Belathée Photography
Example of an eclectic basement design in Seattle

Casey Fry
Example of a huge cottage galley concrete floor utility room design in Austin with an undermount sink, blue cabinets, quartz countertops, blue walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and shaker cabinets

Sport Court Photo Credit: Chris Aquilino
Photo of an eclectic outdoor sport court in Atlanta.

Photo by Ryann Ford
Design ideas for a contemporary landscaping in Austin.

Stone patio with Mexican beach pebbles and fire pit
Patio - small modern backyard stone patio idea in Toronto with a fire pit

Oasis in the Desert You can find a whole lot of fun ready for the kids in this fun contemporary play-yard in the dessert. Theme: The overall theme of the play-yard is a blend of creative and active outdoor play that blends with the contemporary styling of this beautiful home. Focus: The overall focus for the design of this amazing play-yard was to provide this family with an outdoor space that would foster an active and creative playtime for their children of various ages. The visual focus of this space is the 15-foot tree placed in the middle of the turf yard. This fantastic structure beacons the children to climb the mini stumps and enjoy the slide or swing happily from the branches all the while creating a touch of whimsical nature not typically found in the desert. Surrounding the tree the play-yard offers an array of activities for these lucky children from the chalkboard walls to create amazing pictures to the custom ball wall to practice their skills, the custom myWall system provides endless options for the kids and parents to keep the space exciting and new. Rock holds easily clip into the wall offering ever changing climbing routes, custom water toys and games can also be adapted to the wall to fit the fun of the day. Storage: The myWall system offers various storage options including shelving, closed cases or hanging baskets all of which can be moved to alternate locations on the wall as the homeowners want to customize the play-yard. Growth: The myWall system is built to grow with the users whether it is with changing taste, updating design or growing children, all the accessories can be moved or replaced while leaving the main frame in place. The materials used throughout the space were chosen for their durability and ability to withstand the harsh conditions for many years. The tree also includes 3 levels of swings offering children of varied ages the chance to swing from the branches. Safety: Safety is of critical concern with any play-yard and a space in the harsh conditions of the desert presented specific concerns which were addressed with light colored materials to reflect the sun and reduce heat buildup and stainless steel hardware was used to avoid rusting. The myWall accessories all use a locking mechanism which allows for easy adjustments but also securely locks the pieces into place once set. The flooring in the treehouse was also textured to eliminate skidding.

Photography by Ken Vaughn
Inspiration for a large timeless backyard stone patio kitchen remodel in Dallas with a roof extension

Design/Build custom home in Hummelstown, PA. This transitional style home features a timeless design with on-trend finishes and features. An outdoor living retreat features a pool, landscape lighting, playground, outdoor seating, and more.

A wonderful mountain home with a landscape that was designed and built by The Garden Route. It is a playground for the whole family. Photos by Rich Radford

2011 EcoHome Design Award Winner Key to the successful design were the homeowner priorities of family health, energy performance, and optimizing the walk-to-town construction site. To maintain health and air quality, the home features a fresh air ventilation system with energy recovery, a whole house HEPA filtration system, radiant & radiator heating distribution, and low/no VOC materials. The home’s energy performance focuses on passive heating/cooling techniques, natural daylighting, an improved building envelope, and efficient mechanical systems, collectively achieving overall energy performance of 50% better than code. To address the site opportunities, the home utilizes a footprint that maximizes southern exposure in the rear while still capturing the park view in the front. ZeroEnergy Design | Green Architecture & Mechanical Design www.ZeroEnergy.com Kauffman Tharp Design | Interior Design www.ktharpdesign.com Photos by Eric Roth

Photo by Ryann Ford
Inspiration for a contemporary landscaping in Austin.

Example of a trendy home design design in San Francisco

Photo of an eclectic landscaping in San Francisco.

Having two young boys presents its own challenges, and when you have two of their best friends constantly visiting, you end up with four super active action heroes. This family wanted to dedicate a space for the boys to hangout. We took an ordinary basement and converted it into a playground heaven. A basketball hoop, climbing ropes, swinging chairs, rock climbing wall, and climbing bars, provide ample opportunity for the boys to let their energy out, and the built-in window seat is the perfect spot to catch a break. Tall built-in wardrobes and drawers beneath the window seat to provide plenty of storage for all the toys. You can guess where all the neighborhood kids come to hangout now ☺

This playhouse provides a true retreat for kids, encouraging them to play outside and stay in touch with nature. Designed as part of a larger fundraising effort for the Housing Assistance Corporation, a lucky family purchased two playhouse raffle tickets. Those tickets not only won the playhouse, but also helped to raise over $50,000 for Cape Cod Kids who receive services through emergency shelters and housing programs. Responsible green features make the playhouse good for the family and the environment. The structure is clad inside and out with rough-sawn spruce boards, which are naturally weather resistant. Rainwater is captured through integral roof gutters to be deposited in a catchment barrel. The attached succulent and herb garden can then be watered using the rainbarrel spigot. An outdoor chaise for one or two provides a spot to relax, and is movable to follow the sun. A reclaimed sail has been repurposed to provide shade for the large south facing window in the summer. When opened, windows on both sides capture passing breezes and allow for passive cooling. One gable end of the playhouse features hidden double storage shelves for toys and balls. The other gable end includes a climbing wall, recycled tires for a soft falling surface, and a hidden door that leads inside. Storage cubbies offer easy access spaces for toys and games, while a chalkboard encourages drawing and writing. Crank lights and a crank radio use kid power to operate. The blue racer rocker, made of recycled milk bottles, offers fun yet durable seating. In the corner, a kid-height sliding side door guarantees an easy second exit at all times. A ladder leads to the second floor loft area. Twin skylights provide daylighting and the ability to follow the evening stars with the telescope. Overall, the combination of fun for the winning family, environmental sensitivity, and funds raised for the Housing Assistance Corporation of Cape Cod made this playhouse a success on many levels. Architecture by ZeroEnergy Design Construction by Cape Associates Building Products by Shepley Wood Products Photos by Roe Osborn

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional backyard concrete paver patio remodel in Richmond with a fire pit and no cover

Inspiration for a contemporary patio remodel in Orange County

The kitchen is appreciated for its fresh, bright look, achieved with olive-green cupboard fronts that contrast with the white marble effect worktops and splashback. The adjacent dining area is airy yet ultra-cosy. The empty space above the existing boiler has been used to install an adjustable shelf system that serves as Romeo's playground.

The clients wanted this home to be the complete package, a place to relax with friends and family and make the most of the stunning landscape and natural playground. The summer house acts as a pavilion for entertaining and a shady place for spectators of the tennis matches. It also functions beautifully as a generous guest suite, incorporating a kitchen and bathroom. The boat shed alongside has ample storage for the boat and other outdoor toys.