This project began with a beautiful Koi pond under a large patio cover, but the homeowner struggled with two major issues: • Lack of privacy between the driveway and patio • A breezeway roofline that didn’t align with the exterior brick, causing rainwater to pour into the gap and flood the patio during storms As part of our exterior remodeling and water‑management correction, we redesigned the entire connection between the breezeway, patio, and driveway. ? Phase 1: Structural Fixes & Weather Protection • Converted the original 4' brick wall and gate into a full‑height privacy wall with an exterior door, creating a secure, enclosed patio space. • Extended and realigned the breezeway roofline to properly tie into the home’s brick, eliminating water intrusion and preventing patio flooding. • Installed a solar tube to bring natural daylight into the pond area without adding heat — a perfect upgrade for shaded patios. ? Phase 2: Creating a Backyard Oasis After seeing the transformation, the homeowner invited us back to complete the space with a custom screen wall across the backside of the patio. This addition created a private, breezy, bug‑free outdoor retreat, ideal for relaxing around the Koi pond. ? Serving Cypress, Tomball, Champions & Northwest Houston This project is a great example of how we solve privacy issues, roofline and drainage problems, and patio enclosure upgrades to help homeowners get more out of their outdoor spaces.

This project began with a beautiful Koi pond under a large patio cover, but the homeowner struggled with two major issues: • Lack of privacy between the driveway and patio • A breezeway roofline that didn’t align with the exterior brick, causing rainwater to pour into the gap and flood the patio during storms As part of our exterior remodeling and water‑management correction, we redesigned the entire connection between the breezeway, patio, and driveway. ? Phase 1: Structural Fixes & Weather Protection • Converted the original 4' brick wall and gate into a full‑height privacy wall with an exterior door, creating a secure, enclosed patio space. • Extended and realigned the breezeway roofline to properly tie into the home’s brick, eliminating water intrusion and preventing patio flooding. • Installed a solar tube to bring natural daylight into the pond area without adding heat — a perfect upgrade for shaded patios. ? Phase 2: Creating a Backyard Oasis After seeing the transformation, the homeowner invited us back to complete the space with a custom screen wall across the backside of the patio. This addition created a private, breezy, bug‑free outdoor retreat, ideal for relaxing around the Koi pond. ? Serving Cypress, Tomball, Champions & Northwest Houston This project is a great example of how we solve privacy issues, roofline and drainage problems, and patio enclosure upgrades to help homeowners get more out of their outdoor spaces.

This project began with a beautiful Koi pond under a large patio cover, but the homeowner struggled with two major issues: • Lack of privacy between the driveway and patio • A breezeway roofline that didn’t align with the exterior brick, causing rainwater to pour into the gap and flood the patio during storms As part of our exterior remodeling and water‑management correction, we redesigned the entire connection between the breezeway, patio, and driveway. ? Phase 1: Structural Fixes & Weather Protection • Converted the original 4' brick wall and gate into a full‑height privacy wall with an exterior door, creating a secure, enclosed patio space. • Extended and realigned the breezeway roofline to properly tie into the home’s brick, eliminating water intrusion and preventing patio flooding. • Installed a solar tube to bring natural daylight into the pond area without adding heat — a perfect upgrade for shaded patios. ? Phase 2: Creating a Backyard Oasis After seeing the transformation, the homeowner invited us back to complete the space with a custom screen wall across the backside of the patio. This addition created a private, breezy, bug‑free outdoor retreat, ideal for relaxing around the Koi pond. ? Serving Cypress, Tomball, Champions & Northwest Houston This project is a great example of how we solve privacy issues, roofline and drainage problems, and patio enclosure upgrades to help homeowners get more out of their outdoor spaces.

This project began with a beautiful Koi pond under a large patio cover, but the homeowner struggled with two major issues: • Lack of privacy between the driveway and patio • A breezeway roofline that didn’t align with the exterior brick, causing rainwater to pour into the gap and flood the patio during storms As part of our exterior remodeling and water‑management correction, we redesigned the entire connection between the breezeway, patio, and driveway. ? Phase 1: Structural Fixes & Weather Protection • Converted the original 4' brick wall and gate into a full‑height privacy wall with an exterior door, creating a secure, enclosed patio space. • Extended and realigned the breezeway roofline to properly tie into the home’s brick, eliminating water intrusion and preventing patio flooding. • Installed a solar tube to bring natural daylight into the pond area without adding heat — a perfect upgrade for shaded patios. ? Phase 2: Creating a Backyard Oasis After seeing the transformation, the homeowner invited us back to complete the space with a custom screen wall across the backside of the patio. This addition created a private, breezy, bug‑free outdoor retreat, ideal for relaxing around the Koi pond. ? Serving Cypress, Tomball, Champions & Northwest Houston This project is a great example of how we solve privacy issues, roofline and drainage problems, and patio enclosure upgrades to help homeowners get more out of their outdoor spaces.

This project began with a beautiful Koi pond under a large patio cover, but the homeowner struggled with two major issues: • Lack of privacy between the driveway and patio • A breezeway roofline that didn’t align with the exterior brick, causing rainwater to pour into the gap and flood the patio during storms As part of our exterior remodeling and water‑management correction, we redesigned the entire connection between the breezeway, patio, and driveway. ? Phase 1: Structural Fixes & Weather Protection • Converted the original 4' brick wall and gate into a full‑height privacy wall with an exterior door, creating a secure, enclosed patio space. • Extended and realigned the breezeway roofline to properly tie into the home’s brick, eliminating water intrusion and preventing patio flooding. • Installed a solar tube to bring natural daylight into the pond area without adding heat — a perfect upgrade for shaded patios. ? Phase 2: Creating a Backyard Oasis After seeing the transformation, the homeowner invited us back to complete the space with a custom screen wall across the backside of the patio. This addition created a private, breezy, bug‑free outdoor retreat, ideal for relaxing around the Koi pond. ? Serving Cypress, Tomball, Champions & Northwest Houston This project is a great example of how we solve privacy issues, roofline and drainage problems, and patio enclosure upgrades to help homeowners get more out of their outdoor spaces.

This project began with a beautiful Koi pond under a large patio cover, but the homeowner struggled with two major issues: • Lack of privacy between the driveway and patio • A breezeway roofline that didn’t align with the exterior brick, causing rainwater to pour into the gap and flood the patio during storms As part of our exterior remodeling and water‑management correction, we redesigned the entire connection between the breezeway, patio, and driveway. ? Phase 1: Structural Fixes & Weather Protection • Converted the original 4' brick wall and gate into a full‑height privacy wall with an exterior door, creating a secure, enclosed patio space. • Extended and realigned the breezeway roofline to properly tie into the home’s brick, eliminating water intrusion and preventing patio flooding. • Installed a solar tube to bring natural daylight into the pond area without adding heat — a perfect upgrade for shaded patios. ? Phase 2: Creating a Backyard Oasis After seeing the transformation, the homeowner invited us back to complete the space with a custom screen wall across the backside of the patio. This addition created a private, breezy, bug‑free outdoor retreat, ideal for relaxing around the Koi pond. ? Serving Cypress, Tomball, Champions & Northwest Houston This project is a great example of how we solve privacy issues, roofline and drainage problems, and patio enclosure upgrades to help homeowners get more out of their outdoor spaces.

Rick Frank
Example of a transitional pool design in Houston

The homeowners had a very specific vision for their large daylight basement. To begin, Neil Kelly's team, led by Portland Design Consultant Fabian Genovesi, took down numerous walls to completely open up the space, including the ceilings, and removed carpet to expose the concrete flooring. The concrete flooring was repaired, resurfaced and sealed with cracks in tact for authenticity. Beams and ductwork were left exposed, yet refined, with additional piping to conceal electrical and gas lines. Century-old reclaimed brick was hand-picked by the homeowner for the east interior wall, encasing stained glass windows which were are also reclaimed and more than 100 years old. Aluminum bar-top seating areas in two spaces. A media center with custom cabinetry and pistons repurposed as cabinet pulls. And the star of the show, a full 4-seat wet bar with custom glass shelving, more custom cabinetry, and an integrated television-- one of 3 TVs in the space. The new one-of-a-kind basement has room for a professional 10-person poker table, pool table, 14' shuffleboard table, and plush seating.

Capturing the critical importance of EMF testing, this professional photo showcases a certified inspector using a state-of-the-art EMF meter to measure dirty electricity levels near a home's electrical panel. The meter's digital display glows with clear numerical readings, while the inspector's careful positioning demonstrates proper testing technique for accurate measurements. Dirty electricity testing is crucial for modern homes because: Poor power quality can affect both human health and electronic equipment performance. When your home's electrical system carries microsurges and voltage spikes (dirty electricity), it can contribute to headaches, fatigue, and sleep issues. Additionally, sensitive electronics may malfunction or have shortened lifespans when exposed to poor power quality. Dirty electricity often stems from modern devices like LED lights, smart appliances, solar inverters, and dimmer switches. These technologies, while energy-efficient, can create electrical noise that travels throughout your home's wiring. Professional testing helps identify problematic areas and guides targeted solutions like whole-house filters or circuit-specific interventions. For families concerned about creating a truly healthy home environment, dirty electricity testing is an essential but often overlooked assessment. Our comprehensive testing services help identify EMF hotspots and power quality issues, allowing us to recommend effective mitigation strategies for a cleaner electrical environment. [Note: This description would pair well with a photo on Houzz showcasing EMF inspection services and healthy home practices.]

DESIGNED BY TOC design CONSTRUCTION BY TOC design & Construction inc. PHOTOS BY : Tania Scardellato I was fortunate to have a young family approach me in desperate need to renovate there only 3 piece bathroom. This space was In dire need of a remodel, with old brown wall to wall tiles and a dated bulky yellow brown single sink vanity. Storage was a must, lighting a necessity, and proper accessibility to the shower bath area. We had a tight budget to respect, but a full gut of this bathroom was required. And a good thing too, once we started doing the demolition we noticed that mildew and rotting floors and walls had accumulated throughout the years. Doing it right the first time is no joke when dealing with water and electrical issues. We discarded all reminisce of old and built from scratch, new walls, new plumbing, new electrical ,new insulation and a new window, a new fan that actually exhausted outside ( I say this laughing as you would be amazed at how many fans are installed but don’t exhaust outside, and you the client would never know unless you go inside the attic space. Once all the hard stuff was done, the rest is just a matter of smart design. If you have a small bathroom here are some tips to guide you. 10 tips for making a small bathroom feel larger Is your tiny bathroom cramping your functionality and style, leaving you longing for the enormous bathrooms gracing the pages of design magazines? Even if your bathroom is a fraction of the size, all it takes is some design savvy to make the most of the space you have. Consider these 10 smart tips that will help your bathroom look, feel and function like those larger contenders. 1-Get creative with corners Space is at a premium in small bathrooms, so it's important to maximize every inch. Corners, for example, provide extra space for shelving, storage units and even hooks. Get creative and install unique design solutions that are not only functional, but also eye-catching. If you love the airiness of floating cabinets, add baskets or decorative boxes under for extra storage. If you are installing floating cabinets insure that they are installed securely to studs or plywood at wall. 2- Let solid colors shine Busy patterns have a shrinking effect and make small bathrooms seem even smaller. Conversely, light natural hues make a space feel more open. If you're itching to get creative with design, experiment with textures but keep overpowering patterns to a minimum. Tone on tone is the best to achieve this. 3 - Maximize your bathtub A bathtub takes up a significant portion of the room, but modern, compact options with curved basins, can make the tub feel larger when in use, all while conserving space. 4 - Select a smaller faucet A faucet is jewelry for the bathroom. And just as accessories can overpower an outfit, a big bulky faucet isn't flattering in a small bath. Single-handle designs conserve counter space, while a wall-mount installation frees it up all together and can create quite the wow-factor, if the budget can accommodate the required changes to plumbing behind the wall. 5 - Make vanity storage simple If you're in a storage war with your small bathroom, you're not alone in the battle. Toiletries and personal supplies without a place to call home only add clutter and chaos. Store smart with a space-saving vanity, the dual sink vanity shown here, looks quite simple, but in reality it has 4 sets of full extension drawers, and the vanity tower adds extra storage without overpowering the use of space. 6 - Show off the shower Shower curtains may be pretty, but they interrupt the visual flow of a bathing space and make it feel significantly smaller. In bathrooms with small footprints, opt for a clear glass sliding shower door that doesn't require the clearance of one with a hinged design. Or as shown in this design and for fraction less expensive a half hinged panel installed on a fixed tempered glass panel. If you're embarking on a big remodel, create the illusion of more space by using same tile in the shower that's used throughout; instead of seeing them as two separate zones, the eye will read them as one. 7 - Discover the treasure of hidden storage Work with a contractor, and you just might find some serious storage potential hidden behind your walls. Whether it's utilizing space between the studs for shallow shelving or a creating a small linen closet by annexing space from an adjacent room, even small additions can make a big difference. 8 - Focal Point Tile is a beautiful, durable addition to any bathroom. For dainty spaces, consider installing tile at a diagonal to accentuate the focal point or as in this bathroom I used an oversized textured pattern to bring depth to the space at the window wall. 9 - Choose the right lights Strategically install light to reflect and brighten a small bathroom to make it appear larger. Recessed lighting is an affordable solution for tiny rooms, offering ample light while taking up little space. Wall sconces alongside a mirror also reflect off the walls and make a room feel bright and airy. I always recommend going with LED lighting at 2800 to 3000K. 10 – Accessorize This is your time to shine in your decorating skills, have fun with your towels, you can change the color scheme daily just by adding pops of color in your accessories, make sure to get items that serve a dual purpose, like baskets, boxes they can always be used as hampers, storing of towels and even a nice display for your guest.

Our client wanted a nice, tranquil, and easy to maintain new backyard space to replace the cluttered and overgrown space that they inherited when they purchased their new home. They had some major drainage issues from a "hole" under the old deck and the previous owners had built the deck right over the egress window well from the basement, which is not to code. We demo'd the old yard, ensured proper drainage with a survey, and built an easy to maintain solid paver surface for lots of sitting options and a future spa. We ran 220v power for the spa as well as had an egress cover made for the window well so now it is safe for occupants as well as for kids or pets so they don't fall in. What a transformation!!

How Planning Leads to Successful Construction Construction projects, whether small residential jobs or large commercial builds, require more than just skilled labor and high-quality materials. The foundation of a successful project lies in effective planning. Proper planning ensures efficiency, minimizes risks, and keeps the project within budget and on schedule. Here’s how thorough planning leads to successful construction: 1. Clear Project Scope and Objectives Defining the project scope early on helps prevent scope creep and miscommunication. Establishing clear goals, deliverables, and timelines ensures that everyone involved understands the expectations. This prevents delays and unnecessary changes during construction. 2. Accurate Budgeting and Cost Control A well-planned project includes a detailed cost estimation. This accounts for labor, materials, permits, and unexpected contingencies. Without proper budgeting, costs can spiral out of control, leading to financial strain and potential project failure. 3. Efficient Resource Management Proper planning helps allocate resources effectively, including manpower, equipment, and materials. Scheduling workers and ordering materials at the right time avoids delays caused by shortages or logistical issues. 4. Risk Identification and Mitigation Every construction project comes with risks—weather delays, supply chain issues, safety hazards, or regulatory compliance concerns. Planning ahead allows for risk assessment and the implementation of strategies to mitigate potential problems before they occur. 5. Compliance with Regulations and Permits Failing to secure the necessary permits or adhere to building codes can halt a project indefinitely. Planning ensures that all legal requirements are met in advance, avoiding costly fines and legal complications. 6. Seamless Communication and Coordination A structured plan includes clear communication protocols between contractors, architects, engineers, and clients. When everyone is on the same page, mistakes are reduced, and the workflow remains smooth. 7. Improved Project Scheduling A construction schedule outlines each phase of the project, from site preparation to finishing touches. A well-planned schedule helps keep tasks on track, prevents unnecessary delays, and ensures timely project completion. 8. Higher Quality Workmanship Planning allows for a structured approach to quality control. By setting benchmarks, conducting inspections, and using the right materials, projects meet industry standards and client expectations. 9. Better Client Satisfaction When a project is completed on time, within budget, and meets quality expectations, client satisfaction increases. A satisfied client is more likely to recommend your services and return for future projects. Conclusion In construction, planning isn’t just a step—it’s the backbone of success. From budgeting and resource management to compliance and scheduling, thorough planning prevents costly errors, improves efficiency, and ensures a high-quality outcome. Whether you're working on a small driveway installation or a large-scale commercial project, investing time in planning will always pay off in the long run. Do you need expert concrete construction services that prioritize planning and quality? Contact us today!

DESIGNED BY TOC design CONSTRUCTION BY TOC design & Construction inc. PHOTOS BY : Tania Scardellato I was fortunate to have a young family approach me in desperate need to renovate there only 3 piece bathroom. This space was In dire need of a remodel, with old brown wall to wall tiles and a dated bulky yellow brown single sink vanity. Storage was a must, lighting a necessity, and proper accessibility to the shower bath area. We had a tight budget to respect, but a full gut of this bathroom was required. And a good thing too, once we started doing the demolition we noticed that mildew and rotting floors and walls had accumulated throughout the years. Doing it right the first time is no joke when dealing with water and electrical issues. We discarded all reminisce of old and built from scratch, new walls, new plumbing, new electrical ,new insulation and a new window, a new fan that actually exhausted outside ( I say this laughing as you would be amazed at how many fans are installed but don’t exhaust outside, and you the client would never know unless you go inside the attic space. Once all the hard stuff was done, the rest is just a matter of smart design. If you have a small bathroom here are some tips to guide you. 10 tips for making a small bathroom feel larger Is your tiny bathroom cramping your functionality and style, leaving you longing for the enormous bathrooms gracing the pages of design magazines? Even if your bathroom is a fraction of the size, all it takes is some design savvy to make the most of the space you have. Consider these 10 smart tips that will help your bathroom look, feel and function like those larger contenders. 1-Get creative with corners Space is at a premium in small bathrooms, so it's important to maximize every inch. Corners, for example, provide extra space for shelving, storage units and even hooks. Get creative and install unique design solutions that are not only functional, but also eye-catching. If you love the airiness of floating cabinets, add baskets or decorative boxes under for extra storage. If you are installing floating cabinets insure that they are installed securely to studs or plywood at wall. 2- Let solid colors shine Busy patterns have a shrinking effect and make small bathrooms seem even smaller. Conversely, light natural hues make a space feel more open. If you're itching to get creative with design, experiment with textures but keep overpowering patterns to a minimum. Tone on tone is the best to achieve this. 3 - Maximize your bathtub A bathtub takes up a significant portion of the room, but modern, compact options with curved basins, can make the tub feel larger when in use, all while conserving space. 4 - Select a smaller faucet A faucet is jewelry for the bathroom. And just as accessories can overpower an outfit, a big bulky faucet isn't flattering in a small bath. Single-handle designs conserve counter space, while a wall-mount installation frees it up all together and can create quite the wow-factor, if the budget can accommodate the required changes to plumbing behind the wall. 5 - Make vanity storage simple If you're in a storage war with your small bathroom, you're not alone in the battle. Toiletries and personal supplies without a place to call home only add clutter and chaos. Store smart with a space-saving vanity, the dual sink vanity shown here, looks quite simple, but in reality it has 4 sets of full extension drawers, and the vanity tower adds extra storage without overpowering the use of space. 6 - Show off the shower Shower curtains may be pretty, but they interrupt the visual flow of a bathing space and make it feel significantly smaller. In bathrooms with small footprints, opt for a clear glass sliding shower door that doesn't require the clearance of one with a hinged design. Or as shown in this design and for fraction less expensive a half hinged panel installed on a fixed tempered glass panel. If you're embarking on a big remodel, create the illusion of more space by using same tile in the shower that's used throughout; instead of seeing them as two separate zones, the eye will read them as one. 7 - Discover the treasure of hidden storage Work with a contractor, and you just might find some serious storage potential hidden behind your walls. Whether it's utilizing space between the studs for shallow shelving or a creating a small linen closet by annexing space from an adjacent room, even small additions can make a big difference. 8 - Focal Point Tile is a beautiful, durable addition to any bathroom. For dainty spaces, consider installing tile at a diagonal to accentuate the focal point or as in this bathroom I used an oversized textured pattern to bring depth to the space at the window wall. 9 - Choose the right lights Strategically install light to reflect and brighten a small bathroom to make it appear larger. Recessed lighting is an affordable solution for tiny rooms, offering ample light while taking up little space. Wall sconces alongside a mirror also reflect off the walls and make a room feel bright and airy. I always recommend going with LED lighting at 2800 to 3000K. 10 – Accessorize This is your time to shine in your decorating skills, have fun with your towels, you can change the color scheme daily just by adding pops of color in your accessories, make sure to get items that serve a dual purpose, like baskets, boxes they can always be used as hampers, storing of towels and even a nice display for your guest.

This is part of a whole home remodel we completed and featured in the Home Builder's Association Showcase of Remodeled Homes. This room is probably the biggest transformation in the whole home. What was previously an unused garage in the home, will now become a mudroom and entertainment area for the home. We removed non-structural walls at the entry to the rest of the home to allow for more flow from the home into the room. The utility room previously was not actually large enough for the utilities, and there was a hole cut into the wall to allow the unit to fit. To resolve this issue the wall of the utility room was brought out into the space. Additionally, the plumbing and drainage for the water softner was not properly drained from the room and just went through small pvc pipes (that you can see in the photo) that went over the floor to a hole in the center of the room. The plumbing and drainage was completely rebuilt and re-plumbed through the ceilings to drain properly into the house lines. The room also used to be a step down into the garage, so once the plumbing was adjusted a new slab was poured to bring it up to the same level. Heating and electrical were brought into the room to make it a livable space. Can lighting was installed to bring in light without affecting the ceiling height. Team Player (color talented) carpet was installed that ties to the rest of the home. Photo by Laura Cavendish

Our client recently purchased a newly-constructed home in order to downsize and have a low- maintenance home and yard. The existing side yard/back yard was undeveloped by the builder, leaving the homeowner with the huge challenge of creating a great outdoor entertaining space for family and friends, while creating privacy and overcoming the over 8-foot steep drop from the existing back porch down to the alley. The grade was the largest challenge because the space was so narrow with such a large fall from existing porch to the property line. The second largest challenge is that this residence is located in a semi-private community where HOA approval of plans and materials is difficult, as all the residences here share a similar look and feel with a very clean and contemporary aesthetic. We had to precisely shoot grades to know what kinds of retaining walls would need to be constructed along with how much backfill soil and dirt movement would need to be done. After that the design had to carefully consider the space with maximum functionality for outdoor entertainment with newly constructed walls to ensure it would last for many years to come. All of this was done with multiple meetings with the homeowners who are a retired engineer and active architect themselves. Once a design was settled upon, then submission to the HOA board of approval had to be completed and signed off on with all questions and concerns answered for the community by-laws. The two biggest difficulties within the construction phase were that the neighbor next to the back yard had a large retaining wall not properly backfilled up to the property line. That neighbor wouldn’t allow us proper access and control to help alleviate the issues, so we had to skillfully work around this to ensure what we constructed would last, despite their property not being properly addressed. We also had to go through multiple shipments from the manufacturer due to large variances in the material’s appearance on the steps and another shipment that was broken during shipping. These two things delayed the project we were working to complete before the spring so the homeowner could have the maximum use of the space this year. Topping off this challenging construction was a beautiful palette of native grasses, rosemary, groundcover, granite walkways, and synthetic grass to ensure year-round, practically effortless beauty.

©StevenPaulWhitsitt_Photography Frequent entertainers, this large New York family wanted special attention paid to making their new kitchen both stylish and especially welcoming for their guests, so they hired Julie Deuble of Artisan Kitchens & Baths at Appliance Associates. In addition to the logistical issues of working in a high-rise, some of Deuble’s biggest challenges came with incorporating appliances, such as properly venting the 48-inch pro-style range. To integrate several large appliances into the relatively small space while maintaining a seamless appearance, she included custom panels over the refrigerator, dishwasher drawers, and refrigerator drawers. She then housed a microwave and a TV in identical wall cabinets. Since the kitchen opens to the living room, Deuble needed to design it as a space to be shown, not hidden. To achieve this, custom details were included throughout, such as a table-style peninsula with decorative legs, three-stage crown molding, mullion doors, an entertainment center with wine and liquor storage, and a desk designed to match the cabinetry. Well-thoughtout details such as the push-to-open hardware on the peninsula’s full-height cabinet doors provided the finishing touches to this showcase-worthy space. Learn more about this designer at www.artisankitchensandbaths.com.

Our client recently purchased a newly-constructed home in order to downsize and have a low- maintenance home and yard. The existing side yard/back yard was undeveloped by the builder, leaving the homeowner with the huge challenge of creating a great outdoor entertaining space for family and friends, while creating privacy and overcoming the over 8-foot steep drop from the existing back porch down to the alley. The grade was the largest challenge because the space was so narrow with such a large fall from existing porch to the property line. The second largest challenge is that this residence is located in a semi-private community where HOA approval of plans and materials is difficult, as all the residences here share a similar look and feel with a very clean and contemporary aesthetic. We had to precisely shoot grades to know what kinds of retaining walls would need to be constructed along with how much backfill soil and dirt movement would need to be done. After that the design had to carefully consider the space with maximum functionality for outdoor entertainment with newly constructed walls to ensure it would last for many years to come. All of this was done with multiple meetings with the homeowners who are a retired engineer and active architect themselves. Once a design was settled upon, then submission to the HOA board of approval had to be completed and signed off on with all questions and concerns answered for the community by-laws. The two biggest difficulties within the construction phase were that the neighbor next to the back yard had a large retaining wall not properly backfilled up to the property line. That neighbor wouldn’t allow us proper access and control to help alleviate the issues, so we had to skillfully work around this to ensure what we constructed would last, despite their property not being properly addressed. We also had to go through multiple shipments from the manufacturer due to large variances in the material’s appearance on the steps and another shipment that was broken during shipping. These two things delayed the project we were working to complete before the spring so the homeowner could have the maximum use of the space this year. Topping off this challenging construction was a beautiful palette of native grasses, rosemary, groundcover, granite walkways, and synthetic grass to ensure year-round, practically effortless beauty.

Russell Hart - Orlando Interior Photography

©StevenPaulWhitsitt_Photography Frequent entertainers, this large New York family wanted special attention paid to making their new kitchen both stylish and especially welcoming for their guests, so they hired Julie Deuble of Artisan Kitchens & Baths at Appliance Associates. In addition to the logistical issues of working in a high-rise, some of Deuble’s biggest challenges came with incorporating appliances, such as properly venting the 48-inch pro-style range. To integrate several large appliances into the relatively small space while maintaining a seamless appearance, she included custom panels over the refrigerator, dishwasher drawers, and refrigerator drawers. She then housed a microwave and a TV in identical wall cabinets. Since the kitchen opens to the living room, Deuble needed to design it as a space to be shown, not hidden. To achieve this, custom details were included throughout, such as a table-style peninsula with decorative legs, three-stage crown molding, mullion doors, an entertainment center with wine and liquor storage, and a desk designed to match the cabinetry. Well-thoughtout details such as the push-to-open hardware on the peninsula’s full-height cabinet doors provided the finishing touches to this showcase-worthy space. Learn more about this designer at www.artisankitchensandbaths.com.