Erin Lau
This is an example of a traditional landscaping in Seattle.

Remodel Description: This project was a full remodel of an existing pool and backyard. It began with a classic rundown brick ribbon, salt finish concrete and mottled, chipping pool plaster. The original pool was in poor condition and the spa was unusable and in a awkward location. In my remodel design, I demolished the existing spa, enlarged the size and relocated it to a more convenient location near the master bedroom. My design also organized the existing retaining wall heights and layout, created new entertaining areas, as well as adding a new built-in barbecue and bar. Photograph Description: This is a photograph of the completed new spa area with our signature 'Hydro-massage' water feature. There is an elevated seat in the spa to sit on beneath the 'Hydro-massage' and have the water massage your neck, back and shoulders. The spa features our 'Tile Ledge' detail with precast coping. The walls are veneered with Arnold Stone (a natural stone product that is cut into veneer thickness). The wood trellis detail provides decoration and a place to mount the 'Hydro-massage. I repeat the trellis detail on the Champagne terrace above the pool. Photo: Wendy Harper Master Builder: Ken Palmer

Before view of side yard - The terrain in Kennesaw, GA is notoriously difficult for landscaping due to dense red clay and deeply embedded granite. These rocky conditions often require heavy machinery, like jackhammers or rock saws, to break through large stones just beneath the surface. What looks like a manageable yard can quickly reveal solid rock layers that slow down grading and increase labor. The clay and rock also create poor drainage, leading to water pooling that must be addressed with solutions like dry creek beds or advanced regrading. Despite the challenge, with the right tools and planning, even the toughest Kennesaw yards can be transformed into functional, beautiful spaces.

Spinach is easy to grow in shallow pots or window boxes, and you can harvest leaves as needed for sandwiches, salads, and soups. Photo by Steve Masley

Photo: Kayla Pearson © 2015 Houzz
Inspiration for an industrial living room remodel in Chicago

GLO GRO has launched a revolutionary decorative 45W LED Étagère floor lamp that will make growing plants, flowers and medicinal herbs indoors easy any time of year. With a proprietary patent pending LED engine, GLO GRO is revolutionizing the “grow industry” giving plant enthusiasts the option to successfully nurture and grow plants indoors better than anywhere else, no matter the season or location. Having a green thumb is all about light cycles which at times can make traditional growing challenging. Unpredictable weather coupled with poor conditions and climate change can turn a stress-relieving hobby into a nightmare. It takes the guess work out of gardening and turns a home of any size into the perfect environment for plants to thrive and flourish. Whether a city-dweller in a small apartment or just someone who wants to create a lush indoor environment, GLO GRO is the perfect self-contained growth system.

This home addition was intended to expand the home to provide the space needed for the growing new family. The existing kitchen was gutted, expanded and opened up to a family room and nook area. Custom inset cabinets were our preference; however cost was a significant concern. The owner researched multiple companies and standard product lines to save on her budget. After careful analysis, we discovered that it was just as cost effective to use the local custom cabinet maker we preferred. This allowed for more precise detailing and unique features. The goal of a classical farm house kitchen character updated with modern features was able to be obtained much to the home owner's delight. A family room was added to this home, opening up to a screen porch that takes advantage of a previously unused side yard. The much needed new rear entry provides the family a space for their laundry room and is now the primary entry point from the detached garage. Great care was taken to ensure that the home’s new detailing could have been built this way originally. The space however needed to have a modern function for a modern family. The homes existing exterior had aluminum siding and trim which concealed original millwork and shingles. When the nondescript materials were removed, it was discovered that the original was in poor condition. Careful attention was taken to replace and/or repair original materials wherever possible around the entire home, in order to create a seamless exterior character.

This home addition was intended to expand the home to provide the space needed for the growing new family. The existing kitchen was gutted, expanded and opened up to a family room and nook area. Custom inset cabinets were our preference; however cost was a significant concern. The owner researched multiple companies and standard product lines to save on her budget. After careful analysis, we discovered that it was just as cost effective to use the local custom cabinet maker we preferred. This allowed for more precise detailing and unique features. The goal of a classical farm house kitchen character updated with modern features was able to be obtained much to the home owner's delight. A family room was added to this home, opening up to a screen porch that takes advantage of a previously unused side yard. The much needed new rear entry provides the family a space for their laundry room and is now the primary entry point from the detached garage. Great care was taken to ensure that the home’s new detailing could have been built this way originally. The space however needed to have a modern function for a modern family. The homes existing exterior had aluminum siding and trim which concealed original millwork and shingles. When the nondescript materials were removed, it was discovered that the original was in poor condition. Careful attention was taken to replace and/or repair original materials wherever possible around the entire home, in order to create a seamless exterior character.

If the cook ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy. The cramped design and dated condition of this south Minneapolis story and a half frustrated the gourmet cook in this family of four, who wanted more space to entertain. We removed a wall and designed a 5-foot addition off the back for the expanded dining/living space. To bring this dark cramped, poorly designed kitchen into the 21st century without destroying its charm, we added new windows, more lighting, custom flat-panel walnut cabinets, quartz countertops with a companion geometric backsplash tile and new appliances. Keeping the cove ceilings and “toothing” in matching hardwood floors paid homage to the aesthetics of the previous era. The added mudroom off the kitchen completes the functional design. Now everyone is happy! Design/Build Consultant — Courtney Cartee Photography — Alyssa Lee

The commercial roofing services, offered by this particular firm have been highly appreciated. This commercial roofing venture is backed up with great source of workers, who are capable enough to serve their clients with the first class services. The house roofing Auckland company facilitates re-roofing of the commercial properties as well. In addition to this, the firm caters residential roofing, roof repair and Cedar roofing services with equal flair. The most important fact is that, the staffs of this company also facilitate the clients with inspection services of the residential properties as well. The roof inspectors of the company usher a number of facilities starting from checking poor attic condition, corrosion, structural damage, weather damage, water leaking problem and many more. This storm damage roof inspection firm assures quality and energy efficient roofing service to the esteemed clients. The company is resourced with highly skilled employees, who are enriched with yearlong experience. All of the workers are capable of analyzing the problems of the roofs of the clients and serve accordingly. Quality of the products, used by the team is something they never compromise with. Hence, house roofing Auckland is guaranteed by the right company. People can also experience the dedicated customer service of the company. They are on desk throughput the day, in order to answer each and every query of people. The company maintains a long term relation with its customers. For more info, visit our website:- https://www.proroofing.co.nz/

Liatris squarrosa / scaly blazingstar

This home addition was intended to expand the home to provide the space needed for the growing new family. The existing kitchen was gutted, expanded and opened up to a family room and nook area. Custom inset cabinets were our preference; however cost was a significant concern. The owner researched multiple companies and standard product lines to save on her budget. After careful analysis, we discovered that it was just as cost effective to use the local custom cabinet maker we preferred. This allowed for more precise detailing and unique features. The goal of a classical farm house kitchen character updated with modern features was able to be obtained much to the home owner's delight. A family room was added to this home, opening up to a screen porch that takes advantage of a previously unused side yard. The much needed new rear entry provides the family a space for their laundry room and is now the primary entry point from the detached garage. Great care was taken to ensure that the home’s new detailing could have been built this way originally. The space however needed to have a modern function for a modern family. The homes existing exterior had aluminum siding and trim which concealed original millwork and shingles. When the nondescript materials were removed, it was discovered that the original was in poor condition. Careful attention was taken to replace and/or repair original materials wherever possible around the entire home, in order to create a seamless exterior character.

Example of a farmhouse dining room design in DC Metro

This home addition was intended to expand the home to provide the space needed for the growing new family. The existing kitchen was gutted, expanded and opened up to a family room and nook area. Custom inset cabinets were our preference; however cost was a significant concern. The owner researched multiple companies and standard product lines to save on her budget. After careful analysis, we discovered that it was just as cost effective to use the local custom cabinet maker we preferred. This allowed for more precise detailing and unique features. The goal of a classical farm house kitchen character updated with modern features was able to be obtained much to the home owner's delight. A family room was added to this home, opening up to a screen porch that takes advantage of a previously unused side yard. The much needed new rear entry provides the family a space for their laundry room and is now the primary entry point from the detached garage. Great care was taken to ensure that the home’s new detailing could have been built this way originally. The space however needed to have a modern function for a modern family. The homes existing exterior had aluminum siding and trim which concealed original millwork and shingles. When the nondescript materials were removed, it was discovered that the original was in poor condition. Careful attention was taken to replace and/or repair original materials wherever possible around the entire home, in order to create a seamless exterior character.

Pontcanna is a popular residential area in the western district of Cardiff, in South East Wales. Known for its rather large houses and spectacular foliage, interestingly enough roughly a quarter of the population are English folk. I was called down to a property in the area to take a look at a Victorian tiled floor which was in quite poor condition. Along with the typical amount of dirt and muck seen on poorly maintained tiles, there were a number of missing tiles and a fair bit of cement caked on the surface of the floor. It would require a robust clean, fresh seal, and several repairs to get this floor back into optimum condition. To begin, I checked for excess moisture problems using a damp meter in various places of the hallway floor and, thankfully, it was showing dry results. Any dampness could have potentially caused problems later on in the restoration process, so it was s good idea to run tests before starting. Next, I manually scraped as much of the dry paint and cement off the tiles as possible, with no lubrication necessary. I then proceeded to clean the floor with a solution I mixed early, consisting of equal parts Tile Doctor NanoTech HBU and Tile Doctor Pro Clean, rinsing as I went. Both products are designed to tackle heavy soil build-up, with the former uniquely using nano-sized particles (as the product name suggests) to penetrate deep into difficult to reach areas in the tiles in order to lift out ingrained muck. Following the initial clean, I removed all of the loose tiles and those heavily affected by cement, before retiling as necessary with fresh Victorian tiles, and grouting the whole floor. Of course, these replacement tiles were carefully sourced to ensure consistency, as far as possible, with the original pattern of the floor. The next day, I went over the whole floor with an application of the acid-based Tile Doctor Grout Clean Up, diluted with a little alkaline Pro Clean to form a cleaning solution. I then used a black pad to scrub the cleaner into the tiles, similarly to the previous day’s cleaning. This was followed by a through rinse with water to neutralise the floor. It was at this point that I noticed some stubborn cement stains remained so I set about breaking them down using a 60 grade hand held diamond polishing block, and this technique proved successful. After completing the clean, I left the floor to dry out for roughly 24 hours. Upon my return to the property to seal the tiles, I tested again for moisture. It is recommended to run damp tests before sealing, as excess moisture can cloud the sealer, affecting its performance in the long run. Fortunately, no dampness was detected and I was proceeded to seal the floor with seven coats of Tile Doctor Seal & Go, which enhances the natural colours in the stone and provides a nice satin gloss appearance, as requested by the customer. I was extremely pleased with the results of this restoration, as was the customer. The extent of the soil build up and damage was such before the restoration that, after completion, the floor looked like it had been newly laid! Julian Iancono South East Wales Tile Doctor

The goal of this project was to provide a lush and vast garden for the new owners of this recently remodeled brick Georgian. Located in Wheaton this acre plus property is surrounded by beautiful Oaks. Preserving the Oaks became a particular challenge with the ample front walk and generous entertaining spaces the client desired. Under most of the Oaks the turf was in very poor condition, and most of the property was covered with undesirable overgrown underbrush such as Garlic Mustard weed and Buckthorn. With a recently completed addition, the garages were pushed farther from the front door leaving a large distance between the drive and entry to the home. This prompted the addition of a secondary door off the kitchen. A meandering walk curves past the secondary entry and leads guests through the front garden to the main entry. Off the secondary door a “kitchen patio” complete with a custom gate and Green Mountain Boxwood hedge give the clients a quaint space to enjoy a morning cup of joe. Stepping stone pathways lead around the home and weave through multiple pocket gardens within the vast backyard. The paths extend deep into the property leading to individual and unique gardens with a variety of plantings that are tied together with rustic stonewalls and sinuous turf areas. Closer to the home a large paver patio opens up to the backyard gardens. New stoops were constructed and existing stoops were covered in bluestone and mortared stonewalls were added, complimenting the classic Georgian architecture. The completed project accomplished all the goals of creating a lush and vast garden that fit the remodeled home and lifestyle of its new owners. Through careful planning, all mature Oaks were preserved, undesirables removed and numerous new plantings along with detailed stonework helped to define the new landscape.