Owning a property with beautiful trees is a blessing, especially when those trees are more than a decade old. Established trees are often a selling point due to their aesthetic appeal and natural environmental benefits. Not only will trees create a sense of serenity, but they will also offer privacy for your family in the form of green foliage. Trees can do a lot for your property, but it is really important to invest in tree care to ensure that they thrive. Hiring the professionals here at Five Star Tree Services will keep your trees healthy and well pruned, and here are a few reasons why. Professional Tree Care Advantages There are various species of trees all of which need specialized care. Some may thrive in full sun while others need partial or full shade. Moisture needs will vary from season to season in addition to species to species. Even the age of a tree can dictate the type of care it needs to thrive. Professional tree care services are able to properly care for your trees in a way that ensures they get the best care possible. Tree care specialists are trained in the care of hundreds if not thousands of tree species which gives them the knowledge to offer customized services for every yard. Professional Tree Care Equipment A professional tree service will also have all of the right tools needed to get the job done. Equipping your shed for proper tree care can get expensive, and chances are you won’t have the right skills required to operate all of the equipment needed for professional tree care. Hiring the professionals will ensure that the right tools and the right knowledge is used to care for the trees on your property. Consistent Maintenance As we already mentioned, different types of trees need different care. They also need their care to be administered on a regular basis. Homeowners no matter how well-meaning can become lax on regular maintenance, but with a professional service, you never have to worry. Tree care services can come out on a set schedule to prune, water, feed, and care for your trees. This will ensure they are always healthy and will better enable you to spot problems that develop before they are too serious to treat. Your trees will also get trimmed properly and on schedule which will add to the overall aesthetic appeal of your yard. Neat Yard Keeping your yard neat and tidy is very important. It will help reduce the chance of pests hanging out on your property and increase the curb appeal of your home. Working with a professional company gives you years worth of experience that will come into play when landscaping and shaping the look of your yard. Safe Tree Care Trimming a tree and other tree care can be dangerous if you don’t know what you are doing. Not only can you get hurt in a fall, but improper tool operation can also result in injuries. A professional tree care company will have the training and the safety equipment needed to minimize the risks while caring for the trees on your property. If you are in need of Tree Care in Toronto, a specialist here at Five Star Tree Services can help. Give us a call at (416) 990-3355 to find out more today.

California Coastal Play Room Color and Pattern are the theme of the space. One of the reasons I love doing kid spaces is that you can go a little wild with color! Photo Credit: Amy Bartlam

Our client’s charming cottage was no longer meeting the needs of their family. We needed to give them more space but not lose the quaint characteristics that make this little historic home so unique. So we didn’t go up, and we didn’t go wide, instead we took this master suite addition straight out into the backyard and maintained 100% of the original historic façade. Master Suite This master suite is truly a private retreat. We were able to create a variety of zones in this suite to allow room for a good night’s sleep, reading by a roaring fire, or catching up on correspondence. The fireplace became the real focal point in this suite. Wrapped in herringbone whitewashed wood planks and accented with a dark stone hearth and wood mantle, we can’t take our eyes off this beauty. With its own private deck and access to the backyard, there is really no reason to ever leave this little sanctuary. Master Bathroom The master bathroom meets all the homeowner’s modern needs but has plenty of cozy accents that make it feel right at home in the rest of the space. A natural wood vanity with a mixture of brass and bronze metals gives us the right amount of warmth, and contrasts beautifully with the off-white floor tile and its vintage hex shape. Now the shower is where we had a little fun, we introduced the soft matte blue/green tile with satin brass accents, and solid quartz floor (do you see those veins?!). And the commode room is where we had a lot fun, the leopard print wallpaper gives us all lux vibes (rawr!) and pairs just perfectly with the hex floor tile and vintage door hardware. Hall Bathroom We wanted the hall bathroom to drip with vintage charm as well but opted to play with a simpler color palette in this space. We utilized black and white tile with fun patterns (like the little boarder on the floor) and kept this room feeling crisp and bright.

This amazing vanishing edge overlooks a beautiful lake and the spa is handicapped accessible! the beautiful symmetric waterfalls on each side accentuates the rustic look of the architecture of the house! The tile that was selected is quite unique as it displays a huge variety of different shades of browns and blues to match those waterfalls!

Our client’s charming cottage was no longer meeting the needs of their family. We needed to give them more space but not lose the quaint characteristics that make this little historic home so unique. So we didn’t go up, and we didn’t go wide, instead we took this master suite addition straight out into the backyard and maintained 100% of the original historic façade. Master Suite This master suite is truly a private retreat. We were able to create a variety of zones in this suite to allow room for a good night’s sleep, reading by a roaring fire, or catching up on correspondence. The fireplace became the real focal point in this suite. Wrapped in herringbone whitewashed wood planks and accented with a dark stone hearth and wood mantle, we can’t take our eyes off this beauty. With its own private deck and access to the backyard, there is really no reason to ever leave this little sanctuary. Master Bathroom The master bathroom meets all the homeowner’s modern needs but has plenty of cozy accents that make it feel right at home in the rest of the space. A natural wood vanity with a mixture of brass and bronze metals gives us the right amount of warmth, and contrasts beautifully with the off-white floor tile and its vintage hex shape. Now the shower is where we had a little fun, we introduced the soft matte blue/green tile with satin brass accents, and solid quartz floor (do you see those veins?!). And the commode room is where we had a lot fun, the leopard print wallpaper gives us all lux vibes (rawr!) and pairs just perfectly with the hex floor tile and vintage door hardware. Hall Bathroom We wanted the hall bathroom to drip with vintage charm as well but opted to play with a simpler color palette in this space. We utilized black and white tile with fun patterns (like the little boarder on the floor) and kept this room feeling crisp and bright.

Objective: The clients childhood memories of a home previously stayed in as a young girl played a vital role in the decision to totally transform a part of history into a modern retreat for this couple. Solution: Demo of every room began. One brick wall and center support wall stayed while everything else was demolished. We rearranged each room to create the perfect home for the soon to be retired couple. The clients love being outside which is the reasoning for all of large window and sliding doors which lead to the pool and manicured grounds. A new master suite was created, new guest room with ensuite bath, laundry room, small family room, oversized living room, dining room, kitchen, dish pantry, and powder bath were all totally reimagined to give this family everything they wanted. Furnishings brought from the previous home, revived heirlooms, and new pieces all combined to create this modern, yet warm inviting home. In the powder bath a classic pedestal sink, marble mosaic floors, and simple baseboards were the perfect pairing for this dramatic wallpaper. After construction, a vintage art piece was revived from storage to become the perfect juxtaposed piece to complete the powder bath. The kitchen is a chef’s dream with clean lined cabinets, white quartz countertops and plenty of seating for casual eating.

This 2017 Project begins with a wonderful Palo Alto family of four wanted to get more use of their backyard. Their existing backyard had served its purpose for many years when their children were young. Now their children in college, it was underused and in desperate need of an update. Having lived in their home for 19 years, my clients communicated clearly with goals to take advantage of the reason they moved to Palo Alto in the first place. Both desire spending more time for themselves enjoying our year round climate in Northern California. By initially addressing the specific request to decrease the water usage and the accompanying utility bills, objective for addition of a fire pit to the existing spa destination; both sharing their spaces for also a new destination of the turf for the husband, and avid golfer. John had always wanted to practice in his own backyard. Viola! The perfect place to entertain, dine, relax and play! NO RESERVATIONS REQUIRED! A very comfortable, attractive and inviting new outdoor living room has been created! Welcome Home!

Objective: The clients childhood memories of a home previously stayed in as a young girl played a vital role in the decision to totally transform a part of history into a modern retreat for this couple. Solution: Demo of every room began. One brick wall and center support wall stayed while everything else was demolished. We rearranged each room to create the perfect home for the soon to be retired couple. The clients love being outside which is the reasoning for all of large window and sliding doors which lead to the pool and manicured grounds. A new master suite was created, new guest room with ensuite bath, laundry room, small family room, oversized living room, dining room, kitchen, dish pantry, and powder bath were all totally reimagined to give this family everything they wanted. Furnishings brought from the previous home, revived heirlooms, and new pieces all combined to create this modern, yet warm inviting home. In the powder bath a classic pedestal sink, marble mosaic floors, and simple baseboards were the perfect pairing for this dramatic wallpaper. After construction, a vintage art piece was revived from storage to become the perfect juxtaposed piece to complete the powder bath. The kitchen is a chef’s dream with clean lined cabinets, white quartz countertops and plenty of seating for casual eating.

Objective: The clients childhood memories of a home previously stayed in as a young girl played a vital role in the decision to totally transform a part of history into a modern retreat for this couple. Solution: Demo of every room began. One brick wall and center support wall stayed while everything else was demolished. We rearranged each room to create the perfect home for the soon to be retired couple. The clients love being outside which is the reasoning for all of large window and sliding doors which lead to the pool and manicured grounds. A new master suite was created, new guest room with ensuite bath, laundry room, small family room, oversized living room, dining room, kitchen, dish pantry, and powder bath were all totally reimagined to give this family everything they wanted. Furnishings brought from the previous home, revived heirlooms, and new pieces all combined to create this modern, yet warm inviting home. In the powder bath a classic pedestal sink, marble mosaic floors, and simple baseboards were the perfect pairing for this dramatic wallpaper. After construction, a vintage art piece was revived from storage to become the perfect juxtaposed piece to complete the powder bath. The kitchen is a chef’s dream with clean lined cabinets, white quartz countertops and plenty of seating for casual eating.

Photo of a modern landscaping.

The views from this vacation property really speak for themselves, and so it stands to reason that this client wanted to keep the million-dollar views in-tact. To do so, the entire living space is perched above the garage, somewhat like a grown-up tree house, where scenic glaciers, mountains, and farmland are not obstructed by the home's structure. In fact, the kitchen features oversized windows across the back of the counters, with cabinets only placed down below and on the interior wall to maximize on this view. A vacation home is also the perfect place to add in a little playfulness (as if the idea of a treehouse isn’t fun enough), and the Cameron’s enjoyed collaborating with the owners on the funky bathroom tile design and fixtures. These avid skiers desired a second home that was not only close to the slopes but offered the perfect après ski environment. They also wanted the property to feel just as inviting during the summer months when the only skiing takes place on the water.

Our client’s charming cottage was no longer meeting the needs of their family. We needed to give them more space but not lose the quaint characteristics that make this little historic home so unique. So we didn’t go up, and we didn’t go wide, instead we took this master suite addition straight out into the backyard and maintained 100% of the original historic façade. Master Suite This master suite is truly a private retreat. We were able to create a variety of zones in this suite to allow room for a good night’s sleep, reading by a roaring fire, or catching up on correspondence. The fireplace became the real focal point in this suite. Wrapped in herringbone whitewashed wood planks and accented with a dark stone hearth and wood mantle, we can’t take our eyes off this beauty. With its own private deck and access to the backyard, there is really no reason to ever leave this little sanctuary. Master Bathroom The master bathroom meets all the homeowner’s modern needs but has plenty of cozy accents that make it feel right at home in the rest of the space. A natural wood vanity with a mixture of brass and bronze metals gives us the right amount of warmth, and contrasts beautifully with the off-white floor tile and its vintage hex shape. Now the shower is where we had a little fun, we introduced the soft matte blue/green tile with satin brass accents, and solid quartz floor (do you see those veins?!). And the commode room is where we had a lot fun, the leopard print wallpaper gives us all lux vibes (rawr!) and pairs just perfectly with the hex floor tile and vintage door hardware. Hall Bathroom We wanted the hall bathroom to drip with vintage charm as well but opted to play with a simpler color palette in this space. We utilized black and white tile with fun patterns (like the little boarder on the floor) and kept this room feeling crisp and bright.

Objective: The clients childhood memories of a home previously stayed in as a young girl played a vital role in the decision to totally transform a part of history into a modern retreat for this couple. Solution: Demo of every room began. One brick wall and center support wall stayed while everything else was demolished. We rearranged each room to create the perfect home for the soon to be retired couple. The clients love being outside which is the reasoning for all of large window and sliding doors which lead to the pool and manicured grounds. A new master suite was created, new guest room with ensuite bath, laundry room, small family room, oversized living room, dining room, kitchen, dish pantry, and powder bath were all totally reimagined to give this family everything they wanted. Furnishings brought from the previous home, revived heirlooms, and new pieces all combined to create this modern, yet warm inviting home. In the powder bath a classic pedestal sink, marble mosaic floors, and simple baseboards were the perfect pairing for this dramatic wallpaper. After construction, a vintage art piece was revived from storage to become the perfect juxtaposed piece to complete the powder bath. The kitchen is a chef’s dream with clean lined cabinets, white quartz countertops and plenty of seating for casual eating.

Colonial reimagined! This traditional New Jersey colonial style family home was in need of an update to fit the family’s needs. The living room specifically was stuffy and hardly used. The goal was to take this colonial traditional home and give it a new direction! Where to start? The Floors! This room was carpeted and just did not wear well- so we recommended a change in all the flooring to a new wood stained with a light touch. This provided the backdrop to make some major changes in the style of the room. The client’s were very trusting as we had worked with them before- and when we suggested a black greek key grasscloth- we were happily surprised they embraced the idea. Sexy but comfortable The client wanted to be able to come into this room for specific reasons- to read and relax without television, to play the piano and to entertain. The room needed a cozy and cohesive style and with comfortable furnishings and a place to display treasures. A bar was a nice touch too!

The views from this vacation property really speak for themselves, and so it stands to reason that this client wanted to keep the million-dollar views in-tact. To do so, the entire living space is perched above the garage, somewhat like a grown-up tree house, where scenic glaciers, mountains, and farmland are not obstructed by the home's structure. In fact, the kitchen features oversized windows across the back of the counters, with cabinets only placed down below and on the interior wall to maximize on this view. A vacation home is also the perfect place to add in a little playfulness (as if the idea of a treehouse isn’t fun enough), and the Cameron’s enjoyed collaborating with the owners on the funky bathroom tile design and fixtures. These avid skiers desired a second home that was not only close to the slopes but offered the perfect après ski environment. They also wanted the property to feel just as inviting during the summer months when the only skiing takes place on the water.

Our client’s charming cottage was no longer meeting the needs of their family. We needed to give them more space but not lose the quaint characteristics that make this little historic home so unique. So we didn’t go up, and we didn’t go wide, instead we took this master suite addition straight out into the backyard and maintained 100% of the original historic façade. Master Suite This master suite is truly a private retreat. We were able to create a variety of zones in this suite to allow room for a good night’s sleep, reading by a roaring fire, or catching up on correspondence. The fireplace became the real focal point in this suite. Wrapped in herringbone whitewashed wood planks and accented with a dark stone hearth and wood mantle, we can’t take our eyes off this beauty. With its own private deck and access to the backyard, there is really no reason to ever leave this little sanctuary. Master Bathroom The master bathroom meets all the homeowner’s modern needs but has plenty of cozy accents that make it feel right at home in the rest of the space. A natural wood vanity with a mixture of brass and bronze metals gives us the right amount of warmth, and contrasts beautifully with the off-white floor tile and its vintage hex shape. Now the shower is where we had a little fun, we introduced the soft matte blue/green tile with satin brass accents, and solid quartz floor (do you see those veins?!). And the commode room is where we had a lot fun, the leopard print wallpaper gives us all lux vibes (rawr!) and pairs just perfectly with the hex floor tile and vintage door hardware. Hall Bathroom We wanted the hall bathroom to drip with vintage charm as well but opted to play with a simpler color palette in this space. We utilized black and white tile with fun patterns (like the little boarder on the floor) and kept this room feeling crisp and bright.

A youthful spirit enlivens Brio, a collection of contemporary rugs with joie de vivre! Punctuated by bold color and large-scale designs, this playful range packs a powerful design punch at a reasonable price.

These clients were in the second stage of renovating their stylish Tudor when we were approached to help formulate a final design plan for entertainment, technology integration and lighting design and control systems. Although the plan was to implement the final completion of these systems in stages, we needed to prepare the appropriate wiring to accomplish the end goals. We provided a lighting design plan for the areas under construction and some simple control solutions from Lutron and Universal Remote Control. Once the Family room was completed we brought in the BDI Novia A/V Cabinet in Coco stained Cherry. This excellent piece of A/V furniture was just large enough to house the entertainment system along with the homes WiFi router. The A/V system was built around a Denon AVR 3809Ci. Source components consisted of Comcast Cable HD DVR, Samsung Blu-Ray DVD player and an Apple TV. The Apple TV was the primarily used for playing the clients music and sharing their family pictures on the 50” Samsung LED TV. The Samsung Blu-Ray DVD player was designed with an internet application for Pandora Radio which is a great way to experience a wide variety of music by creating sets of personable radio stations. Listing to the entertainment system is a real joy with the Totem Tribe in-wall speakers. These sealed cabinet in-wall speakers are some of the best in the world for a very reasonable price. The Velodyne MiniVee 10 was used as the subwoofer. Panamax surge protection was incorporated for everything including the TV. The Universal Remote Control MX-980 was programmed to operate the primary entertainment system along with multiple audio zones for Kitchen, Dining, Patio, Master Bed & Bathroom through the Aton DLA6 zoned speaker selector and volume controller. Additional MX900 was used to support the master suite control within that area. A Lutron Graphic eye was used in the Dining room to manage all of the lighting scenes while the Family room was controlled via the MX-980 remote and RF replacement wall dimmers. This was a great balance of budget and appropriate user interface options. Client

"LEVANTE table in mixed materials: wooden base, metal guides and glass top. A table combining the tactile nature of wood with the transparency of the glass top which reveals a touch of colour, given by the two aluminium guides. The table is fitted with two side extension leaves to seat several guests. Many combinations are possible thanks to the different colour finishes of the three elements. An amazing timeless mix that can be easily matched to several chairs in the Calligaris collection. Choose the combination that suits you the most and play with colours! Calligaris: Italian Smart Design since 1923 What does ""smart"" mean for us? Smart is harmony between technique and aesthetics, between reason and emotion, because each Calligaris piece encloses the know-how of our experienced designers and our creativity applied to contemporary living."