This garden is comprised of CA native plants, a dry river bed to redirect the rainwater, a funky gravel driveway and two rain tanks. This garden also has no irrigation system and is thriving just fine.

All plants were removed. The existing soil was heavily amended with composted cattle manure and worm castings to add much needed nutrients and hold moisture closer to the surface. Rain water was redirected into the garden to provide natural irrigation and give the new plantings a chance to compete with the Maple Trees. Updated photos to come in 2018 as this garden fills in and blooms.

**Please Note--If you click on the tags in this photo you may NOT be taken to the actual vendors. Anyone may tag photos and redirect you to their own site. Bachelor Chest covered with Robert Allen fabric. Photo by: Donovan Witmer

The Science of Light and Learning To understand the relationship between lighting and learning, it’s critical to grasp the concept of correlated colour temperature (CCT). CCT refers to the warmth or coolness of light, measured in Kelvin (K). Lower CCTs (around 3000K) provide a warm, cosy atmosphere, while higher CCTs (5000K or above) emit a cool, daylight-like glow. Studies have shown that cool white light, which mimics natural daylight, can increase alertness and mood, contributing to improved cognitive performance. LED lighting, with its ability to produce this desired CCT, makes an ideal choice for educational settings. LED Lighting: Brightening the Future of Education Energy Efficiency and Cost Effectiveness One of the main advantages of LED lighting is its energy efficiency. Traditional lighting solutions like fluorescent and incandescent bulbs consume much more energy to produce the same amount of light as LEDs, which is not only environmentally harmful but also financially costly. Switching to LED lights can result in substantial cost savings for schools, enabling them to redirect funds to other critical areas of education. Durability and Longevity LED lights are renowned for their durability and longevity. They have a significantly longer lifespan compared to conventional lights, which means less frequent replacement and reduced maintenance costs. This durability also minimises disruptions caused by light failure, providing a consistent, well-lit learning environment. Improved Visibility and Reduced Eye Strain With their superior colour rendering index (CRI), LED lights render colours more accurately, leading to improved visibility. This is particularly beneficial in educational settings, where activities often require distinguishing fine details and colours. LED lights also emit less glare than traditional lighting solutions, reducing eye strain and fatigue. This can lead to better concentration and increased comfort for both students and teachers. Incorporating LED Lighting in Classrooms: Practical Considerations When transitioning to LED lighting in classrooms, a few key factors need to be taken into account. Firstly, the lighting design should ensure an even distribution of light, preventing shadowy or overly bright spots that could distract or discomfort students. Secondly, the integration of dimming capabilities can provide flexibility, allowing educators to adjust the lighting level based on the task at hand. Finally, lighting controls can be used to take advantage of natural light, automatically dimming or turning off the LEDs when sufficient daylight is present. Conclusion: The Bright Promise of LED Lighting in Education As education systems continue to evolve, it’s imperative to keep sight of the physical factors that significantly impact learning, one of which is lighting. LED technology, with its myriad benefits, offers an innovative and effective way to enhance the quality of lighting in classrooms. By prioritising investments in such improvements, we can take a significant step towards creating an optimised learning environment that nurtures the educational success of future generations.

This room was completely dysfunctional with a fireplace on one wall and the TV all the way across the room on the opposite wall. They never used it, so we closed it in and redirected the focal point to fit their needs. The partial wall/soffit was removed between the family room and kitchen eating area creating an unobstructed view to the game. Photo by Brian Bossert Photography.

2012 NARI CAPITAL COTY, MERIT AWARD WINNER, RESIDENTIAL BASEMENT INTERIOR A newer house in the suburb of Ashburn, Virginia, is home to this military couple. With a growing family and a daughter moving back home, they were in need of more space. An unfinished basement offered plenty of space for a remodel, but coming up with a desirable floor plan was difficult due to the location of a stairway that the builder had installed and the location of the furnace and hot water heater. Working with Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes, the couple came up with a plan that moved the furnace and hot water heater to a storage room and redirected the stairway in order to create a workable layout. The primary goal was to have a home office, full bathroom, guest bedroom and a large entertaining area. The focal point of the design is a new gas fireplace embedded in ledge stone with a large LED television above it. A bar with custom cabinetry, exotic stone countertops and decorative pendant lighting creates a central area for the family to gather.

During - 2016 - Was all weeds/turf approx 3 years ago. Solarized and smothered entire lawn in stages in 2013. Redirected water by digging a "dry creek" bed 1-2 feet and filling with gravel in 2013. Covered with cobblestone in 2016. Landscaped over past 3 years with azaleas, rhododendron, ferns, lamium, delphinium, carpet roses (drought tolerant), iceberg roses and a 50 year old Chrysler Imperial rose transplanted from the back yard. Also, ground cover herbs such as lemon thyme, creeping thyme, compact oregano and corsican mint (as well as alyssum). Walkway replaced with pavers in 2016. Flagstone walkway to driveway being placed. Will also be re-mulched. Facing North.

This sophisticated and warm music room opens up to the dining area through a recessed pocket door, which is a new entry to help redirect the flow of traffic through this Brighton home. Photography by OnSite Studios: Jay@onsitestudios.com

2012 NARI CAPITAL COTY, MERIT AWARD WINNER, RESIDENTIAL BASEMENT INTERIOR A newer house in the suburb of Ashburn, Virginia, is home to this military couple. With a growing family and a daughter moving back home, they were in need of more space. An unfinished basement offered plenty of space for a remodel, but coming up with a desirable floor plan was difficult due to the location of a stairway that the builder had installed and the location of the furnace and hot water heater. Working with Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes, the couple came up with a plan that moved the furnace and hot water heater to a storage room and redirected the stairway in order to create a workable layout. The primary goal was to have a home office, full bathroom, guest bedroom and a large entertaining area. The focal point of the design is a new gas fireplace embedded in ledge stone with a large LED television above it. A bar with custom cabinetry, exotic stone countertops and decorative pendant lighting creates a central area for the family to gather.

**Please Note--If you click on the tags in this photo you may NOT be taken to the actual vendors. Anyone may tag photos and redirect you to their own site. Photo:Donovan Roberts Witmer

Exterior of kitchen addition designed to redirect the family living area towards the back yard.
Home design - cottage home design idea in DC Metro

We needed to cull furniture from the hearth room in order to move traffic to the formal living room. We moved a sectional to the upper level, leaving just two lounge chairs and added an extra-large leather ottoman. This adjustment transformed the area into a space for intimate conversation, and redirected traffic as desired. DaubmanPhotography@Cox.net

The challenge: Create a dual office that can be closed and secured when the weather turns ugly and soccer practice comes inside. In addition, incorporate design feature to redirect heat from wall-length baseboard. The result: Large-scale custom cabinets open to reveal individualized offices—a balance of performance and design. Pocket doors disappear, creating leg room below and exposing open work areas above. File drawers are in abundance and a supply cabinet in between provides the two spaces with ample storage for office necessities. When closed, the doors protect computers and technology creating a barrier against whatever life throws at them. An inset backer board channels heat from baseboard to air vents above and below cabinets. Kara Lashuay

Typical of bungalows and city lots, the footprint of this home was narrow with living spaces in front, bedrooms in back and kitchen centrally located. However, unlike most bungalows, the hall running from front to back have been closed off to, presumably, accommodate a walk-in pantry. Couple that with the fact that this circa 1925 bungalow had seen a lot of living – read boisterous children and remodeling trends like z-brick, soffits, and fluorescent overhead lighting – the kitchen was due for a major overhaul. Truly the hub of this house, the modest 11’ x 12’ kitchen was most in need of additional countertop space, convenient garbage/recycle bin, counter-depth refrigerator, storage aids, informal dining for two, and sound-proofing to enable this musically adept family to coexist despite varied schedules. Gone are the wall soffits, boxy overhead lighting, six-foot baseboard heat unit, extra deep refrigerator, refurbished cabinets, laminate countertops, z-brick wall covering, and makeshift door swags. Enter rich mahogany cabinets, roll and pull-out storage units, endcap spice storage, gorgeous granite tops, marble backsplash, LED lighting, acoustic insulation and solid-wood doors. Under the guise of such a handsome room, provisions such as a period style sink allow for more efficient use of corners with pull-out half-moon trays for storage. Redirecting the baseboard heat to a compact, toekick unit, means more cabinet and counter space – perfect for a baking and/or entertaining area removed from the basic work triangle. The eating area, also, doubles as a work station with drawers for office supplies and dedicated outlet for cable tv. Functional yet beautiful, this kitchen is at the ready as its owners look forward to their golden years. Designed by: The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn Photography by: Dawn Jackman For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com URL http://www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

The project began with this request to have a home that was understated but uniquely unfolded after entering. Each living space redirects orientation; expansive courtyard views shift to private gardens, and neighborhood foliage is displayed in vaulted clerestory windows, also giving unexpected volume to the low-slung house. The house is organized around an existing pecan tree and proposed pool with bedrooms off the courtyard. The living room and master bedroom bookend this oasis with covered patios under the canopy overlooking the pool.

We transformed this unkept, uneven backyard into a clean, functional space for both relaxation and play. The homeowners wanted areas to entertain and lounge while their kids had room to enjoy the outdoors. We regraded the yard, managed drainage, and installed a spacious flagstone patio and walkways. Water runoff is now redirected to support a future rain garden, setting the stage for sustainable planting. In the next phase, we’ll install native plants including edible berries, small trees, ferns, and more. This project is a perfect blend of form and function—turning a neglected space into a beautiful, family-friendly retreat.

The intent in this project was to transform the least used space in the back yard into a vital entertaining space. The bluestone patio became an extension of the front bluestone walkway anchored by the stone fireplace. The fireplace / pizza oven becomes the lively center of attention. As a result the fireplace breaks up the linearity of fence beyond and redirects views upwards towards open view to sky.

2012 NARI CAPITAL COTY, MERIT AWARD WINNER, RESIDENTIAL BASEMENT INTERIOR A newer house in the suburb of Ashburn, Virginia, is home to this military couple. With a growing family and a daughter moving back home, they were in need of more space. An unfinished basement offered plenty of space for a remodel, but coming up with a desirable floor plan was difficult due to the location of a stairway that the builder had installed and the location of the furnace and hot water heater. Working with Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes, the couple came up with a plan that moved the furnace and hot water heater to a storage room and redirected the stairway in order to create a workable layout. The primary goal was to have a home office, full bathroom, guest bedroom and a large entertaining area. The focal point of the design is a new gas fireplace embedded in ledge stone with a large LED television above it. A bar with custom cabinetry, exotic stone countertops and decorative pendant lighting creates a central area for the family to gather.

Miro Simecek
Deck - mid-sized modern backyard deck idea in Toronto with no cover