John Welsh
Example of a trendy medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen design in Wilmington

South Monroe Sanctuary These delightful homeowners wanted to increase their usable patio space, create privacy from pesky neighbors, have a new uniform patio surface (they had aggregate concrete and sandset flagstone), to mask freeway noise and create much needed shade. We started by suggesting they move the hot tub into the body of the pool and relocating the pool equipment to the remote right corner of the yard so you could actually hear people talk while relaxing. Unfortunately, the pool contractor hired by the client turned out to be an absolute nightmare. He went off the air completely for weeks at a time with no communication, creating huge project delays. There appeared to be some issue between him and his subcontractors. The pool contractor installed the pool and pool coping for this project, therefore they are not part of our contract with the homeowner. Despite the challenges and delays with the pool contractor, we were able to move the project forward. We installed drainage, re-graded the property and laid the pavers for the two patios. The existing patio was funky as there was a step down in an awkward location, creating a tripping hazard. We adjusted the step location by making a step up from the infrequently used garage door. Now the patio and walk are all at the same level. We removed some of the existing concrete along the sidewalk so you see a cohesive flow of pavers once you are through the side yard, rather than a mishmash of materials. Installing five 24” box laurels helped with the visual privacy from the pesky neighbors. The water features installed in the pool and the standalone fountain help eliminate the sound of the freeway noise. The focal point of the yard is the wall at the base of the pool, constructed out of cinderblock, finished with beautiful 2” and 3” pieces of K2 Full Range Ashlar stone and a bluestone cap, and water weirs. We added visual green by placing the stepping stones into the lawn, which also draws your attention to the other side of the yard and makes the yard look larger. Reducing the lawn footprint a bit, reducing the patio footprint from 1430 SF to 1140 SF, while increasing the planting beds, all made the yard seem more spacious and lush. We recommended increasing the coping size to 18” wide so there would be enough space to around the pool. Many existing plants and trees remained so we had to match and plan for the future since some existing trees look to be nearing end of life. The owner wanted an all white plant palette and loves shade plants like hydrangeas so we had to find full sun, white flowering plants which met with her approval. Providing much needed shade for this uber hot backyard, the oversized pergola allows for expansion of shaded seating for large parties. The fan helps keep guests cool on hot days and the heaters keep them warm during the fall and spring shoulder seasons. Their budget did not allow for a built in BBQ at the moment so we helped them source a sleek looking MontAlpi BBQ island at a reasonable price point.

Great room - tropical great room idea in Miami with white walls

We used: Custom cherry cabinetry in Arts & Crafts Shaker style by Kabinart in Boulder and Espresso stains. Liberty Hardware Venetian bronze 1-1/2" cabinet knobs. KitchenAid Architect II Series 22 CF counter-depth French door refrigerator. KitchenAid Architect Series II 27" convection single wall oven. KitchenAid 36" 6-burner dual fuel freestanding commercial-style range. KitchenAid Architect II Series 24" dishwasher. Sharp Insight Pro Series 24" built-in microwave drawer (Model #KB6524PS). Crystorama Solaris 12" wide pendant lights in English bronze. Granite countertops in Brown Fantasy. 3"x6" polished marble backsplash. Paint colors: Walls: Glidden Silver Cloud 30YY 63/024 Ceilings/Trims/Doors: Glidden Swan White GLC23 Robert B. Narod Photography

Rob Karosis
Example of a classic hallway design in New York

Design Consultant Jeff Doubét is the author of Creating Spanish Style Homes: Before & After – Techniques – Designs – Insights. The 240 page “Design Consultation in a Book” is now available. Please visit SantaBarbaraHomeDesigner.com for more info. Jeff Doubét specializes in Santa Barbara style home and landscape designs. To learn more info about the variety of custom design services I offer, please visit SantaBarbaraHomeDesigner.com Jeff Doubét is the Founder of Santa Barbara Home Design - a design studio based in Santa Barbara, California USA.

Two Birds Photography
Kids' room - transitional kids' room idea in Chicago

Example of a small classic 3/4 white tile and stone tile mosaic tile floor alcove shower design in Chicago with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, black cabinets, quartzite countertops, a two-piece toilet and gray walls

Photo: Margot Hartford © 2017 Houzz
Entryway - contemporary entryway idea in New York

Jane Benson
Example of a large mountain style wooden l-shaped staircase design with wooden risers

This modern bathroom wall is a very dark grey tile made from recycled stone dust. Its color is PB 3106 Dark Grey and is in the brushed texture.
Example of a mid-sized minimalist master gray tile and stone tile bathroom design in Miami with gray walls

Exterior, brick, lime, limewash, painted brick, architectural finish

Full-overlay Rustic Beech cabinets in the "Charleston" door style and "Briarwood" finish. Village Home Stores
Example of a large mountain style kitchen design in Chicago

Shake Siding Close Up A Cape Cod style house with Alside Pelican Bay cedar shake siding, Color: Cape Cod Gray. Installed by Sidetex in North Haven CT 06473

Avesha Michael
Inspiration for a small modern master white tile and marble tile concrete floor and gray floor home design remodel in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, a drop-in sink, quartz countertops and white countertops

Diane Johnson
Inspiration for an industrial home theater remodel in Atlanta

The ground floor volumes wrapped in an elongated hand-fired brick, emphasizing the horizontality of the architecture that lays solidly on the land. (Photography by: Matthew Millman)