factors like off-gassing from furniture, household cleaners, and poor ventilation. Incorporating plants that are known to purify air, such as spider plants, snake plants, and peace lilies, can help improve indoor air quality. Additionally, ensure your home is well-ventilated by using exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms, and consider investing in air purifiers, especially if you live in an area with high pollution levels. Ergonomic Furniture and Movement Spaces The furniture you choose and how you arrange it can significantly impact your physical health. Ergonomic furniture, especially in workspaces, can help prevent strain and injury. Adjustable desks, supportive chairs, and monitor stands can contribute to better posture and reduced risk of musculoskeletal issues. Incorporating spaces that encourage movement is also important. For example, a small home gym or a yoga corner can serve as a dedicated area for physical activity. Even in smaller spaces, you can create movement opportunities by ensuring there’s enough room to stretch or do simple exercises. Open floor plans or multipurpose spaces that can be easily reconfigured for different activities can help integrate movement into daily life. Mindful and Minimalist Design A clutter-free environment is conducive to mental clarity and relaxation. Mindful and minimalist design principles focus on creating spaces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing without being overwhelming. Start by decluttering and organizing your belongings, keeping only what you need and what brings you joy. Choose furniture and decor that are simple, natural, and calming. Materials like wood, stone, and natural fibers not only add a touch of nature to your home but also tend to have fewer chemicals than synthetic materials. Neutral color palettes with accents of soothing colors like blues and greens can help create a tranquil atmosphere. Sleep and Restful Areas A significant part of health-focused design is creating spaces that promote restful sleep. Your bedroom should be a sanctuary that encourages relaxation. Invest in a good-quality mattress and pillows that support your body. Blackout curtains, soundproofing, and maintaining a cool room temperature can also contribute to better sleep quality. In addition to the bedroom, consider creating other restful areas in your home where you can unwind, meditate, or practice mindfulness. A cozy reading nook, a meditation space, or even a comfortable chair by a window can serve as your personal retreat. Incorporating Nature and Green Spaces Finally, integrating elements of nature into your living space can have a profound impact on your health. Biophilic design, which connects indoor environments with nature, has been shown to reduce stress and increase feelings of well-being. This can be as simple as adding more houseplants, incorporating natural materials, or even installing a small indoor water feature. If you have outdoor space, create a garden or a patio where you can relax and enjoy fresh air. Even a small balcony can be transformed into a green oasis with the right plants and seating. By thoughtfully designing your living space with health in mind, you create an environment that not only looks beautiful but also supports your physical and mental well-being.

T shaped swimming pool designed by Giuseppe Abbrancati and built by Gappsi in Smithtown NY, 11787. This swimming pool is a very special pool, not only it’s beautiful, but it is also very functional and energy efficient. The layout of the backyard incorporates raised and pool area travertine patios, hot tub spa, travertine veneered walls with 2 inches travertine copings and plenty of space for tables and chairs. The T shaped swimming pool is very functional it has a very large diving deep end area making it very safe for professional diving, it has steps in deep end for easy access and exit, it has steps along the shallow area to access the pool but also serve as sitting benches for bathers that just want to sit in water, the shallow are its perfect valley ball play area like no other pool shape would offer and all these provided with less the 800 sq ft of surface making it cost effective when running the heather and the pumps to circulate the water. This swimming pool defies the law of physics by being smaller then a 20x40 while providing a larger deep end area and a larger shallow area. For more information’s about pool constructions please visit Gappsi.com or call us at 631-543-1177.

The owners of this home came to us with a plan to build a new high-performance home that physically and aesthetically fit on an infill lot in an old well-established neighborhood in Bellingham. The Craftsman exterior detailing, Scandinavian exterior color palette, and timber details help it blend into the older neighborhood. At the same time the clean modern interior allowed their artistic details and displayed artwork take center stage. We started working with the owners and the design team in the later stages of design, sharing our expertise with high-performance building strategies, custom timber details, and construction cost planning. Our team then seamlessly rolled into the construction phase of the project, working with the owners and Michelle, the interior designer until the home was complete. The owners can hardly believe the way it all came together to create a bright, comfortable, and friendly space that highlights their applied details and favorite pieces of art. Photography by Radley Muller Photography​ Design by Deborah Todd Building Design Services Interior Design by Spiral Studios​

If you've ever taken a road trip that meandered through the countryside you've probably noticed that simple house sitting at the end of a dirt road. It looks cozy and has a rustic charm that reminds us of a more straightforward way of living. A warm, cozy fire on a chilly fall evening, or sitting on the farmers' porch enjoying a cold iced tea at the end of a long summer day. Today, as more of us are beginning to appreciate the warmth of that rustic setting, one design style is rapidly growing in popularity. Known as “Modern Rustic” it provides homeowners with the warm, natural, and inviting style of that rural farmhouse, along with the clean, simple lines of modern design. One of the characteristics of the Modern Rustic design aesthetic is that is evidenced by both the physical rooms, as well as in individual pieces of furniture within the space. The primary design components of this style are the warmth of natural materials and the texture those material provide. Exposed wood and stone or brick are often used to add character and the appearance of warmth to the aesthetic. These are textures typically found in old hand-built country homes, as these were the building materials available at the time. Woolen objects like rugs and blankets are used as décor to add warm textures to the space. Modern Rustic also uses smooth textures, for example, counter and chairs surfaces and cabinetry. These are the textures that provide the clean and modern feel. Shape and architecture play a significant role in the overall design environment. Natural elements like stones and wood are typically rough and asymmetrical in their natural state. A Modern Rustic design combines these natural shapes like tree branches, antlers and river stones with rectangles, spheres, and sharp angles. Think Cathedral ceilings, large prominent stairs, huge natural beams, and beautiful stone fireplaces. I am extremely proud of this project and we finish right on time before the couple get married. Contact @jojowongdesign for next gigs. @ Houston, Texas

Twelve years between phases. Every piece from the first still beautiful in the second. That is what investing well in interior decorating looks like. These returning Toronto clients first worked with Yassein Interiors in 2013 — two accomplished professionals ready to invest in their condominium but not yet ready to do everything at once. We started in the kitchen: sprayed cabinets, a bar and sideboard, custom dining storage, and two occasional chairs for the living room. Every piece was chosen not for the moment but for the long view. In 2025, they called again. Now retired. Now ready for the rest. And here is the part of this story that matters most: every single piece from 2013 was still there. Still beautiful. Still working. Nothing had been chosen carelessly in the first place. The second phase centred on the living room. A custom sectional transformed the layout — generous for book club evenings, perfectly oriented for television, proportioned so the room breathes. Beside it, a swivel chair in an acrylic-mohair blend connects quietly to the bar cabinet purchased a decade earlier. A highback chair with matching ottoman was positioned for one purpose: to enjoy the treetop view. The angle, the relationship to the window, the way light falls across the fabric at different hours — this is what careful space planning looks like. The flooring was the largest physical change: dated cherry hardwood replaced throughout with a warm midtone oak that ties every room together. In the kitchen, a new faucet, custom counter stools, and playful drapery gave a space that was already well-appointed a fresh lift without starting over. Proof that the best decorating is never just for the moment. Full-service interior decorating by Yassein Interiors, serving Toronto, the GTA, Durham Region, and Northumberland County

Entryway - modern entryway idea in Orange County

- RIDDLED DESK. The originality and workmanship of its legs are the outstanding features of the Riddled table, which incorporates the notion of porosity found in multiple architecture works by Steven Holl. The thin sheets of wood, folded through laser engraving, make this project even more spectacular in its apparent defiance of the laws of physics. These two legs, akin to origami sculptures, allow the passage of the internal light to create a myriad of lights and shadows. 78''3/4W x 39''3/8D x 28''3/8H. 78''3/4W x 43''3/8D x 28''3/8H. 98''3/8W x 39''3/8D x 28''3/8H. 98''3/8W x 43''3/8D x 28''3/8H. http://ow.ly/3yzu7W - PLYWOOD CHANDELIER. Creativity and innovation come together in a luminous sculpture constructed with a 2-mm wooden material, laser etched, and folded in an origami-like fashion, thanks to a complex technological process patented by Horm. The LED light, passing through the structure holes, creates unique plays of shadows that allow Steven Holl to offer the same emotion his architecture conveys albeit at a different scale. 39''3/4W x 15''3/4D x 12''1/8H. http://ow.ly/3yzu9J

If you've ever taken a road trip that meandered through the countryside you've probably noticed that simple house sitting at the end of a dirt road. It looks cozy and has a rustic charm that reminds us of a more straightforward way of living. A warm, cozy fire on a chilly fall evening, or sitting on the farmers' porch enjoying a cold iced tea at the end of a long summer day. Today, as more of us are beginning to appreciate the warmth of that rustic setting, one design style is rapidly growing in popularity. Known as “Modern Rustic” it provides homeowners with the warm, natural, and inviting style of that rural farmhouse, along with the clean, simple lines of modern design. One of the characteristics of the Modern Rustic design aesthetic is that is evidenced by both the physical rooms, as well as in individual pieces of furniture within the space. The primary design components of this style are the warmth of natural materials and the texture those material provide. Exposed wood and stone or brick are often used to add character and the appearance of warmth to the aesthetic. These are textures typically found in old hand-built country homes, as these were the building materials available at the time. Woolen objects like rugs and blankets are used as décor to add warm textures to the space. Modern Rustic also uses smooth textures, for example, counter and chairs surfaces and cabinetry. These are the textures that provide the clean and modern feel. Shape and architecture play a significant role in the overall design environment. Natural elements like stones and wood are typically rough and asymmetrical in their natural state. A Modern Rustic design combines these natural shapes like tree branches, antlers and river stones with rectangles, spheres, and sharp angles. Think Cathedral ceilings, large prominent stairs, huge natural beams, and beautiful stone fireplaces. I am extremely proud of this project and we finish right on time before the couple get married. Contact @jojowongdesign for next gigs. @ Houston, Texas

- RIDDLED DESK. The originality and workmanship of its legs are the outstanding features of the Riddled table, which incorporates the notion of porosity found in multiple architecture works by Steven Holl. The thin sheets of wood, folded through laser engraving, make this project even more spectacular in its apparent defiance of the laws of physics. These two legs, akin to origami sculptures, allow the passage of the internal light to create a myriad of lights and shadows. 78''3/4W x 39''3/8D x 28''3/8H. 78''3/4W x 43''3/8D x 28''3/8H. 98''3/8W x 39''3/8D x 28''3/8H. 98''3/8W x 43''3/8D x 28''3/8H. http://ow.ly/3yzu7W - PLYWOOD CHANDELIER. Creativity and innovation come together in a luminous sculpture constructed with a 2-mm wooden material, laser etched, and folded in an origami-like fashion, thanks to a complex technological process patented by Horm. The LED light, passing through the structure holes, creates unique plays of shadows that allow Steven Holl to offer the same emotion his architecture conveys albeit at a different scale. 39''3/4W x 15''3/4D x 12''1/8H. http://ow.ly/3yzu9J

Mary Costa
Living room - living room idea in Los Angeles with gray walls

TER won an honorary mention as a part of the YAC’s Calamity Atelier Competition, in addition to the prestigious A' Design Award for Interior Space & Exhibition Design 2019-2020. The Calamity Atelier competition was based in the art forest of Arte Sella in northern Italy that was in recent years destroyed by a storm. The focus was to bring back life to the forest through the design of a number of spaces. Design concept description: Stability is a universal value one seeks to reach in their lifetime. Given the recent events that shook the core of Art Sella, the basis of its recovery should be in the form of a stable foundation. The design concept of TER, Malga Costa’s new restaurant expansion, derives from 3 main ideas: 1. What does a “stable” space feel like? Psychologically and physically. 2. The connection between the forest land and the food that is served at the restaurant. 3. How to integrate this space harmoniously into the forest in a way in which it will live cohesively with the neighboring artwork, nature, and people. The idea of stability is translated through mass, shape, and materials. Different from most of the forest’s artwork, TER looks like a massive boulder rearing in the forest. The stone exterior makes up the majority of the interior as well, acting as its base material. With the materials, there is a clear balance of old and new. The old acts as the foundation and pays homage to the area’s roots whereas the new alludes to a burgeoning future. Together, they play a game of layering and develop throughout the space. The connection between the land and the food comes through the method of cooking in the restaurant- which is campfire cooking. In the center of the plan, there is an open outdoor space that is used to cook foods on an open fire. The plan is designed in a circular motion around the open space in order to fully commit to this concept. Everyone in the four areas of the restaurant can view and enjoy the chefs at work, creating a seemingly interactive dining experience. The restaurant blends into its surroundings by acting as another rock in the landscape. It is differentiated by the smoke arising from its center, which creates a sense of allure and intrigue. It’s a sight that draws people in toward the center – reestablishing the core essence of Art Sella.

York Mills Residence | Layered Contemporary Elegance This York Mills residence was designed around the idea of quiet luxury expressed through architectural detail rather than excess. The interior combines classical residential proportions with contemporary forms, creating a sophisticated environment that feels highly curated while remaining comfortable and inviting for everyday living. A key design strategy was to establish a continuous architectural language across the connected living, dining, and circulation spaces. Rather than designing each zone independently, the spaces are visually tied together through consistent wall paneling, warm oak flooring, carefully controlled neutral tones, and a coordinated lighting strategy. This creates a strong sense of continuity and allows the eye to move naturally through the home. The ceiling design plays an important role in defining the character of the interior. Elaborate geometric and curved coffering introduces a sculptural element overhead, transforming the ceiling into a fifth architectural surface. The integrated perimeter illumination emphasizes these forms after dark, while recessed lighting provides functional illumination without competing with the decorative architecture. The black stone fireplace provides a deliberate counterpoint to the predominantly light interior. Its strong visual weight anchors the living area and establishes a dramatic focal point, while the softer curved seating and neutral upholstery balance its intensity. This contrast between monumental architectural elements and tactile, rounded furnishings gives the room a contemporary character without losing its residential warmth. Furniture planning was approached as an exercise in conversation, proportion, and movement. The seating arrangement creates an intimate conversational zone while maintaining a clear visual and physical connection to the dining area. The curved forms soften the geometry of the architecture and introduce a more relaxed human scale within the larger room. The dining area extends the social function of the space and is visually framed by the architectural detailing and artwork. A sculptural chandelier establishes a focal point above the dining table, while the large-scale artwork introduces color, energy, and individuality into the otherwise restrained palette. This balance between a controlled architectural background and expressive art allows the homeowner's personality to become part of the design. The flooring contributes another layer of craftsmanship. The warm wood surface establishes continuity throughout the open interior, while geometric floor detailing and directional patterns subtly define zones without relying on physical partitions. This allows the architecture to remain open while still providing a sense of hierarchy and spatial organization. Artwork, decorative objects, greenery, and furnishings were intentionally selected to introduce moments of color, texture, softness, and visual contrast. The result is not a purely minimalist interior; instead, it is a layered composition in which restraint provides the foundation for carefully selected moments of expression. Overall, the project reflects a contemporary approach to traditional luxury, architectural, highly detailed, and timeless, but never overly formal. The design prioritizes proportion, craftsmanship, material relationships, natural light, and the experience of moving through the home, creating an interior that functions as both an elegant entertaining environment and a comfortable everyday living space.

Elevating the Field: A Masterclass in Professional Sports Lighting After two decades leading LED product development and global exports, I’ve learned that stadium lighting isn't just about brightness—it’s about precision, player comfort, and long-term economic viability. Our latest installation showcased here represents the perfect synergy between advanced optical engineering and rugged durability. Here is why this project stands as a benchmark for modern sports infrastructure. 1. Professional-Grade Optical Precision For this project, we didn't just "flood" the field with light. We engineered a solution: Asymmetric Beam Control: We utilized custom-engineered lenses to direct light strictly onto the playing surface. This eliminates "sky glow" and light pollution for the surrounding community. Anti-Glare Technology: By controlling the peak intensity angles, we’ve ensured that athletes can track the ball in the air without being blinded, a critical factor for high-speed sports performance. Uniformity Excellence: The lighting distribution achieves a high uniformity ratio, eliminating dark spots and shadows that can lead to player injury. 2. Industrial-Strength Thermal Management The secret to a 10-year lifespan isn't the LED chip; it's the heat dissipation. Aero-Grade Heat Sinks: These fixtures feature high-purity aluminum housing with a vertical thermal flow design. Longevity in Harsh Conditions: Designed to withstand extreme outdoor temperatures, the system ensures that lumen depreciation is kept to a minimum, protecting the client’s investment for years to come. 3. Global Compliance & Export Quality From a trade perspective, we understand that reliability is the only currency that matters in international projects. Certified Durability: The system carries full IP66 waterproof and IK08 impact ratings, making it resilient against heavy storms and physical impact. International Standards: Fully compliant with CE, RoHS, and DLC Premium requirements, ensuring seamless integration into power grids worldwide and eligibility for green-energy subsidies. 4. The ROI: Efficiency Meets Sustainability Switching to this high-efficiency LED system resulted in a 65% reduction in energy consumption compared to the previous metal halide installation. With integrated smart-control compatibility, the facility can now manage lighting levels based on usage, further accelerating the payback period. The Bottom Line: Lighting a sports facility is an investment in the community and the athletes. We don't just provide lamps; we provide a professional environment where the game can be played at its best, long after the sun goes down. Are you looking to upgrade your facility to international standards? Let’s discuss how our 20 years of expertise can illuminate your next project.

Gorgeous master bath finished with Dal-Tile's Fabrique porcelain tile in the color Noir Linen polished. Tile size is 12"x24" installed in a brick joint pattern. The floor boasts underfloor heating on a timed thermostat.