Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary partial sun backyard mulch water fountain landscape in Baltimore.

Jonathan Dean
Example of a classic patio design in Miami with a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

conversion of garage to gym, Jeff Allen Photography
Inspiration for a timeless detached studio / workshop shed remodel in Boston

Awesome and realistic wood floor look, but 100% waterproof. A perfect floor for many other uses, but especially for a beach apartment where the humidity can bear down and create problems for natural wood floors when the owners are not in town. Accessories selected and all design work by Christine Ridgeway - Empire Designs. Photography by: Doug Stevens: Snap Happy Photos, LLC. Miami Florida

Dining room - transitional dining room idea in San Diego

The unique construction of Earthscapes provides comfortable and carefree living in any room of your home, especially those where moisture might be a problem. Designed to mimic the look of hardwood and ceramic it is available in a variety of styles from coastal greys to classic mahogany.

With the installation of raised beds and drip irrigation we were able to mitigate a few of the problems the homeowners were having with heavy clay soil and damp conditions that plagued their garden.

In the hills North of Santa Fe, New Mexico. A friend and client bought this wonderful older home with beautiful 360 degree views. The problem was the home was dark and outdated, especially the Kitchen, Entry and bathrooms. Our objective was to hold true to Santa Fe style while updating and brightening the home inside and out. The result was stunning.

This project, sitting on a little more than 3.5 acres on Rivercrest was completed in 3 years with a total square footage of more than 26,000 square feet. Typically modern homes are smaller. At a certain size, usually around 4,000 square feet, the difficulty with modern or contemporary architecture becomes scale, and the minimalist idea gets lost. Whenever you get to this scale of house at over 26,000 square feet, this problem adds a layer of complexity. Connie Anderson Photography

In the hills North of Santa Fe, New Mexico. A friend and client bought this wonderful older home with beautiful 360 degree views. The problem was the home was dark and outdated, especially the Kitchen, Entry and bathrooms. Our objective was to hold true to Santa Fe style while updating and brightening the home inside and out. The result was stunning.

Photo of a mid-sized rustic partial sun backyard mulch water fountain landscape in Baltimore.

poject by d KISER design.construct, inc. Photography by Colin Conces
Small trendy white tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile and white floor drop-in bathtub photo in Omaha with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, an undermount sink, quartzite countertops and white countertops

This beautiful and custom LDK kitchen, family room, and staircase could be in your new custom home, no problem! We love this contemporary and crisp home! What is your favorite feature of this floor?

Kitchen - country kitchen idea in Salt Lake City

Family room library - eclectic enclosed dark wood floor, brown floor and wainscoting family room library idea in Chicago with blue walls

Kitchen - large traditional galley porcelain tile and brown floor kitchen idea in Austin with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite countertops, gray backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

This beautiful North Vancouver home belongs to a nature-loving and health-conscious couple, Emma and Vince (names changed), their two young children, and their dog, Jasper. When they contacted us about renovating and furnishing their kitchen and family room, we walked in and saw a world of potential waiting to be uncovered. Before: Larkhall Crescent Home: Like many original North Vancouver homes, the interior was definitely dated. We encountered late ‘80s finishes in powder pink and teal green, old carpet, and a kitchen that wasn’t maximized to suit this family’s modern-day lifestyle. However, the size of the rooms offered us a ton of space with which to get creative. Knowing our clients’ love of cooking, need for work spaces (Emma and Vince both work remotely), and growing family, we developed a design concept that would increase usable space, optimize storage, and create intimacy in this large area. As for the style, we were inspired by their European roots, inventing a new and modern take on “Belgian Farmhouse” style. Now, the home is truly one-of-a-kind. After: Warm & Cozy Family Room: Fresh, bright, and comfortable, this living area has been transformed! We started with the fireplace as a focal point, selecting aged brick tiles for added texture and a crisp wood mantle. The taupe-coloured sectional infuses the room with visual warmth and serves the added purpose of separating the family room from the kitchen. Emma and Vince were also keen on using non-toxic materials in their home, and we were happy to oblige. To meet their needs, we sourced natural wood elements and sought out Canadian-made products - that adhere to high health standards - whenever possible. Look closer at the elements of this space, and you will find this stunning, honeycomb-patterned rug in earthy gold, beige, and charcoal tones. It’s plush to the touch and full of visual texture that brings this room’s colour palette together. We sourced these two-tone chairs with caning, petrified wood side table, black sconces, and botanical prints in greyscale from local artist, Heather Johnston. We topped off the space with this dark wood and rattan console that offers storage facing the kitchen and presents an opportunity to display cherished items. The result is a cozy lounging space brimming with comfort and functionality. It’s perfect for enjoying quality family time, or Emma can simply slide the coffee table away to make room for her morning yoga practice. Now, let’s turn around and give some attention to the kitchen. Do you remember what the original kitchen looked like? If not, scroll back up, because the transformation is shocking… Moody & Welcoming Kitchen for Healthy Living: This kitchen looks very different from how it started, right? Though we didn’t touch any walls, the kitchen has almost doubled in usable space! We created a long, extended island with storage, an outlet for small appliances, and seating for comfortable prep, after-school snacking, or mingling among friends. On the other side of the island, the family has even more storage and an integrated dishwasher within easy reach of the sink, perfect for quick clean-up. From this angle, you can also see the expansive custom Shaker cabinetry in white and the integrated double ovens. These facilitate their cooking experience and gave us the opportunity to add an additional surprise… A coffee garage station and more hidden storage! Keeping these items located along the perimeter allows them to be accessed by the family or their guests without someone getting under the cook’s feet. These are the little details that make everyday life easier and more enjoyable. Moving deeper into the kitchen, the seamless induction cooktop topped with a freestanding concealed hood fan commands attention in a soft yet prominent way. The natural wood accent mirrors the fireplace mantle, and the choice of off-black wood-grain cabinets not only continues our black-and-white colour palette but adds a sense of depth and contrast. The corner sink is located to the right and perfectly positioned with a view of their thriving backyard. To invite more of this family’s character into the space, we mixed metals for interest — matte black, dark pewter, and warm brass — and created open shelves in white oak for their plants and decor. You can also glimpse the tumbled edge of the backsplash tile, which echoes the rustic brick of the fireplace. It adds that farmhouse charm while still feeling timeless and sophisticated. Last but not least, we designed this dining banquette in the bay window (with integrated bench storage, of course), where the family can share a meal together, the kids can do homework, or Emma and Vince can work and enjoy a change of scenery from their offices. Like the other spaces in the home, it was designed to be beautiful, multi-functional, and long-lasting. Praise from Our Clients: It is clear that we love this home, but what did our clients have to say? “Lori is a visionary and masters execution to the finest detail all at the same time. When she first met us to know more about who we are and how we live, she could right away envision how we could use the space in our kitchen and living room…The results exceeded our expectations. Lori and her team were also a delight to work with — coordination with all the trades, fast problem-solving, regular updates, professional and friendly attitude of her entire team — made it the dream team. Thank you SHD for making our space so beautiful!” In turn, we are so grateful for this family’s trust, their open communication, and for being wonderful people with whom to work. (So, thank you!)

Problem: You think a headboard would look great in your bedroom but anything you find is too clunky or too prison-bars-y for your vibe. Solution? Use the wall above your bed for a boardless headboard using just some painter's tape and Emerald® paint by Sherwin-Williams in Alyssum SW 6589 and Youthful Coral SW 6604.

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary partial sun backyard mulch water fountain landscape in Baltimore.