A solar screen shade in Freedom PA. Exterior Solar Shades are solving the problem of sun glare and heat build up in the outside porch.
Concrete screened-in side porch idea in Other with an awning

This cozy ocean-side condo kitchen was dated and crowded when more than one person was in the kitchen. We solved this problem by moving the refrigerator out of the middle of the kitchen to where the pantry closet had been. Replacing the pantry closet with a floor to ceiling pantry cabinet freed up floor space and allowed for additional countertop space. Now the couple can move around together in the kitchen. The new cabinets were done in a maple Portland door done in white from our Kitchen Solvers Classic Collection line. Next, we added a new white quartz countertop and a beach glass flowing backsplash. Our clients’ love for the beach and ocean is reflected in the lighter colored cabinets, countertop, and backsplash. The new layout, storage solutions and all new appliances made this small kitchen a big success.

Aluminum shutters provide protection against the weather and add a special design touch.
Example of a classic living room design with brown walls

Large West Chester PA Master bath remodel. The clients wanted more storage, his and hers vanities, and no tub. A linen closet, plenty of drawers, and additional cabinetry storage were designed to solve that problem. Fieldstone cabinetry in the Moss Green painted finish really looks sharp. The floor was tiled in large 4’x4’ tiles for a clean look with minimal grout lines. The wainscoting and shower tile were also simple large tiles in a natural tone that tie in nicely with the beautiful granite countertops and shower wall caps. New trims, louvered toilet room and pocket entry door were added and stained to match the original trim throughout the home. ( Perfect match by our finisher ) Frameless glass shower surround, new lighted vanity mirrors, and additional recessed ceiling lights finish out the new look. Another awesome bathroom with happy clients.

We’ve used the core principles of sustainable design and firescaping in this breathtaking garden: permeable hardscape elements, proper grading and infiltration zones that solve the existing drainage problems and absorb the stormwater runoff, a plant palette of predominantly California native plants and an ultra-low water Kurapia lawn, organic soil building, and efficient drip irrigation with a smart timer.

This is a simple addition to the back deck to create an outdoor kitchen and outdoor dining area. A fire pit by the water creates another seating area out in the lawn and gives a perfect place to watch the sun set. The steps and walls improve the access to the boat dock and solve an erosion problem. Photographed by: Emerald Coast Real Estate Photography

Bonus rooms are common in houses today. However, many times it is hard to designate a use for them because they are so big and can have awkward ceiling shapes. This room solves the problem by creating a guest suite (or shared children's room) by putting two full size beds in the alcove area and creating a sitting room area in the rest of the space.

Entertaining friends and family doesn't work well when rooms are small and closed off. So when our clients decided to remodel, they knew they wanted to open up the space to accommodate large gatherings. Also important were ample storage and quality appliances that would hold up to the demands of cooking creative meals several nights a week. As is sometimes the case with remodeling, solving one problem can create another. Opening up the space involved removing a wall, which sacrificed critical square footage for cabinetry and appliances. We knew the wall needed to come down so we were challenged with making sure every available cabinet space in the kitchen was being utilized as thoughtfully and creatively as possible. A tall pantry was added next to the refrigerator to allow for storage of pots and pans, as well as food, while another pantry in the adjacent dining room housed all dishes and silverware. A small bar area was created in an unused section in the back of the home to store coffee and tea accessories and drinkware. Finally, a small island in the center of the kitchen offered the ideal location for the microwave and most-used pots and pans. With the expanded space, smart use of storage options and top-notch appliances, our clients are enjoying working in their new kitchen and have already hosted a ravioli-making class! Matt Villano Photography

Joe Cotitta Epic Photography joecotitta@cox.net:
Example of a mid-sized transitional master white tile marble floor bathroom design in Phoenix with beige cabinets, beige walls and an undermount sink

This corner lot was taking on a lot of water from the street, as well as headlights from passing cars. To solve both problems, we created a berm and densely planted it with evergreen screening plants. The berm redirects water around the house, as well as elevating the plant material.

One feature palm was salvaged when this seven year old Mediterranean style residence on the Caloosahatchee River underwent a complete landscape and hardscape remodel in the beginning of 2015. The landscape had not been properly maintained for a few years prior to when the new owners purchased in 2014, was overgrown and unhealthy and therefore was in need of a complete evaluation and landscape overhall. The original red brick concrete pavers were removed and replaced with a gold travertine blend with ivory travertine border for accent. The front entry stair was expanded and redesigned for a more significant and welcoming front door. The side yard had a significant slope from the foundation of the house to the seawall and had significant erosion damage. This space was re-graded, grading and drainage was repaired and re-routed and a 70 foot long retaining wall was installed. The retaining wall not only solved the stormwater washout problem, but also provided a level space for a private side yard tropical palm garden and pathway to access both the pool deck and the walk along the seawall. The stairs to the pool deck, dock and landing were all completely modified for ease of use. Aside from the tropical and beautiful landscape that was installed, the most significant visual and aesthetic improvement to this property was the addition of three 9 foot tall by 5 foot wide natural stone water walls with stone basins that were designed to fit within the archways at the driveway entry and designed to complement the architecture of the residence. These water walls offer ambient noise, visual interest and have completely improved the use and entry experience for the homeowner and visitors. Tropical shade bromeliads, alocasias, cordylines and ferns dress up the new landscape beds at the entry and along the front foundation where previously red brick intersected the foundation walls for a mundane solution. Other elements of interest include the cable wire espalier that was installed in front of the archway on both sides of the entry way for colorful bougainvillea trellis vine to climb and soften the tall walls and eventually connect over the arch. Confederate jasmine vine will soften the garage corner on the cable wire trellis installed and there is also a 4 foot wide by 18 foot tall cable wire espalier on a tall, once stark, wall on the pool deck. Three pool planters were reconfigured and planted with large triple princess palms and bold blue-tone pottery was selected to add interest and color to the pool deck. Micro-drip irrigation was connected to the pool planters and pottery for a low maintenance solution. This project was a collaborative effort with an ideal client who was open to all design ideas, who worked closely with the design team, and was a great success for both the client and R.S. Walsh Landscaping.

Living room - light wood floor living room idea in Charleston

Garden travels. Golden barrel cactuses thrive in a narrow planting area.

Some rooms never quite find their purpose. That was the case with this space, which had gradually become a combination home office, pantry overflow area, pet zone, and general catch-all for daily life. While it offered plenty of square footage, it wasn’t helping the homeowners stay organized, and valuable storage was scattered between an overcrowded pantry closet and various pieces of furniture throughout the room. Having previously partnered with Drury Design on a kitchen remodel, these homeowners once again turned to Senior Designer Samantha Schoell to help them rethink how their home could better support the way they actually live. What began as a conversation about adding some cabinetry quickly evolved into a comprehensive storage solution — one designed to accommodate everything from groceries and sports equipment to pet supplies and everyday household essentials. Design Objectives: Create Organization: Consolidate pantry overflow, household supplies, and everyday essentials into a single, highly functional space. Support Family Life: Provide dedicated storage for coats, bags, sports equipment, and the routines of an active household. Accommodate Pets: Incorporate thoughtful features for the family’s dogs while maintaining a clean, organized appearance. Maximize Existing Space: Transform an underutilized room without expanding the home’s footprint. Maintain Flexibility: Preserve the room’s long-term versatility and appeal for future homeowners. Design Challenges: Multiple Functions: The room was being used simultaneously as a home office, pantry, storage area, and pet space without a cohesive organizational strategy. Insufficient Pantry Storage: The nearby pantry closet had become overcrowded and difficult to navigate. Visual Clutter: Everyday items, pet supplies, and household necessities lacked dedicated storage locations. Unused Potential: Despite its generous size, the room was not contributing meaningfully to the home’s overall functionality. Balancing Practicality and Style: The homeowners wanted substantial storage without creating a space that felt overly utilitarian. Design Solutions: Purpose-Built Storage Plan: Custom cabinetry was designed to support multiple functions within a unified storage system, allowing the room to serve as a mudroom, pantry extension, household hub, and pet station. Expanded Pantry Capacity: Floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, a secondary refrigerator, and extensive drawer storage dramatically increased food storage and organization capabilities. Hidden Organization: Closed cabinetry conceals household items, sports gear, pet supplies, and everyday clutter, creating a calm and orderly appearance. Full-Room Transformation: Rather than simply adding cabinets to one wall, the design reimagined the entire room, utilizing its footprint to create a true family command center. Furniture-Inspired Cabinetry: Warm wood finishes, decorative hardware, open display shelving, and thoughtful detailing elevate the room beyond pure utility, helping it feel like a natural extension of the home’s design. The most successful remodeling projects often solve problems homeowners have simply learned to live with. In this case, a room that once served several purposes — but excelled at none — was transformed into one of the hardest-working spaces in the home. Today, groceries, pet supplies, seasonal gear, household essentials, and daily routines all have a designated place. Even the family’s dogs were thoughtfully considered, with a built-in resting area integrated into the cabinetry. The result is a room that feels remarkably organized despite supporting countless everyday activities — a reflection of how thoughtful design can bring clarity, efficiency, and calm to the busiest parts of family life.

The kitchen, while spacious, was completely enclosed from the living and dining room spaces and did not utilize the space efficiently. Traffic flow between the indoors and outdoors was disjointed, and the new kitchen layout solves those problems. The new design eliminates the walls in the kitchen to create an open space for entertaining, and an exterior door was added off the kitchen to facilitate a better traffic flow to the outdoor entertaining space. New cabinets, countertops, flooring, appliances, light fixtures, and finishes help to brighten and modernize the space.

Photography by Tommy Kile
Mid-sized classic back porch idea in Austin with a fire pit and a roof extension

Lighting is one of the main advantages of this great kitchen. Of course, the large windows in the kitchen allow daylight to easily enter the room, but in the evening, the owners of this apartment cannot do without effective artificial lighting. Unlike most prestigious kitchens with contemporary design styles, you can't see many different types of lighting here. Our interior designers solved the lighting problem with the help of original beautiful large pendant lamps. Make your kitchen as beautiful, stylish, and functional as this one together with our outstanding interior designers!

This amazing renovation focused on solving a series of problems that a previous kitchen expansion had created. By rearranging the appliance placement, updating the cabinetry, designing all new storage solutions and maximizing the amazing outdoor views; we cured the spit personality disorder plaguing the existing kitchen. The home now has a beautifully redesigned kitchen and living space perfect for entertaining, relaxing and enjoying the outside views. Vaulted ceilings with bright skylights, reflective glass wall tiles, sleek sophisticated Cambria quartz counter tops, fingerprint-free faucet, multi-functional Prolific kitchen sink by Kohler, stainless steel appliances, creative storage solutions, all new lighting and timeless shaker cabinets by Wellborn lend to the now bright, open, vivacious and flawless function of this newly renovated galley style kitchen. White base cabinets along the outside walls contrast perfectly with the dark grey island cabinets. Linear satin nickel door and drawer pulls coordinate with the stainless steel appliances and sink. An eclectic blend of vintage and modern furnishings, artwork and rugs create a comfortable balance that feels and looks timeless. Breathtaking backyard views are artfully framed by new Pella windows and doors with integral blinds between the glass. Calm, inviting neutral tones provide the perfect backdrop for this refined design. Photos by: Kimberly Kerl

My client in Alberta, Canada wanted more privacy on their front door side panels. I created this Forest privacy film to solve the problem. It looks as though you are looking out into a forest scene with beautiful brook. My client was very pleased with the end result.