Sustainable Design Meets Smart Technology This home featured a request from the client to use as many environmentally friendly materials and fabrics as possible. Many common shade manufacturers use materials with PVC plastic, which is known for off-gassing hazardous chemicals that linger in the air in the home for years. The main floor roller shades met the client’s request for an eco-friendly fabric by utilizing motorized shades with GreenScreen fabric. In other rooms, the designer and client wanted the classic look and soft fabrics with roman shades and drapery tracks on several windows in the house. By partnering with the interior designer and fabric workroom, we were able to provide a custom solution for motorization of roman shades and drapery. Lighting Control The client is able control all of the lighting and window treatments in the house with a single control system. This eliminates the need for extra devices on the wall or remote controls that clutter up the space and get lost. By utilizing the custom window treatments, the house is able to conserve energy by keeping the house warmer in the winter, and cooler in the summer by providing insulation and blocking sunlight. The lighting control system further helps to conserve energy by beautifully dimming LED lights as well as using quick buttons that turn off all of the lights in the house, or un-occupied rooms, with the press of a single button. Motorized Window Treatments Motorized window treatments add a high level of convenience to any project, especially those with many windows in hard to reach places. The challenge with many manufacturers is a limitation of style and fabric selection, some may be as basic as only roller shades. Often times these come with un-reliable, wireless controls. On this Birmingham, MI project completed in March 2019, we partnered with the interior designer and drapery workroom to provide a truly unique solution. The homeowner and designer’s requests included many different styles of window treatments including rollers shades, roman shades and motorized draperies. Typically, this would result in a collection of various shade manufacturers with unsightly remotes scattered across each room or stuck to the wall for control. Utilizing standard offerings, coupled with an incredible team effort by the designer and drapery workroom, we provided all of the requested styles of window treatments, and were able to control them all on a single system. This means that each room has a single, elegant keypad built into the wall that controls not only the window treatments, but the lighting as well. When leaving/entering the home, all of the window coverings can be raised or lowered with a single button press. Shades and draperies can also be set to operate based on the time of day for automatic day-to-day operation using sunlight as a guide. In the end, we achieved convenience, function and sophisticated style.

Inspiration for a craftsman closet remodel in Minneapolis

Featured in Cottage Journal Magazine Summer 2025
Dining room - coastal dining room idea in Miami

Marie Claire Maison

Arts and crafts closet photo in Minneapolis

FineHomeBuilding.com - Jul 2013
Example of a mid-sized minimalist light wood floor and brown floor kitchen/dining room combo design in San Diego with beige walls and no fireplace

Complete room design by New South Home in Charlotte, NC
Enclosed dining room - mid-sized coastal light wood floor enclosed dining room idea in Charlotte with green walls and no fireplace

For more about Michelle Yorke, click here: https://michelleyorkedesign.com/

For more information about Breathe Design Studio, click here: https://www.breathedesignstudio.com/press

This beautiful kitchen designed by Lakeville Kitchen and Bath https://www.LakevilleIndustries.com was made with Medallion Cabinetry and has a flat panel shaker style door in a white icing paint. An amazing dark gray countertop brings this contemporary yet transitional kitchen to the next level.

DESIGNERLEBRITY: April 22, 2017 . . . Aaron's vision for the library was to present Mr. Robertson's classic lifestyle tale. "Jerry was the tastemaker of Ralph Lauren from 1983 to 1992. During his tenure, Jerry was responsible for the iconic Ralph Lauren NYC flagship store at the Gertrude Rhinelander Waldo House. Jerry’s design aesthetic, nuance, and attention to finite details, lead to the brands success. He was also the President of Ralph Lauren in Europe and responsible for the boutiques in London, Paris, Dallas, Beverly Hills, as well as several locations throughout Europe. Jerry was instrumental in collaborating with Ralph to create a singular vision for his brand. He later went on to work with Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors and Mossimo." Described in a word, Jerry epitomized the modern day "Gentleman". . . . http://www.designerlebrity.com/designerlebrity-talk/2017/4/19/aaron-duke

For more information about Urbanology Designs, click here: https://www.urbanologydesigns.com/press

Browse some of my bungalow and cottage interiors featured in numerous New York magazines! Light and airy contemporary spaces perfect for guests or to hang out and relax.

Craftsman exterior home idea in Atlanta

https://www.contemporist.com/exterior-wood-siding-protects-this-modern-house-in-canada/

Gambit's Cue

San Diego Home/Garden July 2010
Example of a mid-sized ornate dark wood floor and brown floor enclosed dining room design in San Diego with brown walls and no fireplace