A small compartmentalized kitchen in a 720sqft house was opened up to create a great room. The walls were reconfigured in the house to promote a better functioning layout. The ceiling was raised approximately 6". New LED lights were installed throughout and a chandelier was added in the dining area. The new L-shape kitchen opens to a bright living space thanks to new windows and doors installed on the south facing side of the home. Water-proof laminate was installed throughout.

Advice on interior design is available everywhere—from TV shows and websites to books, magazines and apps. We love seeing people become engaged in design and educated on the wide range of possibilities. But we hope you’ll proceed with caution. It’s not that style errors are a matter of life and death. It’s just that it’s easy to choose designs that aren’t necessarily reflective of your own personality and character. And since you’re typically stuck with your interior design decisions for years, styles that don’t quite fit can tend to grate on you. Interiors that give one person comfort may unleash chaos in someone else. This goes beyond favorite colors or hot trends, right to the heart of interior design, where you find questions of composition, balance, repetition, space and more. The goal is to find that unique combination of design elements that gives you comfort, support and balance. In one home, that perfect balance was struck through the use of symmetry. A pair of comfortable swivel chairs sit beneath matching indigo patterned paintings. Matching bookcases below the paintings contain similar, but not identical, arrangements of books, vases and bowls. Woods and bronzes help warm up the simple white bookcase shelving. Two matching poufs in front of the fireplace provide additional seating. The sofa is accented with a pair of pillows with a blue pattern that echoes the artwork. The effect of the symmetry is to achieve order and simplicity, which I promote at every opportunity. After all, your home interiors should be the setting or the backdrop of your life—not center stage. Antique bronze and blue are complementary colors. Together, they offer a rich palette of richness and depth, which brings out the beauty of wood and stone. In the home office, a unique, whitewash-stained wooden desk rests on metal, Sawhorse-inspired legs for a warm, rustic look. The black leather chair features a contemporary silhouette with an antique brass frame. An adjustable desk lamp has bronze accents. The bookcase combines a sleek, black metal frame with concrete shelves, for another unusual pairing. It’s kept uncluttered for an orderly, peaceful look. Items on the shelves include a bronze-accented lamp and a pair of high gloss-finished wooden bookends. The elegant artwork behind the desk is a simple midnight-blue and bronze with mottled white. Deep blues are again picked up in the rug, which adds a stately vibe with a modern pattern and satisfying texture. Within the framework of symmetry, the living room repeats the blue-and-bronze color scheme. A large midcentury brass clock above the fireplace keeps the natural stone visible, rather than hidden behind a painting or television, while its straight lines and color create a beautiful contrast. The sofa is a soft, neutral blue. The pattern on the round brass side table features echoes the darker blue-patterned rug, as well as the rug in the office, tying the rooms together. Indigo blue books adjacent to bronze vases on the shelves repeat the color scheme. The soapstone-topped coffee table echoes the shape of the fireplace. A pair of tall, matching floor lamps with long wooden bases, brass pulls and simple linen shades combine both the colors and symmetry found throughout the home.

This primary bathroom remodel is part of a major update for a family of four that also included a wet bar and an epic mudroom in the lower level. The existing primary bathroom was outdated and lacked functionality. Design Objectives -Large shower with a bench -Freestanding tub with lumbar support -Ample storage and counter space -Keep an accessible view of the backyard Design Challenges: -Arrangement that maintains an unobstructed view of the wildlife in the backyard -Have the toilet be more private and not in the middle of the room, without closing in the rest of the space -Keeping the bathroom footprint open while incorporating separate vanities, a shower and a freestanding tub Design Solutions: -After reviewing many different floor plan options, we decided on placing the large freestanding tub at a 45-degree angle so the family can walk up to it and still look out the window. -We bumped into the primary bedroom about 4’ to accomplish a large shower without giving up bathroom floorspace. -Since we had both a large shower and a tub in this space there wasn’t quite enough room to fully enclose the toilet area. Instead, we “hid” it in the corner next to a sink vanity. We filled the space across from it with a tall linen cabinet. -Soft white tile on the floor and white painted walls keep this space light and bright while making the footprint feel wide and spacious. The natural light and numerous decorative light fixtures also brighten the space. The angled tub promotes visual flow. Even though this is the primary bathroom, the kids also like to use this space. It is spacious – with the two separate vanities, multiple family members can use this space at the same time.

Welcome to the heart of the home. The neutral palette of this expansive kitchen promotes peace amid busy days. It embodies comfort and warmth through rugs, rich navy seating, and practical cognac leather barstools, and its brightness reflects on its beautiful glass tile backdrop.

Advice on interior design is available everywhere—from TV shows and websites to books, magazines and apps. We love seeing people become engaged in design and educated on the wide range of possibilities. But we hope you’ll proceed with caution. It’s not that style errors are a matter of life and death. It’s just that it’s easy to choose designs that aren’t necessarily reflective of your own personality and character. And since you’re typically stuck with your interior design decisions for years, styles that don’t quite fit can tend to grate on you. Interiors that give one person comfort may unleash chaos in someone else. This goes beyond favorite colors or hot trends, right to the heart of interior design, where you find questions of composition, balance, repetition, space and more. The goal is to find that unique combination of design elements that gives you comfort, support and balance. In one home, that perfect balance was struck through the use of symmetry. A pair of comfortable swivel chairs sit beneath matching indigo patterned paintings. Matching bookcases below the paintings contain similar, but not identical, arrangements of books, vases and bowls. Woods and bronzes help warm up the simple white bookcase shelving. Two matching poufs in front of the fireplace provide additional seating. The sofa is accented with a pair of pillows with a blue pattern that echoes the artwork. The effect of the symmetry is to achieve order and simplicity, which I promote at every opportunity. After all, your home interiors should be the setting or the backdrop of your life—not center stage. Antique bronze and blue are complementary colors. Together, they offer a rich palette of richness and depth, which brings out the beauty of wood and stone. In the home office, a unique, whitewash-stained wooden desk rests on metal, Sawhorse-inspired legs for a warm, rustic look. The black leather chair features a contemporary silhouette with an antique brass frame. An adjustable desk lamp has bronze accents. The bookcase combines a sleek, black metal frame with concrete shelves, for another unusual pairing. It’s kept uncluttered for an orderly, peaceful look. Items on the shelves include a bronze-accented lamp and a pair of high gloss-finished wooden bookends. The elegant artwork behind the desk is a simple midnight-blue and bronze with mottled white. Deep blues are again picked up in the rug, which adds a stately vibe with a modern pattern and satisfying texture. Within the framework of symmetry, the living room repeats the blue-and-bronze color scheme. A large midcentury brass clock above the fireplace keeps the natural stone visible, rather than hidden behind a painting or television, while its straight lines and color create a beautiful contrast. The sofa is a soft, neutral blue. The pattern on the round brass side table features echoes the darker blue-patterned rug, as well as the rug in the office, tying the rooms together. Indigo blue books adjacent to bronze vases on the shelves repeat the color scheme. The soapstone-topped coffee table echoes the shape of the fireplace. A pair of tall, matching floor lamps with long wooden bases, brass pulls and simple linen shades combine both the colors and symmetry found throughout the home.

This bold and colourful kitchen was designed to meet the owners’ dream of entertaining large groups in their alpine vacation home. With an open concept main floor, the large island connects the chef to the space. Beautiful show kitchen connects to the living and dining rooms, promoting conversation, while the prep kitchen gives a functional working space. High gloss blue cabinets accented with gold fixtures give the show kitchen a luxury feel. Grounding wood ceiling and flooring keep the space feeling comfortable and warm. Full height quartz backsplash creates a clean finish. Prep kitchen includes added fridge/freezer, prep area, pantry, double oven, warming drawer, and two raised dishwashers. Layout of open-ended galley-style prep kitchen allows multiple people to work together. White cabinets provide clean base. Accessible with pantry rollouts, pull out bins, cookie sheet slots, etc. State of the art workstation prep sink. Groceries come in through the mudroom door. As an alpine retreat, the owners wanted to feel connected to the natural landscape. Bright blue skies of Big White reflect inside even on the foggiest days. Heavy snowfalls meant keeping the space open required hefty structural components. Structural timbers, glulams, and log posts are integrated into the design as a rustic accent. Used as a feature, the glulam beam holds the island pendants. With sightlines from the front entry to the expansive view windows, this kitchen is the central space for everyone to gather.

Advice on interior design is available everywhere—from TV shows and websites to books, magazines and apps. We love seeing people become engaged in design and educated on the wide range of possibilities. But we hope you’ll proceed with caution. It’s not that style errors are a matter of life and death. It’s just that it’s easy to choose designs that aren’t necessarily reflective of your own personality and character. And since you’re typically stuck with your interior design decisions for years, styles that don’t quite fit can tend to grate on you. Interiors that give one person comfort may unleash chaos in someone else. This goes beyond favorite colors or hot trends, right to the heart of interior design, where you find questions of composition, balance, repetition, space and more. The goal is to find that unique combination of design elements that gives you comfort, support and balance. In one home, that perfect balance was struck through the use of symmetry. A pair of comfortable swivel chairs sit beneath matching indigo patterned paintings. Matching bookcases below the paintings contain similar, but not identical, arrangements of books, vases and bowls. Woods and bronzes help warm up the simple white bookcase shelving. Two matching poufs in front of the fireplace provide additional seating. The sofa is accented with a pair of pillows with a blue pattern that echoes the artwork. The effect of the symmetry is to achieve order and simplicity, which I promote at every opportunity. After all, your home interiors should be the setting or the backdrop of your life—not center stage. Antique bronze and blue are complementary colors. Together, they offer a rich palette of richness and depth, which brings out the beauty of wood and stone. In the home office, a unique, whitewash-stained wooden desk rests on metal, Sawhorse-inspired legs for a warm, rustic look. The black leather chair features a contemporary silhouette with an antique brass frame. An adjustable desk lamp has bronze accents. The bookcase combines a sleek, black metal frame with concrete shelves, for another unusual pairing. It’s kept uncluttered for an orderly, peaceful look. Items on the shelves include a bronze-accented lamp and a pair of high gloss-finished wooden bookends. The elegant artwork behind the desk is a simple midnight-blue and bronze with mottled white. Deep blues are again picked up in the rug, which adds a stately vibe with a modern pattern and satisfying texture. Within the framework of symmetry, the living room repeats the blue-and-bronze color scheme. A large midcentury brass clock above the fireplace keeps the natural stone visible, rather than hidden behind a painting or television, while its straight lines and color create a beautiful contrast. The sofa is a soft, neutral blue. The pattern on the round brass side table features echoes the darker blue-patterned rug, as well as the rug in the office, tying the rooms together. Indigo blue books adjacent to bronze vases on the shelves repeat the color scheme. The soapstone-topped coffee table echoes the shape of the fireplace. A pair of tall, matching floor lamps with long wooden bases, brass pulls and simple linen shades combine both the colors and symmetry found throughout the home.

Contemporary Master Bath by Wood-Mode 42 featuring the Turin door style with Zebra doors and a Cherry box. Design features his and her vanity area along with a tall linen cabinet for extra storage. Walls are Yosemite Sand by Benjamin Moore. Flooring is Natural California Gold Slate. Pictures are copyright and for promotional use of Wood-Mode.

u2014 ALE: Wayne Rain Garden Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association u2014 ALE: Wayne Rain Garden Terren Landscapes http://www.terrenlandscapes.com 2014 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence winner Category: Residential Up to $15,000 Award Level: Gold Project Description: Our company was contracted by the client to provide a creative solution to an ongoing drainage problem. Their property is located within 30 feet of a local stream that collects storm water from the surrounding area. The nearby stream and high water table caused the lawn area at the side of their home to flood and to remain waterlogged for a few days after each storm. The client not only had difficulty growing plants in the existing conditions, but also had a problem with mosquitoes due to standing water. Our goal was to design a self-contained, naturalistic rain garden that slowed storm water runoff, allowed for percolation, and promoted infiltration while permitting excess clean water to enter the nearby stream with diminished force. As designed, the rain garden allows the earth to slowly and more naturally absorb excess storm water while filtering out toxins such as excess nitrogen and phosphorous which are frequently found in the landscape, therefore reducing the contaminants entering the stream. A percolation test was conducted with criteria of absorbing a one-inch rainstorm within four hours without overflow. The one-inch storm calculation included an existing downspout from the home, which would be piped into the rain garden to reduce roof runoff. The first test failed due to a deep layer of high clay-content soil. Excavation continued until a layer of sandy loam was reached, the percolation test was repeated, and a successful test result was achieved. Next, the entire rain garden basin was excavated to the sandy loam layer and the soil amended with compost and sand to create a highly porous planting media. Geotextile fabric was placed to help reduce migration of the surface stone into the soil and allow for minimal maintenance. Gravel, river stone and small boulders were carefully placed to achieve the look of a natural streambed. A palette of mostly native plants with a few non-invasive ornamentals were chosen for their ability to survive in extreme conditions ranging from floods to drought and were placed according to their specific preferences. Wetland plants were chosen for the lowest portion of the rain garden as that area remains saturated for longer periods of time, with a Chionanthus virginicus as a focal point surrounded by irises and ferns at the lowest depth. Plants tolerant of drier conditions were chosen for the upper edges of the garden. The beautiful colors of Monarda, Ligularia, Eupatorium, Solidago, Chelone, and Rudbeckia were scattered within the upper edge, while movement and softness were incorporated by use of the graceful Nassella that lines the border. Finally, winter interest was provided with a backdrop of Cornus sericea. As built, this small rain garden creates tremendous impact by decreasing the amount of storm water runoff not only on our client's property, but also in the neighboring stream. It serves as a means of slowing the water and providing an area for infiltration back into the earth. The plants provide a habitat for birds, butterflies, and insects, working in harmony with nature and providing beautiful visual interest year-round. Photo Credit: Lisa C. Falls

This bold and colourful kitchen was designed to meet the owners’ dream of entertaining large groups in their alpine vacation home. With an open concept main floor, the large island connects the chef to the space. Beautiful show kitchen connects to the living and dining rooms, promoting conversation, while the prep kitchen gives a functional working space. High gloss blue cabinets accented with gold fixtures give the show kitchen a luxury feel. Grounding wood ceiling and flooring keep the space feeling comfortable and warm. Full height quartz backsplash creates a clean finish. Prep kitchen includes added fridge/freezer, prep area, pantry, double oven, warming drawer, and two raised dishwashers. Layout of open-ended galley-style prep kitchen allows multiple people to work together. White cabinets provide clean base. Accessible with pantry rollouts, pull out bins, cookie sheet slots, etc. State of the art workstation prep sink. Groceries come in through the mudroom door. As an alpine retreat, the owners wanted to feel connected to the natural landscape. Bright blue skies of Big White reflect inside even on the foggiest days. Heavy snowfalls meant keeping the space open required hefty structural components. Structural timbers, glulams, and log posts are integrated into the design as a rustic accent. Used as a feature, the glulam beam holds the island pendants. With sightlines from the front entry to the expansive view windows, this kitchen is the central space for everyone to gather.

The perfect winter getaway for these Pacific Northwest clients of mine. I wanted to design a space that promoted relaxation (and sunbathing!), so my team and I adorned the home almost entirely in warm neutrals. To match the distinct artwork, we made sure to add in powerful pops of black, brass, and a tad of sparkle, offering strong touches of modern flair.